DNA livestreamed and mainstreamed in Raleigh

Hundreds of genealogists from across the country and even the world will be descending on Raleigh, North Carolina, this week for the annual conference of the National Genealogical Society.

This four-day, multi-track conference is one of the highpoints of the genealogy year, and gives The Legal Genealogist and so many others the chance to see what’s happening in the field, meet up with old friends and make new ones, and revel in the joy of being around like-minded people as obsessed with genealogy as we are.

And for genetic genealogists, this conference offers so very much to learn and grow and develop.

There are 20 separate sessions — both individual lectures and workshops — that focus on DNA in this 2017 NGS conference.

There is, literally, something for everybody with even a passing interest in using DNA as part of the genealogical toolbox.

And — because of an entire day of livestreamed lectures — there’s even something for those with an interest in using DNA as part of the genealogical toolbox who can’t make it to Raleigh.

Let me talk about that first. Here’s the deal:

On Thursday, May 11, starting at 8 a.m. EDT and running through to 5 p.m. EDT, NGS is offering a livestream of five presentations focusing on DNA. The package price for the day is $95.00 for NGS members and $115.00 for non-members and you can sign up or get more information here on the NGS Conference website. (Yes, there’s a second day of livestreaming; I’ll talk more about that tomorrow.)

The neat thing about the livestreaming package is, you don’t have to be able to sit and watch it in real time. You can do that, if your schedule allows, but if not then about 48 hours later, the livestreamed sessions will be online for those who’ve subscribed — and subscribers can just log-in and watch them.

The livestreamed sessions begin at 8 a.m. with Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA, and “When You’re Not Who You Thought You Were”: If Y-DNA testing identifies a totally different surname or ancestor than the expected one, what path leads to finding your own true biological identity?.

Next up at 9:30 a.m. is Angie Bush, MS, with “The Genetic Genealogy Revolution”: DNA is now a mainstream source for the genealogist. It has revolutionized how genealogical research problems are approached and is inspiring a new generation of researchers.

At 11 a.m., Blaine Bettinger, PhD, will present “Using Third-Party Tools to Analyze Your Autosomal DNA”: Learn about third-party tools that allow test-takers to learn even more about their genomic heritage, including admixture calculators and the identification of genetic cousins.

Then at 2:30 p.m., yours truly Judy G. Russell, CG, CGL, JD, presents “DNA and the Hidden Half of the Family”: Learn how the 21st century genealogist’s tool of DNA testing can shed light on women: the hidden members of our families.

And closing out the day at 4 p.m. is Diahan Lyn Southard with “Five Tips to Make Sense of Your DNA Testing”: Overwhelmed with autosomal DNA? I can teach you 5 tips you can implement and understand today so you can find your ancestors tomorrow.

It’s a great way to learn about DNA if you can attend the conference — and even if you can’t.

But for those who will be in Raleigh, there’s so much more. Here’s the additional DNA lineup beyond those that will also be livestreamed, with everything from DNA for African American and Native American research to tools and techniques in the sessions to choose from:

Wednesday, May 10

11:00 am – W122 – “DNA and Genetic Genealogy Today,” Debbie Parker Wayne
2:30 pm – W142 – “Genealogy as a Science,” Blaine Bettinger
4:00 pm – W152 – “MyHeritage DNA Matching,” Daniel Horowitz

Thursday, May 11

2:30 pm – T250 – “DNA Writing Workshop (Sold Out) Workshop,” Angie Bush

Friday, May 12

8:00 am – F302 – “Getting Your Results is Just the Beginning,” Jim Brewster
9:30 am – F312 – “From The Shadows: Using DNA to Demolish Brick Walls in African American Genealogy,” Shannon Stewart Christmas
11:00 am – F322 – “Expand and Support Your Genealogy Research with DNA Tools,” Anna Swayne
2:30 pm – F342 – “Understanding the Science Behind Your DNA Results,” Julie Granka
4:00 pm – F352- “Creating a Genetic Network,” Diahan Lyn Southard

Saturday, May 13

8:00 am – S402 – “Ethical and Legal Considerations for Genetic Genealogists,” Blaine Bettinger
9:30 am – S412 – “African American History Etched in my DNA,” Andre Kearns
11:00 am – S421 – “MAXY DNA: Correlating mt-at-X-Y DNA with the GPS” – Debbie Parker Wayne
11:00 am – S422 – “How Group Projects Can Enrich Your DNA Testing Experience,” Lisa Janine Cloud (Blackerby)
2:30 pm – S442 – “Identifying Native American Ancestors Through Genetic Testing,” Lynn Moore McCreery
4:00 pm – S452 – “Case Studies in DNA,” Claudia C. Breland

Hope to see you in Raleigh!