DNA Day at the FamilySearch Library
DNA Day!
World DNA Day is Sunday, April 25, 2021. Come celebrate with FamilySearch and the Family History Library on Monday, April 26, 2021. The Library will be sponsoring six DNA related classes. Classes will be taught via Zoom and broadcast live to RootsTech.org. Additional, DNA classes and resources will also be highlighted.
DNA Day at the FHL
Wondering what all the hype is about DNA? Come learn about DNA, find out if taking a DNA test is right for you, which tests you can take, and how it might help you in your family history.
Schedule
| Time | Class Title | Description | View Online | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9:00am MDT |
Why Genealogists Use DNA |
Join us as we discuss the science behind DNA; how it recombines and is inherited and why a test might be helpful in answering some of your genealogy research questions. |
Register View Online |
See Below |
|
9:45am MDT |
How Genealogists Use DNA |
This class will discuss the types of DNA tests used for genealogy, the companies that provide them, and which test will best help you with your DNA research problem. |
Register View Online |
See Below |
|
10:30am MDT |
Grouping DNA Matches |
The process of clustering or grouping your DNA matches into genetic networks is an essential part of using DNA for genealogy research. This class will introduce the concept of clustering and walk you through the process of grouping your own DNA matches. |
Register View Online |
See Below |
|
1:00pm MDT |
Using DNA to Determine Relationships |
Your DNA matches are probably your relatives. But a DNA test only suggests a relationship exists. This class will walk you through the process of determining the common ancestor between you and a DNA match or among a cluster of DNA matches. |
Register View Online |
See Below |
|
2:15pm MDT |
Using DNA to Find Unknown Parents: A Case Study |
Come see how DNA and traditional genealogical research were used to identify an unknown biological parent. |
Register View Online |
See Below |
|
3:00pm MDT |
Using DNA to Solve a Brick Wall: A Case Study |
Come see how DNA and traditional genealogical research were used to solve a brick wall research problem. |
Register View Online |
See Below |
Understanding and using DNA in genealogy research sometimes require additional study. Key steps, process, and additional resources for each class are listed below.
Why Genealogists Use DNA
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Additional Resources
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How Genealogists Use DNA
There are currently five DNA testing companies who test both ethnicity and provide match lists: AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage DNA, and Living DNA. The match lists are essential to using DNA in family history research. A comparison chart is at the right and more information on these companies can be found here.
Autosomal DNA (atDNA)
Autosomal DNA or atDNA testing can help with the following research questions.
- Adoption and unknown parentage questions
- Eliminating one of two possible ancestors
- Finding up to about 3x great-grandparents
Y-DNA
Y-DNA testing can help with the following research questions.
- An unknown father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc.
- Surname projects
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA is most useful when used in conjunction with atDNA on the maternal line.
Grouping DNA Matches
After taking a DNA test, most people have thousands if not hundreds of thousands of DNA matches. Clustering or building genetic networks is the process of grouping those matches based on which ancestor or ancestral line through which they relate. To create a cluster:
- Start with a match, if possible, determine your relationship
- Assign a colored dot (on Ancestry) or create a list of people in the cluster
- Use the shared matches feature to identify other matches who also share DNA with you and the match; add them to the cluster
- Repeat with other members of the cluster until the cluster has been mostly identified
- Name your cluster either using the name through which these people relate; if common ancestor is unknown, mark it as unknown
A cluster has been created.
Additional Resources
- Learn more about the Leeds Method at https://www.danaleeds.com/the-leeds-method/ and https://www.yourdnaguide.com/leeds-method
- AutoClusters are available from MyHeritage, Genetic Affairs, GEDMatch, and DNAGedcom. Note that AutoClustering is usually a Tier 1 or subscription service.
Using DNA to Determine Relationships
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Additional Resources
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Using DNA to Find Unknown Parents: A Case Study
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Additional Resources
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Using DNA to Solve a Brick Wall: A Case Study
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Additional Resources
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Past DNA Day Celebrations
The Family History Library first celebrated DNA Day on April 25, 2019. Classes taught included: