DNA- The Newest Tool for Genealogists: Y-DNA, mtDNA, and Family Finder Tests

Speaker Jim Bartlett*

This presentation will provide explanations of how DNA works – no biology needed. You will learn how to use DNA test results to learn more about your surname line and your all-female ancestry; the genealogies of your ancestors; finding biological fathers; linking SURNAME tree branches; and discovering your ancestry before records, including Deep Ancestry. Included are DNA tests for your all-male ancestry; for your all-female ancestry; and the newest test, for men or women, that reports DNA links with your cousins from all of your ancestors.

Jim will give a basic class for about 50-60 minutes and then have a Q&A session and any discussion of issues or applications attendees want - as advanced as they want.

* Jim Bartlett was a presenter at the 2014 International Genetic Genealogy Conference conducted the Institute for Genetic Genealogy. He has been active in genealogy since 1974 (visiting courthouses, scrolling microfilms, lunches at DAR Library…). In 2002 he began the BARTLETT-DNA Project, which has grown to over 300 participants and has identified 23 separate lines – none of which relate to the others for over 1,000 years. Since 2010 he has been involved with the newest DNA tool, autosomal DNA, which provides matches with cousins from any/all of your ancestors. He’s tested at all 3 companies and also uses GEDmatch. The simple version is: communicate; share; find common ancestors! The more complex version involves spreadsheets, segment analysis, and triangulation. Jim enjoys explaining the complexity of DNA in everyday terms, and providing hands-on understanding for genealogists. Jim has presented the simplicity and power of DNA as a genealogy tool in the Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia region (and on a cruise ship) since 2003. He enjoys teaching and sharing, and hopes his talks will provide tools and insights to help everyone with their genealogical research.

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