Search Results for: small segments

Recreating a Grandmother’s Genome – Part 1

Blaine Bettinger 22 Comments

My grandmother Jane died in 1984 when I was just 8 years old. I have some really great memories of her, faded with time but still filled with emotion. Bath times, spending time with her in the summer, newspaper hats, chrysanthemums.

However, in addition to those memories, she gave me a very unique genetic heritage. She was from a region of the world with a high degree of admixture, and thus it is from her that I obtained my Native American mtDNA, my Native American, African American, and Spanish autosomal DNA. It is an incredibly rich and fascinating genetic legacy.

In an attempt to learn more about my grandmother’s genetic heritage, I’m using GEDmatch’s new Lazarus tool to try to recreate as much of her genome as possible. Join me on the journey, and learn about this new tool. ... Click to read more!

Goodbye False Positives! AncestryDNA Updates its Matching Algorithm

Blaine Bettinger 52 Comments

AncestryDNAYesterday, when I checked my AncestryDNA account I had 205 pages of matches, or 10,250 matches in the database. Today, thanks to Ancestry’s new matching algorithm, I have 57 pages of matches, or 2,850 matches in the database (a reduction of 72.2%!). I also have DNA Circles, groups of people who MIGHT share a common ancestor (some of whom share DNA with me).

A New Matching Algorithm

I wrote recently about the new algorithm (see “Finding Genetic Cousins – Separating Fact from Fiction“), as did Judy Russell (“When less is more“) and Roberta Estes (“DNA Day With Ancestry“). In essence, AncestryDNA is leveraging information about allele frequencies (“pile-ups”) in which small IBS segments of DNA shared by many, many people are not utilized for matching. ... Click to read more!

Genetic Genealogy in 2050 (or Maybe 2015?)

Blaine Bettinger 7 Comments

GeneticGenealogyFutureStamp1Summary: DNA from genetic cousins will be used to recreate the genomes of unknown ancestors who reside completely behind brick walls. While traditional research will often be able to provide a potential identity for the recreated genome, sometimes the individual will be known only by his or her DNA.

Into the Future!

Long-time readers of The Genetic Genealogist know that in addition to writing about the latest developments in genetic ancestry testing, I occasionally write about the future of genetic genealogy based on current trends and developments.  This is something I’ve been doing since at least 2007, with posts like “The Future of Genetic Genealogy” and “A Single Colon Cancer Gene Traced to 1630 – The Future of Genetic Genealogy?” ... Click to read more!

New Updates From Family Tree DNA

Blaine Bettinger

Following a trend inspired by discussions at the recent Conference for Family Tree DNA Group Administrators, Family Tree DNA has released a new set of updates.  This week’s update includes the ability to change the location for your most distant known maternal or paternal ancestors, and the ability to determine which of your Family Finder matches actually match each other.  Although this functionality was previously available, it was cumbersome and was not accompanied by any visualization.

From Family Tree DNA:

Weekly Information Technology/Engineering Update (10 Dec 2013)

Matches Maps Locations Clear Button

Some users have requested the ability to clear their stored map coordinates for their most distant known maternal or paternal ancestors. We have added a Remove Location button to Step 3 of the Update Most Distant Ancestor’s Location wizard. ... Click to read more!

Presentations

Is your group interested in learning more about DNA testing and how it can be used in your genealogical research?  Or are you curious about the intersection of genetics and history?  I lecture all over the United States, Canada, and several other countries to groups of all sizes and experience levels, and I’d love to speak to your group. Below are some of the lectures I provide.  Each lecture is a stand-alone talk, but they can be mixed-and-matched for a full-day workshop.

If you’re interested, click HERE to contact me!

NEW Lectures for 2025 (Virtual or In Person):

New for 2025! In addition to my other lectures below, I am developing the following NEW lectures for 2025 and beyond. If your organization is interested in these lectures, contact me today!

  1. Patents and Pedigrees: Discovering Genealogical Gems in Patent Records – Explore the often overlooked resource of patent records for genealogical research. This lecture will introduce the basics of what patent records are, such as inventor names, dates, and locations. Through the examination of the genealogical value of patent records, we’ll uncover how they can provide insights into our ancestor’s lives. The session will include practical guidance on accessing patent records through online databases and archives, supplemented by case studies that illustrate successful genealogical discoveries made using these records. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage patent records to enrich their family history research, unlocking new dimensions of their ancestors’ lives and legacies.
  2. Sprinters, Caffeine Addicts, and Daredevils! Understanding DNA-Based Traits – Delve into how genetic testing reveals insights into our traits and predispositions beyond ancestry. This lecture will explore how specific genetic markers can indicate tendencies like athletic ability, caffeine metabolism, and risk-taking behavior. We’ll discuss the science behind these traits, emphasizing how DNA influences them and the implications for understanding ourselves and our ancestors. Attendees will learn how to interpret trait reports from DNA tests and how to integrate this information into broader genealogical research, adding depth to family stories. By examining the connection between genetics and personal characteristics, we aim to enhance genealogical narratives with a richer understanding of inherited traits.
  3. DNA-Based Relationship Estimators and Analyzers – Explore the tools and methodologies used in genetic genealogy to estimate and analyze relationships between individuals based on DNA data. This lecture will cover how relationship estimators analyze shared DNA segments to predict familial connections. We will discuss the science behind these estimators, including centimorgan (cM) values and segment analysis, and how they are used to build and verify family trees. Attendees will learn to interpret DNA match results, utilize relationship prediction tools effectively, and address common challenges, such as outliers. By integrating these advanced DNA analysis techniques, genealogists can enhance their research, solve complex family mysteries, and validate traditional genealogical findings.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Genealogy:

Interested in learning more about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-based tools for genealogical research? These are a few well-received presentations that I’ve given over the past year. Unfortunately, most AI presentations are far too advanced for genealogists. As with the early days of genetic genealogy, the field needs easy-to-understand presentations about how genealogists can utilize artificial intelligence to facilitate their research. Here are a few: ... Click to read more!

