The 2014 International Genetic Genealogy Conference

I know I say this every year, but 2014 is shaping up to be the year of Genetic Genealogy. There are many incredible opportunities this year for anyone interested in genetic genealogy to learn more and interact with others.

For example, just last month RootsTech 2014 featured numerous DNA sessions. This coming June, there will be an entire day of DNA at the 2014 SCGS Jamboree, where I and many other speakers will cover numerous topics related to DNA (see my coverage here and here). Among my presentations at Jamboree will be a completely new lecture that I’m really excited about – “DNA and the Genealogical Proof Standard,” which will be the first presentation completely devoted to the topic, and which I hope will spur some important conversation!

And in July 2014, Debbie Parker Wayne, CeCe Moore, and I will be teaching “Practical Genetic Genealogy” at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP).  This will be the very first week-long course dedicated solely to genetic genealogy anywhere in the world.

The 2014 International Genetic Genealogy Conference

To wrap up this incredible year of genetic genealogy is what promises to be the biggest single gathering of genetic genealogy experts, lecturers, and bloggers in the world – the 2014 International Genetic Genealogy Conference (“I4GG Conference”).  The I4GG conference will be August 15^th-17th at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

More than 23 different genetic genealogy experts, lecturers, and bloggers (see “Conference speakers”) will speak at the event covering every conceivable genetic genealogy topic ranging from the X chromosome to Native American ancestry to adoptee methods to phasing.  You can see the entire line-up at Conference Schedule .  Undoubtedly, the hardest part will be deciding which of the dual track presentations to attend at each time slot!

I’m presenting at 8:15 PM on Saturday, August 16^th on “Using Free Third-Party Tools to Analyze Your Autosomal DNA.”  Since it’s the last lecture of the day, and late in the evening, I’m already thinking about ways I can keep people motivated to attend! Stay tuned for a surprise or two!

In addition to 23 of the world’s leading experts on genetic genealogy, there are expected to be representatives from each of the major genetic genealogy testing companies, including 23andMe, Family Tree DNA, AncestryDNA, and National Genographic.

Registration is now open for this event, and the attendance fee is only $85 (meals and lodging separate).

Here’s a summary of the speakers who will be at the I4GG Conference this August:

1. Jim Bartlett – Getting the Most of Your Autosomal DNA Matches and Triangulation, an Essential Tool to Sort out Your Matches and Map Your DNA
2. Terry Barton – Surname Project Administration
3. Dr. Blaine Bettinger – Using Free Third-party Tools to Analyze Your Autosomal DNA
4. Angie Bush – DNA Case Studies
5. Rebekah Canada – Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroup H
6. Shannon Christmas – Identity by Descent: Using DNA to Extend the African-American Pedigree
7. Karin Corbeil, Diane Harman-Hoog, and Rob Warthen – Not Just for Adoptees: Methods and Tools for Working with Autosomal DNA Results from the Team at DNAGedcom
8. Dr. Maurice Gleeson – An Irish Approach to Autosomal DNA Matches
9. Katherine Hope-Borges – ISOGG
10. Bill Hurst – Mitochondrial DNA Focusing on Haplogroup K
11. Dr. Tim Janzen – Using Chromosome Mapping to Help Trace Your Family Tree
12. Dr. Kathy Johnston – From X Segments to Success Stories: The Use of the X Chromosome in Genetic Genealogy
13. Thomas Krahn – I’ve Received my Y Chromosome Sequencing Results – What Now?
14. Dr. Doug McDonald – Understanding Autosomal Biogeographical Ancestry Results
15. CeCe Moore – The Four Types of DNA Used in Genetic Genealogy
16. Dr.  Ken Nordtvedt – Y Haplogroup I — Very Early Europeans?
17. Dr. Ugo Perego – Native American Ancestry Through DNA Analysis
18. Dr. David Pike – The Use of Phasing in Genetic Genealogy
19. Bonnie Schrack – Y chromosome Haplogroups A and B
20. Larry Vick – Using Y-DNA to Reconstruct a Patrilineal Tree
21. Debbie Parker Wayne – Mitochondrial DNA: Tools and Techniques for Genealogy
22. Dr. Spencer Wells – the Genographic Project
23. Dr. Jim Wilson – BritainsDNA’s Chromo2 test and Y chromosome research

I hope to see you at the I4GG Conference this August!