Bringing Generations Together
Thru Genealogy
DNA in Genealogy:
Testing, Tools and Techniques
Feb. 8 – March 15, 2021
Classes Monday, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Free Six-Part Series
The Office of Senior and Social Services (OSSS) is pleased to bring these classes to Bernalillo County residents. Please take note of the following: The classroom will open up five minutes prior to start time so individuals may enter and be ready to begin at 10:30 a.m. The class will be recorded for playback, and information regarding the recordings will be provided after the live class. The class will use a webinar setting in Zoom, which disables audio and video of the registrants, but can enable for questions when needed.
Bernalillo County and OSSS wish to thank accomplished genealogists Martin Brady, Philip Spivey, Lark Robart, John Adam Farris and the Albuquerque Genealogical Society for their expertise and valuable assistance for the DNA in Genealogy Series.
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DNA in Genealogy
Handouts | Class One | Feb. 8, 2021
Introduction to Genealogy and DNA
If you are curious about your family history or have been watching all those Genealogy shows and wonder how they do it, this is the class for you. Discover how genealogists combine documentation and DNA to build family trees and uncover old family secrets. This class will introduce you to practical and easy to use tools for unlocking your family’s past.
About the Class Presenter
Philip Spivey holds an MBA degree in International Management from Thunderbird. After more than 30 years in media, marketing and international business, he is now semi-retired and focusing on his passion for genealogy. His interest in genealogy began with a search for his biological father. With nothing to go on but a DNA test, he spent the next two years learning all he could about genealogy and DNA. The work paid off when he finally discovered the identity of his biological father. This discovery also led to a lasting addiction to genealogy and helping others build their family history skills.
His educational background in genealogy includes a Genealogical Research Certificate from Boston University, a Certificate in Irish Genealogy from University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. He has attended numerous conferences, courses and seminars, including the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and is currently pursuing certification with the Board for Certification of Genealogists. He is a member of the National Genealogical Society, the Association of Professional Genealogists and several state and local societies, including the Albuquerque Genealogical Society and the New Mexico Genealogical Society. He is the current President of the Albuquerque Genealogical Society.
Introduction to Genealogy and DNA
Philip Spivey
8 February 2021
Handout
What it is and what it does
DNA is in every cell of our bodies. It contains information on our parents and ancestors before them. The beauty of DNA is that it connects us to the past. We all carry bits of our ancestors with us. It helps us define our ethnicity, the way we look and even provide health information.
What types
Genealogists work with four different kinds of DNA. They are autosomal (atDNA), mitochondrial (mtDNA), Y-DNA and X-DNA. Each type gives us a unique way of looking at our ancestry and provide different tools for solving genealogical questions.
How we use it
We all have two kinds of family trees. There is a genealogical tree that we build using records of all kinds. The second is a genetic tree. It is made up of people whose DNA we inherit. In many cases, they are much the same. By using both genetic data and genealogical research we can identify unknown parents and ancestors, discover ethnic roots and family secrets. It can even be used to identify criminals, victims and unknown soldiers.
Fundamental truths of Genetic Genealogy
• DNA doesn’t lie, but it can be misinterpreted
• DNA is only one piece of evidence. It requires genealogy to be useful.
• DNA is not a silver bullet. With current technology, it is not always possible for DNA to help us solve a genealogical question.
It will get easier
With every new thing, there is always a learning curve. Learn a little and try it out. Once you feel comfortable with that process, add the next. There have been about 30 million DNA tests taken at the major genealogy-based testing services and that is growing daily. The technology and research tools are also constantly improving. Things we though were impossible or impractical a couple of years ago are not workable.
Glossary of terms
Autosomal DNA (atDNA): 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes found in the nucleus of a cell.
Autosome: One of the numbered non-sex chromosomes
Cell: The basic unit of life that contains DNA
Centimorgans: A unit of measurement used to imply distance along a chromosome
Chromosome: A DNA molecule found in the nucleus of living cells
Chromosome Browser: A visual representation of shared DNA between two test takers
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): A double-stranded molecule containing genetic information
DNA Match: Two test takers that share DNA
DNA Segments: A position on a chromosome where two test takers share DNA
Ethnicity estimate: Inferred ancestral origins based on comparing an individual’s DNA to that of a genetic reference population
Endogamy: The custom of marrying only within the limits of a local community, clan or tribe.
