Genealogy Research and Education
Do you share DNA with any of the four ancient Irish samples on GEDmatch? You can compare your DNA to Neolithic and Bronze Age remains uncovered in Northern Ireland. Here’s how to go about it. How To Research Ancient Irish DNA Samples on GEDmatch We have another article on using GEDmatch to research Neanderthal and … Read more
GEDmatch accepts DNA tests from all the major consumer DNA testing companies. Their free comparison tools allow you to compare your uploaded DNA with a collection of archaic DNA matches. These ancient samples come from fossilized remains found across the world. Several of the samples are Neanderthal DNA. The Archaic DNA Matches Tool shows you … Read more
This is an in-depth book review of Blaine Bettinger’s Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy. My conclusion is a hearty recommendation. I have a few quibbles, but its a must-have resource. Be sure to get the latest edition, as the consumer DNA market is constantly changing. The book is available for purchase … Read more
The Irish branches of my family tree spread across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and – of course – Ireland. I use six DNA websites to help research my Irish heritage. Here is the list, ordered by how useful I’ve found them for building the Irish branches of my family tree. … Read more
23andMe started rolling out a reduction of your list of DNA relatives in the second half of 2020. You weren’t aware of this purge? Nor was I, until other customers posted their reactions on genealogy forums. So, what’s happened? 23andMe Reduce Your List of DNA Relatives The 2020 purge by 23andMe reduces your list of … Read more
The 23andMe family tree feature was introduced in 2019, and is very different from a traditional genealogy tree. A 23andMe family tree is a graphical representation of the potential relationships between you and your DNA relatives. If you opt in, 23andMe calculates your genetic tree. What is a 23andMe Family Tree? If Ancestry’s tree software … Read more
Some people find it hard to produce enough spit (saliva) for the DNA test kits from Ancestry or 23andMe. I’ve gathered twelve different suggestions from people who managed to overcome their difficulties in getting enough spit into the vial. One of these may work for you! 1. Massage your Cheeks This is one of the … Read more
Adoptees and people with unknown parentage are using DNA Tests to identify birth parents, health information, and ethnic heritage. Which DNA test is best for adopted adults or anyone who doesn’t know the identity of a biological parent? AncestryDNA is the best DNA test for adoptees researching birth family. Use 23andMe if you only want … Read more
This is Part 2 of a four part series. The full list of posts are: Part 1 – How many Irish cousins: according to Tim Urban Part 2 – How many Irish cousins: according to 23 and Me Part 3 – How many Irish cousins: according to AncestryDNA Part 4 – How many Irish cousins: … Read more
The number of people submitting DNA samples is rising, with a corresponding rise in the number of people on forums reporting that they have been asked by the test company to submit another sample. AncestryDNA say in their FAQ that: During the testing process, each DNA sample is held to a quality standard of at … Read more