DNA Day at the FamilySearch Library
DNA Day![edit | edit source]
National DNA Day is Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Come celebrate with the FamilySearch Library and RootsTech. The Library, in partnership with RootsTech, is sponsoring seven DNA related classes. Classes will be taught via Zoom and broadcast live to Facebook and YouTube. Recordings of the classes will be available following the event for a limited time.
DNA Day at the FamilySearch Library[edit | edit source]
Wondering about the hype surrounding 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[edit | edit source]
| Time | Class Title | Description | View Online | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9:00 am MDT |
DNA Basics: An Introduction to DNA and Genealogy |
Have you heard your friends and fellow genealogists enthuse about DNA but don’t know what it’s all about? Wondering if a DNA test is right for you? Come learn about DNA, why it’s valuable, which tests you can take, and how it might be helpful in your genealogy research. |
Zoom | Handout |
|
10:15 am 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. |
Zoom | Handout |
|
11:00 am 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. |
Zoom | Handout |
|
11:45 am MDT |
Quick and Dirty Trees: Crowdsourcing Your DNA Connections |
DNA can tell you that you are related to someone, but it’s not always clear HOW you are related. Researching trees and compiling multiple generations of ancestors and descendants is no easy task. Accelerate your research by learning to create quick and dirty research trees. |
Zoom | Handout |
|
1:00 pm MDT |
Visual Phasing and Reconstruction |
Visual phasing is a process by which the DNA of siblings is compared to determine all of the segments that each inherited from all four of their grandparents. |
Zoom | Handout |
|
2:30 pm MDT |
Immigration Research and DNA: A Case Study |
Our ancestors are often lost as we seek to find their country and place of origin. Americanized names, unfamiliar naming practices, lack of information in America, and language barriers can stand in the way of our success. This class will examine DNA as one additional source we can examine to help identify our ancestors and connect them to their birth country. |
Zoom | Handout |
|
3:15 pm MDT |
Using DNA to Find an Unknown Grandparent: A Case Study |
Come see how DNA and traditional genealogical research were used to identify an unknown biological grandparent |
Zoom | none |
Other Resources[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about the basics from FamilySearch.org at https://www.familysearch.org/dna-testing
- The DNA Basics Learning Center was one of the sponsored booths during RootsTech 2022. The DNA classes offered during RootsTech are still available online.
- Jelly Genes allows you to see how your DNA is inherited randomly.
- Genetic Traits Tree lets you see how some of the genetic traits you inherited are shared (or not shared) with others.
- DNA test family artifacts at https://www.totheletterdna.com/
Past DNA Day Celebrations[edit | edit source]
The FamilySearch Library first celebrated DNA Day on April 25, 2019. Classes taught included:
- DNA: An Introduction to Genetic Genealogy (Recording Handout)
- DNA: I've Tested, Now What? (Recording Handout)
- Finding an Unknown Parent Using DNA: A Case Study (Handout)
- Making DNA Connections through Descendancy Research (Recording | Handout)
Class taught during DNA Day in 2021 included:
- Why Genealogists Use DNA (Recording)
- How Genealogists Use DNA (Recording)
- Grouping DNA Matches (Recording)
- Using DNA to Determine Relationships (Recording)
- Using DNA to Find Unknown Parents: A Case Study (Recording)
- Using DNA to Solve a Brick Wall: A Case Study (Recording)
Classes taught in 2022 included:
- DNA Basics: An Introduction to DNA and Genealogy (Recording | Handout)
- Grouping DNA Matches (Recording | Handout)
- Using DNA to Determine Relationships (Recording | Handout)
- Quick and Dirty Trees: Crowdsourcing Your DNA Connections (Recording | Handout)
- Visual Phasing and Reconstruction (Recording | Handout)
- Immigration Research and DNA: A Case Study (Recording | Handout)
- Using DNA to Find an Unknown Grandparent: A Case Study (Recording)