the threads that bind us together
TRANSCRIPT
The Threads That Bind Us
Together: Unlocking Genetic
Genealogy
Shannon Combs-Bennett
Fredericksburg Family History Day 14 March 2015
Genetics and Genealogy
How They Work Together
• So…what’s the big deal
• Using DNA as a tool
• Confirm your research
• Find new family links
• Helping other researchers
• The Ethics of it all
http://www.geneticgenealogystandards.com/
3 Common Concerns
• Will an insurance
company, my
employer, or the
govt. have access to
my DNA?
• I don’t have to
exhume my
ancestors do I?
• These tests are
done by blood
draws and are
very expensive
• Genetics Home
Reference http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/
• DNA Interactive http://www.dnai.org/
• International Society
of Genetic
Genealogists
(ISOGG) Wiki
http://isogg.org/
• Your Genetic Genealogist
by Cece Moore
• The Genetic Genealogist
by Blaine Bettinger
• DNAeXplained by
Roberta Estes
• On-line Journal of
Genetics and Genealogy
• NextGen Genealogy: The DNA Connectionby Dowell
• DNA and GenealogyBy FitzPatrick and Yeiser.
• Trace Your Roots with DNA: Using Genetic Tests to Explore Your Family Tree by Smolenyak and Turner.
Types of DNA Testing
• Autosomal (admixture or
atDNA)
• Y-Chromosome (yDNA)
• Mitochondrial DNA
(mtDNA)
• X-Chromosome (X-DNA)
What is Autosomal DNA?
• Term used to describe the DNA you inherit through autosomal
chromosomes, not sex determining chromosomes.
Image from scotlandsdna.com
Image from ricochetscience.com
Parents
Children
Grandchildren
Great grandchildren
(c) 2014 Shannon Combs-
bennett
What Will atDNA Tell Me?
• Confidence for about 7 generations
• Can confirm or give new leads to paper genealogy research
What is yDNA
• In general, it is the sex chromosome that determines maleness
• Passed from father to son
Image from scotlandsdna.com
What will yDNA Tell Me?
• Verify male lineage
• Surname Studies
• Adoptions
• Probable Haplogroup
determinations
• Ethnic ancestry
• Mutation changes from
ancestral origins
What is mtDNA?
• mtDNA is passed from a mother to all of her children
• Mitochondria DNA is not autosomal DNA
Image from scotlandsdna.com
What will mtDNA Tell Me?
• Tool for deep ancestry
identification
• Probable haplogroup
identification
• Tests HVR1 and HVR2
regions
What is X-DNA
• Men receive X-Chromosome
from their mother
• Women receive and X-
Chromosome from each
parent
• Inheritance is similar to
Autosomal DNA
• X-Chromosomes crossover
just like autosomal
chromosomes
What Will X-DNA Tell A Woman?
What Will X-DNA Tell A Man?
Chart from Blain Bettinger,
The Genetic Genealogist
Testing Companies
• Family Tree DNA (FTDNA)
• atDNA
• yDNA
• mtDNA
• Ancestry DNA
• atDNA
• 23andMe
• atDNA
• yDNA
• mtDNA
• Neanderthal
• Bloom Syndrome
Things to Remember
• It is a tool – not an alternative
• Use many tests in conjunction with paper
research
• All you can do is ask
• New discoveries are still happening
Thank You For Attending!
Shannon Combs-Bennett
T2 Family History
http://t2familyhistory.com
@tntfamhist