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For our Fall Seminar, MGS will present a day of DNA, with nationally recognized DNA speaker Blaine Bettinger. Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., is an intellectual property attorney by day and a DNA specialist by night. He is the author of the long-running blog The Genetic Genealogist, and frequently gives presentations and webinars to educate others about the use of DNA to explore their ancestry.
Blaine's four presentations will provide insights to newcomers to DNA testing as well as more experienced users of DNA for genealogy.
- Y-DNA and mtDNA to Explore Your Ancestry
Y-DNA and mtDNA testing are the workhorses of genetic genealogy, and have helped genealogists break through thousands of stubborn brick walls. Learn about the unique inheritance of Y-DNA and mtDNA in your family, how these tests can be used to explore your ancient ancestry, and how the results can identify your relatives, both close and distant. - Introduction to Autosomal DNA
For years, genealogists have focused on Y- DNA and mtDNA, unable to access the wealth of information in the remainder of their DNA. At long last, new autosomal DNA tests reveal this hidden information. Genealogists can use autosomal DNA for ethnicity estimates, finding long-lost cousins, and examining specific genealogical problems. - Using Autosomal DNA for 18th and 19th Century Mysteries
Even though our 18th and 19th century ancestors have been dead for decades, their DNA still survives in their descendants. Learn how to use autosomal DNA to attack and potentially solve genealogical mysteries and brick walls for ancestors who were born or lived in the 1800s, 1700s, and beyond. Together we’ll also examine some of the ways that leaders in the field have attacked or solved their 18th and 19th century mysteries using autosomal DNA. - Using Third Party Tools to Analyze Your Autosomal DNA
Although DNA testing companies provide their own analysis of test results, there are third-party tools that allow test takers to learn even more about their genomic heritage, including admixture calculators and the identification of genetic cousins. Together we’ll explore some of these tools and learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff.