DNA Genealogy Series: Introduction to Genetic Genealogy

Discover Your History with DNA Genealogy: A Lecture Series

Learn how consumer DNA testing can find connections, recent to ancient, that greatly extend your family and genetic history. Session 1 covers types of DNA and patterns of inheritance, forensics, risks, and advice on tests. Session 2 covers autosomal DNA testing to uncover recent family history, ethnicity, and large-scale American migrations. In session 3, mitochondrial and Y DNA reveal ancestors' paths from human origins in Africa, to the Bronze Age, to medieval clans. Bring your own records and genealogical puzzles for discussion after each presentation.

Speaker Bio
Rob Spencer is a Mystic resident and retired Pfizer biochemist and software developer. Genetic genealogy is a hobby that perfectly suits his skills and interests. He is a project admin at Family Tree DNA, presenter at multiple conferences, and author of SNP Tracker. Explore his tools, research reports, and presentations at http://scaledinnovation.com.

Session 1: Introduction to Genetic Genealogy

We will discuss common goals in genealogy and the limitations of traditional sources. Then we review the three types of DNA used in genealogy (autosomal, mitochondrial, and Y chromosome), their strengths and limitations, how they're inherited, and the types of markers (mutations) used in genealogy. Forensic DNA is discussed, as well as privacy concerns. Finally, we review the different types of consumer DNA tests available with recommendations.