FTDNA Projects/Surname groups: A free research group of test takers at FamilyTreeDNA that share a common ancestry
Genetic genealogy: The practice and study of using DNA in genealogical research
Half-identical region: An area of the genome commonly tested for mt-DNA research
Haplogroup: Group of people that share genetic mutations and a common ancestor
Haplotype: A test taker’s specific market results
Marker: A specific commonly test region of DNA
Matrilineal: The direct maternal line
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): This is a type of DNA found in the mitochondrial of a cell. It is passed down from mother to daughter in the matrilineal line
Most recent common ancestor (MRCA): The common ancestor closest to two or more DNA
Matches: People that share DNA
Mutation: A variation in DNA that occurs over generations
Nucleotide: One of four building blocks of DNA (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine)
Nucleus: The cell’s control center
Patrilineal: The direct paternal line
Phasing: Separating DNA matches into maternal and paternal groups
Recombination: The mixing of autosomal DNA with the creation of a child
Reference groups: People with whom a test taker’s DNA is compared that represent specific ethnic or geographic groups
Shared cM Project: A reference work produced by Blaine T. Bettinger for evaluating relationships based on the amount of shared DNA.
SNP “snip” (Single nucleotide polymorphism): A variation of a single DNA base pair. They represent nucleotide differences and are used to help establish relationships between matches
STR (Short Tandem Repeats): A repeated DNA sequence. Used to help establish relationships between matches
Terminal SNP: The snip that most closely defines the test taker
X-DNA: A chromosome males inherit only from their mothers and females inherit from both parents.
Y-DNA: A chromosome on males inherit from their fathers
Resources For Genealogist on DNA
Books:
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The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger
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Genetic Genealogy in Practice by Blaine T. Bettinger and Debbie Parker Wayne
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Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies by Debbie Parker Wayne [editor]
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Professional Genealogy by Elizabeth Shown Mills [editor] Chapter 16 “Genetics For Genealogy”
Websites/Blogs:
Facebook Groups:
- Genetic Genealogy Tips & Techniques
- All Genetic Genealogy
- New Mexico DNA Discussion
- DNA Detectives
- AncestryDNA
- GEDmatch
- 23andMe
- FTDNA
YouTube Channels: (just go to YouTube and search these names)
- Blaine Bettinger Maurice Gleeson Diahan Southard
- Family History Fanatics Ancestry FamilyTreeDNA
Webinars:
Legacy Family Tree Webinars (some free but worth the $50 annual fee for all access)
https://familytreewebinars.com/
Other Classes in the Series
Introduction to DNA Testing for Genealogy (Class Feb. 15, 2021)
Which five companies offer at home DNA testing to the public, the three DNA tests available, which tests are offered by each company and their approximate cost, the pros and cons of each company and what do the testing results look like. Each company provides you with a different estimate of your ethnicity. What is matching and how to use it to verify existing kin and find new kin.
By John Adam Farris
Chromosomes and Centimorgans and Segments Oh My!! (Class Feb. 22, 2021)
Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of DNA matches, and how to start organizing and understanding them in a way that helps you solve the brick walls in your tree? Lark Robart will share her real-life experience in how she did just that in a successful attempt to solve a multi-generational mystery in her family.
Specifically, you'll learn how to . . .
- Review and organize your matches at Ancestry
- Create a "quick & dirty" tree.
- Use the "What Are The Odds" tool at DNAPainter
By Lark Robart
The Science of Genetic Genealogy (Class March 1, 2021)
We will explore the uses of Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA and autosomal DNA. We will examine how DNA is inherited from one generation to the next and how DNA can help us corroborate our documentary evidence and give us leads for further investigation. We will explore chromosomes, DNA, recombination, SNP’s, STR’s, meiosis, haplotypes, haplogroups, alleles and much more.
By Martin Brady
Finding Unknown Parents (Class March 8, 2021)
Learn how adoptees can combine genealogy and DNA to identify their biological families. Even when both parents are unknown, it may be possible to determine who they are. This class will show you the specific DNA and family research tools and strategies Genetic Genealogists use to help adoptees. It will include actual successful cases as examples. If you are an adoptee or know an adoptee who would like to discover biological family members, this is the place to start. No prior experience with DNA or genealogy is needed. However, those that have already done DNA testing at AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage or FamiltyTreeDNA will be able to put these tools to use immediately.
By Philip Spivey
Forensic DNA (Class March 15, 2021)
DNA has been used to help solve crimes since 1986. This class will discuss the history of the use of DNA in forensic investigations, its development and the current use of Genetic Genealogy to help solve crimes. By Martin Brady and Philip Spivey
If you have specific questions for the class, please email BCOSSS@bernco.gov attn: Veronica Cordova, Subject: DNA Question.
Please reference your registration confirmation for the meeting ID and password. An automatic reminder will be sent to you prior to the class.
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