THROWBACK THURSDAY!
Did you know that DNA inheritance patterns vary slightly depending on whether the ancestor was male or female? You're more likely to find outliers on your dad's side than your mom's. This post explains why.
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True confession: I *love* origin (ethnicity) estimates! The science is cool & they help family history. This archive post shows how to evaluate them. Which ones are best for you? Sign up for my upcoming class on the latest estimates with the link at the end!
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Where in the World?
As of late February 2026, I estimate that there are more than 55 million autosomal DNA (atDNA) kits across the four main testing companies: AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA. Not all of these are unique individuals, to be sure, because most hard-core genetic…
THROWBACK THURSDAY!
Remember when AncestryDNA (& later MyHeritage) introduced colored dots? It's hard to fathom both how excited we were & how incredibly useful they've become! Enjoy this throwback post from 2019, then share in comments how they have helped your genealogy research!
Weaponizing DNA Against Women
Last Friday, fetal remains were found in a wastewater treatment plant in Sumter County, South Carolina. The fetus was male, 13–15 weeks old, with no signs of trauma. At that stage, a miscarriage is considered a medical event rather than a legal death, meaning that…
You will have opportunities to ask questions during and after the talk. Attendance is limited to 50 participants per session, with two identical sessions currently scheduled. Registered participants will have access to the recording for 2 weeks. Captioning available, and a handout is included.
Origin estimates (sometimes called ethnicity estimates) are a popular reason to do a DNA test. But how reliable are they? This class takes a deep dive into the origin estimates offered by the main genetic genealogy companies to help you understand how they work and which are most accurate.
A new set of classes has dropped at The DNA Geek! First up in March, we have "Wait, I'm What?!? Understanding Origin Estimates." You can register and check out our other offerings at tixoom.app/thednageek
We see Israeli settlers behave like this every day in the West Bank.
Struggles with Smithville
The most frustrating unknown father case I've ever worked is "Midge" (not her real name). Midge has great matches! I even know the town her biological father was from. That's not the problem. The problem is that half the town are Smiths, they're all related, and…
If you've ever worked a case with closely related parents, you need to read this post now.
thednageek.com/revisiting-t...
Revisiting the “Are Your Parents Related Tool” at GEDmatch
Most cultures have taboos against close relatives marrying (or mating with) one another. While some royal lineages historically used intra-family marriages to consolidate power, there are generally consequences. The practice is known to…
Othram will now outsource forensic genetic genealogy to freelancers. At first glance, this poses massive privacy risks for criminal investigations, undercuts the professionalization of FGG via accreditation or certification, and shifts all of the liability onto the contractors.
totaltreecall.com
Attendees will learn strategies to resolve mysteries and clarify relationships even when parents are closely related or when dealing with other challenging situations in genetic genealogy. Tickets are only $10! tixoom.app/thednageek
Complex DNA scenarios can complicate genealogical research, but there are ways to interpret DNA data even when the Leeds Method and WATO don't work. We will review the challenges, outline how to identify specific circumstances, and discuss how to develop an hypothesis for the biological connections.
Do you have challenging or sensitive DNA results? On July 22, my friend & colleague Kate Penney Howard will teach how about these scenarios in her class "Dealing with Difficult DNA: Endogamy, High-RoH, and Other Hazards."
Register for one of two sessions—10 AM or 5 PM PDT—at tixoom.app/thednageek
Participants will learn about essential research tools and the documentation required for enrollment. We will also address the limitations and potential of DNA testing and ethnicity estimates in supporting Native American heritage claims. Learn more about Aimee here: aimeerosehaynes.com
This session explores the differences between federally recognized and non-recognized tribes, with special attention to the the Five Civilized Tribes. We will examine how geography helps to locate ancestral roots and review census, Indian rolls, and Dawes Packets to identify Native lineage.
Beyond the Stories: Verifying Native Ancestry Through History and DNA, with Aimee Rose Haynes
Enroll now at bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
Join guest speaker Aimee Rose Haynes to trace the path from family stories to verified Native American ancestry through historical records and tribal enrollment.
Doesn’t he make money on every sale?
If Bannon said it, it must be true. 🙄
If you agree that consent is key, you understand that no one owes you an explanation for their choices. No means no.
There are many reasons to opt out of forensic investigations. Consent is key.
The End of an Era: Uploads at MyHeritage
MyHeritage is apparently securing their DNA database in response to the FBI using it in the Idaho murder investigation.
It’s your claim so your job to support it.
Explain how the minority party can block legislation. The only recourse is through the courts, and that takes time.
You will have opportunities to ask questions during and after the talk. Attendance is limited to 50 participants per session, with two identical sessions currently scheduled. Registered participants will have access to the recording for 2 weeks. Captioning available, and a handout is included.
ALL-NEW class! Ethnicity estimates are popular, yet they are often maligned as inaccurate or even quack science. Are they reliable? Join me for a deep dive into the science behind ethnicity estimates to understand how they work and which are most accurate.
Register today! bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
You do understand that the minority party doesn’t have any power, right?
Based on what I see on social media, progressives want to tear down the Democratic Party.
