Events - Event View

SESSION 1: Sorting Your DNA Puzzle: Making Sense of Your Family Connections 

Organizing DNA matches has many benefits. It allows visualization of how you descend from a common ancestor and helps you determine the possible relationship. You'll discover how to make connections and gather the evidence in one place for analysis. We'll look at diagramming tools and how to use your family tree in connecting DNA matches to common ancestors. Finally, we'll explore various methods for grouping DNA matches. 

Speaker Bio: Diana Elder 

Diana Elder AGⓇ, AGLTM, is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States. Diana authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and co-authored the companion volume, Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence. Diana and her daughter, Nicole Dyer, host the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast and share research tips on their website, FamilyLocket.com. 

SESSION 2: Using Multiple Autosomal DNA Test Takers to Solve Distant Research Questions 

Finding enough evidence for the parents of an ancestor born in the early 1800s can be difficult. The amount of autosomal DNA evidence inherited decreases with each generation, yet it can still help solve these challenging research questions. Learn how using multiple DNA test takers can help you discover potential ancestors and increase the quality and quantity of your DNA evidence. You will also learn how the concept of autosomal DNA coverage can increase your chances of finding relevant DNA matches. 

Speaker Bio: Nicole Dyer 

Nicole Dyer is a professional genealogist specializing in Southern United States research and genetic genealogy. She is the creator of FamilyLocket.com and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She co-authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide and Research Like a Pro with DNA and is an instructor for the study groups of the same name. She lectures at conferences and institutes including the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research. Nicole holds a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in History Teaching. At Family Locket Genealogists, Nicole is a project manager, editor, and researcher. 

SESSION 3: Lessons that Genetic Genealogists can learn from Investigate Genetic Genealogy 

Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) is a research method that combines traditional genealogical techniques with the analysis of genetic data to solve crimes and identify unknown deceased individuals.  We’ll discuss learnings from the use of common analysis tools (Ancestry, GEDmatch, DNA Painter, etc.) by IGGs that can be utilized by genetic genealogists as well. 

Speaker Bio: Bonnie Bossert 

Bonnie Bossert is a Genetic Genealogist and board of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board (IGGAB).  The IGGAB is an independent, non-profit group developing an exam and standards for the field of Investigative Genetic Genealogy. With her ATCG Genealogists team, she has solved over 100 cases.  She also teaches a four-hour “DNA Kindergarten” course for genealogy enthusiasts and lectures on a variety of genealogy-related topics.

SESSION 4: Big Improvements in YDNA and mitochondrial DNA from FamilyTreeDNA  

Katy Rowe-Schurwanz will be joining us to talk about the new tools and features Family Tree DNA is introducing for 2024. FTDNA is the only one of the four big direct-to-consumer testing companies that offers Y-DNA testing and mtDNA testing. Now it is introducing more online tools to make these unique tests even more useful. 

Speaker Bio: Katy Rowe-Schurwanz 

Katy Rowe-Schurwanz is the Product Manager for Family Tree DNA and was fundamental in the creation of Family Tree DNA’s Big Y specialist team.  Katy is focused on improving FTDNA’s genetic genealogy products.