DGS Spring Seminar with Diahann Southard – Using DNA Strategically

The Dallas Genealogical Society presented the Spring Seminar 2022 featuring Diahan Southard on Saturday, April 23. Attendees enjoyed a full day of learning new tools and methods for using DNA test results to search for ancestors. DNA research can offer challenges different from classic genealogical research. Diahan’s passion for genetic research and her gift for making the technical understandable gave attendees new resources to answer stubborn research problems.

DGS recorded Diahan’s four sessions, and the sessions will be available to Saturday’s attendees for the next two weeks. For those who were unable to attend the live seminar, you can still register for the seminar and view the recordings of each session until Sunday, May 8, 2022. Upon registration, you will receive the links to each session and the syllabus.

These are the recorded sessions.

Session 1 – Power of YDNA and Autosomal DNA: A Case Study

This case study integrating YDNA and autosomal DNA testing can teach you how to navigate your DNA—and the possible clash between our expectations for DNA testing and the reality of our experience.

Session 2 – Your DNA Match List: Overcome the Overwhelm by Organizing Them

Organizing your DNA matches into genetic networks puts matches onto branches of your tree and prepares you to find missing ancestors. Learn how!

Session 3 – No Tree? No Problem!

One of the most frustrating things about genetic genealogy is recognizing that you have a good DNA match that might help you break down your brick wall. Then you realize they haven’t posted any family tree information. Learn some best practices for identifying your best DNA matches, as well as super-sleuthing skills to help you track down the family tree for that all-important DNA match.

Session 4 – Three Key Intermediate DNA Strategies

While every person’s situation is unique, these ABCs are more advanced, key strategies you can use to help investigate your match list to identify a particular match or break down a genealogy brick wall. The strategies include “Ask the Wife” (dividing genetic networks), “Bottoms Up” (working from the bottom of your match list), and “Cousin Categories” (determining which kinds of cousins might answer your question).