Track: DNA

Tracks at the TxSGS 2019 Family History Conference are designed to help you focus on a specific area of research or skill development. Use this information as you plan your schedule.

All lectures included in your registration if you sign up for the full conference. If your register for a single day, all lectures on that are included. Workshops are optional and have limited seating. You must register in advance. Lunches with speakers are also optional and must be purchased in advance. These may be selected during registration or added before September 30.

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DNA Track

Seven sessions and one workshop at the 2019 TxSGS Family History Conference focus on DNA analysis for beginners to advanced researchers. Learn more about DNA matches, Native American ethnicity, match clustering, Y-DNA, and more. We hope you’ll join us to find new ways to connect to your ancestors. See all tracks and learn more about speakers on our website. Register online now!

Friday, 9:00 am to 10:00 am – After the Test: Getting Started with Your DNA Matches, Dana Leeds
You’ve got your DNA results, but now what? This beginner-level session will help you understand your test results and work with your DNA matches. There will also be time set aside for your questions to be answered. Come and learn how to use your DNA results. (Beginner)

Friday, 10:30 am to 11:30 am – But I Really Am Cherokee! DNA Testing and Native American Ancestry, Janine Cloud
Many people take a DNA test to see if family stories of Native American ancestry are true. Proving descent from indigenous Americans using DNA testing is difficult; disproving it is almost impossible. Learn how different types of DNA tests depict Native American ancestry. (Beginner) Lecture sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA

Friday, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm – The Leeds Method: Identifying Common Ancestors with DNA Match Clustering, Dana Leeds
The Leeds Method is a free tool that helps you sort your DNA matches into clusters likely based on your four grandparent lines. This method is a great place to start for those who are new to working with DNA, adoptees searching for biological family, and those who don’t want to spend a lot of time on DNA but want to get results. (All levels)

Saturday, 10:30 am to 11:30 am – Birds of a Feather – Y-DNA Research and Group Projects, Janine Cloud
Y chromosomal DNA passes only from father to son, but while the path of inheritance is simple, choosing which Y test to take can be confusing, and using the results once you have them can be even more confusing. Group projects can help alleviate some of that confusion as well as help focus research through comparison with other testers beyond simple one-to-one matching. (Beginner, Intermediate) Lecture sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA.

Saturday, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm – Advanced Y-DNA Tools and Analysis, Gale French
This class will allow you to delve into your Y-DNA details and know how it affects your genealogy. Y-DNA STR and SNP testing is the process of getting your Y-Chromosome results for comparison with other testers. Tests such as the BigY700 and others provide advanced ways of analyzing your Y-DNA. (Intermediate, Advanced)

Sunday, 10:30 am to 11:30 am – Raw DNA Data: Alleles, Algorithms, Analysis, Debbie Parker Wayne
Learn how algorithms, lab processes, and imputation can affect your DNA matches at the different testing companies and third-party tools. Advanced concepts are explained in a clear and basic way. (Intermediate, Advanced)

Sunday, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm – Utilizing Automated DNA Match Clustering Tools to Further Family Lines, Dana Leeds
DNA Match Clustering tools create visual genetic networks – groups of DNA matches who are likely related to you through a common ancestor. This session, led by a pioneer in this field, will teach you to create, interpret, and analyze results from “Leeds Method-like” automated clustering tools like Genetic Affair’s AutoClustering and DNAGedcom’s Collins’ Leeds Method (CLM) tool. (All levels)

DNA Workshop, Saturday, 9:00 am to 11:00 am (Seating limited, $30, must be registered in advance)

DNA Tree Building When Your GEDMatch Matches Don’t Respond, Andrew Lee
When matches don’t respond, sometimes we have enough information to construct their family tree and determine how we might be related just using their DNA. This workshop teaches you the principles and takes you through examples of how you can build someone else’s family tree when they haven’t answered your emails. (Intermediate, Advanced)