Using Genome-Wide SNP Scans to Explore Your Genetic Heritage

Blaine Bettinger 6 Comments

Mary Carmichael, a science editor for Newsweek, is in the midst of a week-long dilemma.  This Friday, after reading a series of articles written by members of the DTC genetic testing community, she will decide whether she should purchase a genome-wide SNP analysis.  Although the decision might be a simple one for some, in light of the recent critique of DTC genetic testing in the media, in the literature, and by the government, it is certainly understandable that Mary is looking for further insight into her decision.

Today, Mary is asking “What Can I Learn From At-Home DNA Tests?” and has gathered answers to her question from a wide variety of writers and scientists, including myself.  Since the Newsweek site only has space for a brief introduction to each topic, this post is meant to be a more in-depth answer what Mary could learn about her ancestry from a DTC test. ... Click to read more!

A Review of Family Tree DNA’s Family Finder – Part I

Blaine Bettinger 6 Comments

Since late 2007, several “direct-to-consumer” or “DTC” genetic testing products have entered the marketplace, many of which offered some degree of autosomal ancestry analysis (including 23andMe, deCODEme, and Pathway Genomics, among others).

In early 2010, genetic ancestry testing company Family Tree DNA announced that it would begin offering a new genetic genealogy product (see “Announcing Family Finder – An Autosomal Test From Family Tree DNA”).  The new product, called “Family Finder,” is one of only a very few autosomal genetic genealogy tests available to consumers.

The Family Finder test uses an Affymetrix microarray chip that includes over 500,000 pairs of locations called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in your autosomal DNA.  Once the SNPs are analyzed, FTDNA detects linked blocks of DNA that indicate a common ancestor.  The number and size of these linked blocks is used to determine how recently or closely two people are related.  From the Family Finder FAQ page: ... Click to read more!

Q&A: Everyone Has Two Family Trees – A Genealogical Tree and a Genetic Tree

Blaine Bettinger 17 Comments

I recently received an interesting question from a reader (see this comment) about 23andMe’s Relative Finder, and thought it would be worth sharing the question and my answer with all my readers.

The Question:

I’m a man who recently took a 23andMe test, and I have a question about Relative Finder. Another man who I match on 36 of 37 Y-DNA markers via Family Tree DNA also took a 23andMe test. We believe that we are third cousins, but this individual does not show up as related in Relative Finder, nor does he show any similarities in the Family Inheritance section. Does this mean that we are not related at all?

The Answer

If two individuals do not share any DNA in the Family Inheritance section of 23andMe or do not appear as relatives in Relative Finder or a people check if you look online (see here), this absolutely does not mean that they are not or cannot be relatives. It does suggest, however, that the two individuals might not share any DNA. Although your Y-DNA test suggests that you share a recent common male ancestor, it appears that apart from your Y chromosomes you do not share any other DNA. ... Click to read more!

The Full mtDNA Genome of Ötzi is Sequenced (Twice?)

Blaine Bettinger 3 Comments
Großglockner seen from the southwest. The Groß...

Image via Wikipedia

Ötzi the Iceman is the popular name for a 5,000 year-old mummy discovered frozen in the ice of the Alps in 1991.  Studies of the Iceman has revealed an immense amount of information about him, including details of his life, his death, and his culture. 

Although Ötzi’s mtDNA has previously been studied, researchers had only examined short segments which suggested that his mtDNA belonged to Haplogroup K.  A new paper in Current Biology (subscription only darn it) details Ötzi’s full mtDNA genome for the first time:

"Using a mixed sequencing procedure based on PCR amplification and 454 sequencing of pooled amplification products, we have retrieved the first complete mitochondrial-genome sequence of a prehistoric European. We have then compared it with 115 related extant lineages from mitochondrial haplogroup K. We found that the Iceman belonged to a branch of mitochondrial haplogroup K1 that has not yet been identified in modern European populations." ... Click to read more!

Abstracts From the ASHG 2008 Meeting

Blaine Bettinger 3 Comments

image The American Society of Human Genetics is having its 58th Annual Meeting in November.  As I was looking through the meeting abstracts, I noticed that there were a number of abstracts that dealt with topics related to genetic genealogy.  I thought some of you would be interested in getting an advance look at genetic genealogy research that will be publicly released and published over the next year or two.  Although I didn’t include the whole abstracts for most of them, I did include a link for further investigation.  (Note: I got this idea from Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog).

Interestingly, the first five abstracts all include researchers from the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, showing how much the Foundation is providing to the genetic genealogy community. ... Click to read more!