DNA Study Group – Using DNA to Solve Your Genealogy Questions

At the April DNA Study Group, we decided to try another way to look at how to use DNA to solve our genealogy problems. Our May DNA Study Group meeting will be two parts.

First, we ask everyone to read this National Genealogy Quarterly article by Patricia Lee Hobbs, CG, “DNA Identifies a Father for Rachel, Wife of James Lee of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.” National Genealogy Society Quarterly 105 (March 2017): 53-56. (https://bcgcertification.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Hobbs-NGSQ_105-1_March2017.pdf) Participants should read the article and footnotes keeping in mind two main questions: 1) what is the research question the author is trying to answer and 2) how is DNA used to answer the question. About a week before the meeting, we will send out additional discussion questions for everyone to think about.

This brings us to the second part of our meeting – our homework! At the April meeting, we asked participants to look at their family trees and DNA test matches. Each person was asked to pick one family member that they want to try to use DNA to either confirm a relationship or discover a relationship. We will be discussing this further to see what everyone has done so far.

If you are new to the study group or missed a meeting or two, no problem! We are learning from each other and look forward to welcoming all Davis Genealogy Club members to learn more about using DNA to solve genealogy questions!