Have your DNA results suggested a connection to someone famous? We hope this article helps you dig a little deeper into those eye-catching matches—whether it’s a royal ancestor, a legendary musician, or a historical icon—and better understand what the DNA and famous connections might really mean. You take a genetic genealogy test, and a few weeks later you get your results. Included in those results are ethnicity admixture percentages and estimates, a list of other customers who share DNA … [Read more...]
Searching, Sorting, and Filtering DNA Match Lists
This article was written by Paul Woodbury, a member of our Legacy Tree Genealogist Research staff. It was originally published in NGS Magazine, a National Genealogical Society publication. Source: NGS MAGAZINE ∙ APRIL - JUNE 2024 ∙ VOLUME 50, NUMBER 2 Lists of DNA matches and genetic cousins can be overwhelming. How can genealogists begin to make sense of hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of DNA matches and how they might be related? How can they hope to narrow their focus in … [Read more...]
How To Use Catholic Christening and Baptism Records Around the World
Catholic christening and baptism records are an important resource for genealogical research in timeframes before the advent of government-sponsored civil registration. However, practices surrounding baptism, christening, and the creation of records documenting those events vary between religious traditions. In this blog series, we explore some of the varied practices and content of christening and baptism records in different Christian traditions. This article explores baptism and christening … [Read more...]
How To Achieve Genealogical Proof: DNA Analysis, Annotations, and Citations
The Genealogical Proof Standard outlines five components necessary for achieving genealogical proof: Reasonably exhaustive research Complete and accurate source citations Critical tests of relevant evidence through processes of analysis and correlation Resolution of conflicting evidence Soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusions At 23andMe notes can be added by scrolling to the bottom of a match’s profile. Citation: 23andMe, “Notes,” … [Read more...]
Genetic Genealogy Mysteries: How to proceed if a DNA match never responds
This article written by Paul Woodbury about finding a DNA match even if they don't respond first appeared in an issue of DNA Discovery. It is republished here with permission from the author and the publication. Enjoy learning about how to verify genetic matches under challenging circumstances! In a previous article, I discussed tips for effective communication and collaboration with DNA matches. Collaboration is often the most efficient means of learning the nature of a genealogical … [Read more...]
Using DNA For Genealogy Research: tools for evaluating total shared centimorgans
This chart from the Shared cM Project shows ranges of total shared cMs observed for known relationship levels at each of the major DNA testing companies. An interactive version is available through DNA Painter’s Shared cM Project Tool. Courtesy of Blaine T. Bettinger, thegeneticgenealogist.com, CC 4.0 Attribution License. In previous articles, I have introduced the Shared cM Project and tools for evaluating shared DNA at DNA Painter. This column explores the resources in more detail and … [Read more...]
How To Create Diagrams and Charts for Genetic Genealogy Research
This article is based on a similar article in the July - September 2022 issue of NGS Magazine and is republished here with permission. The Leeds Method, developed by Dana Leeds, enables genetic genealogy researchers to identify clusters of genetic cousins, based on color-code assignment of close matches and their shared genetic cousins. Chart created by author. Genealogists reporting on research should consider the use of charts, diagrams, tables, maps, and other figures to clearly … [Read more...]
Five Tips for Contacting Genetic Cousins
Prior to contacting a genetic cousin, perform a preliminary search to estimate the potential nature of the relationship, what ancestral line may be the source of the shared DNA, and whether there are any shared ancestral locations, surnames or ancestor. Including details from this preliminary search in initial contacts can increase the chances of a response. (This article first appeared in DNA Discovery and has been republished here with permission). In all genealogical investigation, … [Read more...]