Whether you’re using Ancestry’s new Custom Cluster tool or have simply identified an important DNA match, determining how a match fits into your family tree is why we review matches. Since the publication of my Chutes & Ladders blog post, I’ve received several requests to elaborate on the concept of DNA Laddering. I am pleased … Read more
Getting your Big Y-700 DNA results from FamilyTreeDNA can be exciting, but it can also create anxiety. I’ve been there, too, and it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Y-DNA, which is passed down from father to son, is just as helpful or perhaps more helpful than autosomal DNA in answering your genealogical research questions. I … Read more
We’ve been told not to rely on segments/matches having small amounts of shared DNA. This warning is true, but in genetic networks, small matches can act like a compass and direct us where to research. I’m not talking about small matches below 6 to 8 cM in length. Testing companies like Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, and 23andMe … Read more
Have you ever wanted to create a map for your genealogy research but been overwhelmed by the process? Did you find a software program to help you but found it expensive or difficult to use? I’ve discovered an affordable and easy way to create your own customized maps using Microsoft’s PowerPoint. Yes, PowerPoint. In my … Read more