Genealogy

Genetic Genealogy Standards

Over the past few months, a group of genealogists and scientists has been working to draft a set of Genetic Genealogy Standards that can be used to guide genealogists and test-takers as they enter and explore the world of genetic genealogy. Importantly this document is not meant to be a manual, but instead is meant to function similarly to standards like the Genealogy Standards. From the preamble of the Standards:

This document is intended to provide ethical and usage standards for the genealogical community to follow when purchasing, recommending, sharing, or writing about the results of DNA testing for ancestry.

It is the responsibility of the test-taker to understand and consider these standards before ordering  a test, and when reviewing or sharing their results. However, all genealogists who utilize or recommend DNA testing should: (1) review and understand these standards; (2) strive to meet and exceed these minimum standards; and (3) assist clients with understanding these standards. ... Click to read more!

Although they have not released any new big tools recently, 23andMe is constantly providing new ways for consumers to interact with the company and learn about genetics.

For example, over at Pinterest, 23andMe now has “What We’re Reading,” which is a great way to stay on top of the latest in the field of personal genomics. A number of my fellow genealogists have taken to using Pinterest both as a way to promote their business and as a way to share information or interests. Social media guru Thomas MacEntee has an article at Family Tree Magazine entitled “Using Pinterest for Genealogy Research,” and his own Presentations board, for example. Although I have a Pinterest presence, I haven’t yet used it for genealogy. ... Click to read more!

Today at Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter, Dick Eastman writes in “Avoid Dating Your Cousin – There’s an App for That” about a smartphone app that allows users to “bump” their smartphones – gently bump them together – in order to determine if and how they are related.  The Islendiga-App has been around for some time, as other articles discussing the app appear as early as April 2013.

Not surprisingly, it was created in Iceland where genealogies are incredibly detailed and comprehensive. From Dick’s post:

To determine if a potential date is a possible cousin, Icelanders often check the Íslendingabók database. Now a smartphone app will do that for you quickly and easily. Three students from the University of Iceland created a smartphone app, The Islendiga-App, that allows you to bump your phone against another person’s phone, similar to how bump-to-push contact exchange features work, and immediately see your genealogical (if any) relation to the person in question. There is even an alarm feature that lets you know if you share a grandparent. ... Click to read more!

Below are a few of my favorite tweets over the past few weeks. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for the latest in the world of genetic genealogy and personal genomics!

“DNA for Genealogists” – Flipboard from Kathleen Brandt (March 10, 2014)

 The importance of (at DNA) testing all siblings! See “Sibling rivalry” at The Legal Genealogist – (March 9, 2014)

Incredible charts! “Your Family: Past, Present, and Future” from – (March 7, 2014)

Genea-Musings: “Who Contributed to My X-Chromosome? My List” Great use of X-DNA charts  – (March 7, 2014)

“Ancestry DNA Advances Exploration of African American Ethnic Origins” with Coupling Genetic Science – (March 4, 2014)

“Genetic Testing Needs a Nudge” re:- (March 1, 2014)

Follow them all! “40 Genealogists to Follow on Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & YouTube“- (February 28, 2014)

“There is no DNA test to prove you’re Native American“- (February 27, 2014)

“Technologies of Kinship: Genetic Genealogists and Origin Stories”( Two Links Here: Link 1 & Link 2)- (February 27, 2014)

“Announcing the 2014 Institute for Genetic Genealogy Conference” – (February 27, 2014)

... Click to read more!

Fellow genetic genealogy blogger Emily Aulicino, author of dna-genealem’s genetic genealogy, has authored a new manual on genetic genealogy entitled “Genetic Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond.”

Congratulations Emily!

From the back cover of the book:

Genetic Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond provides genealogists, both budding and experienced, with the knowledge and confidence to use DNA testing for their family research. The book guides genealogists through the introductory level of understanding various tests to a more advance level of determining what DNA segments came from which ancestor.

Genetic Genealogy explains how DNA testing helps when written records stop and discusses how testing can prove or disprove oral family history.  The book describes which tests can help adoptees find their biological families and mentions a website that offers free assistance for testing and locating adoption information. Genetic Genealogy helps you understand why you resemble your relatives and explains how DNA testing can connect you with cousins you never knew existed. Steps for encouraging potential cousins to test are outlined.  The more adventurous can find guidelines for becoming a project administrator, a genetic genealogy speaker or a facilitator for their genealogical society’s DNA interest group. Genetic Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond will help both the experienced and the fledgling researchers become genetic genealogists able to use DNA testing to resolve their genealogical roadblocks.