This presentation will examine relatively new capabilities that are enabling collaborative family research: Greatly improved presentation of DNA results from Ancestry DNA and MyHeritage DNA, and the Family Search Family Tree. Attendees will learn the benefits provided by each and will learn how to effectively incorporate them into their own personal research methodology.

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Outline

DNA Tests

  • Y DNA – Paternal (father’s) line
  • Mitochrondrial DNA – Maternal (Mother’s) line
  • Autosomal DNA

Ethnicity Estimates

  • Generalize thousands of years of migration
  • Have changed recently
  • They will be revised again

DNA Matches identify others who share DNA with you

  • Close (genetic) relatives will share a lot of DNA
  • Distant (genetic) relatives will share less DNA
  • Unit of measurement: Centimorgans (cM)

In order to take advantage of DNA tools you need to upload your tree and link it to your DNA results

Ancestry DNA ThruLinesTM

  • Identifies common ancestors shared by DNA matches
  • Shows relationships from other Family Trees
  • Suggests possible ancestors not documented in your tree

Benefits

  • Automatically Identifies Common Ancestors
  • Provides visibility to information in private (un-shared) trees
  • Provides directed links into other trees
  • Provides information about living descendants

MyHeritage Theory of Family RelativityTM

  • Similar to Ancestry ThruLinesTM
  • Provides percentage of confidence for matches
  • Graphically displays alternative relationships

FamilySearch

  • Has a huge collection of genealogical records
  • Catalog of information available for geographical locations
  • Instructional information on how to perform genealogical research for just about any region or ethnicity you can name

FamilySearch Family Tree

  • Relatively new tool
  • A “Crowd Sourced” family tree
  • It is publicly viewable
  • Living people are only visible to the person who entered them
  • Anybody can add or change information

Advantages

  • Suggests record matches as new information is digitized and indexed
  • Allows you take advantage of research already performed by others
  • Notifies you whenever changes are made to records you are watching
  • Easy to share information with other researchers

Contacting DNA Matches

  • Warning: They may not be as interested in genealogy as you are.
  • Approach them as you would your first date
  • Your goal: Get them to respond!

Tips & Techniques

  • Use Notes to identify common ancestors and identify matches you have already investigated
  • Use filters to identify records of interest
  • Color code branches of your family (Ancestry.com)
    • Helps when looking at shared matches
  • Utilize Match Tree Icon (Ancestry.com)

Finding Living People

Fee-Based Search Tools

Links