Some companies that offer DNA testing for genealogy purposes are making changes soon.
• The National Geographic Society’s Genographic DNA Project, launched in 2005, is scheduled to end public participation and input. See genographic.nationalgeographic.com for more information.
• GEDmatch is notifying current members that they will need to opt in for DNA results previously copied to the site to be used in law enforcement investigation. Out of the millions of people tested across all DNA companies, the number of tests copied to GEDmatch was estimated to be 930,000 in 2018.
New members will have to choose when they sign up. A good explanation of GEDmatch can be found on Wikipedia, with citations. GEDmatch recently upgraded its website to a new Genesis format, with all results transferring over. Check the site in order to learn more about these changes, as well as how to opt in. It is a great site that allows DNA results from most testing companies to be copied for comparison at no charge.
• All companies are updating various portions of their DNA test results, so be sure to check. Read the Help sections, and try out the new changes, especially on Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, 23andMe and FamilyTreeDNA. Some changes may not be complete until summer’s end.
And, speaking of DNA tests, DNA Testing 101 is the theme of Blaine Bettinger’s article “Blinding me with Science: Demystify your DNA by Learning the Basic Science Behind Genetic Genealogy.” It’s in the July-August issue of FamilyTreeMagazine. Bettinger, a DNA expert, lays out how the testing works, how to analyze results and how ethnic estimates are achieved. He includes references and websites. It’s well worth reading. Check familytreemagazine.com.
DNA classes, seminars
• The South Carolina Genealogical Society is hosting its annual summer workshop July 12-13 in Columbia, with Bettinger as the keynote speaker. On the website, go to “workshop.” Many other speakers and subjects are being offered as well.
• Diahan Southard, another nationally known DNA speaker, will give an all-day seminar for the Georgia Genealogical Society on September 21 in Macon. See gagensociety.org for more details and to register.
• The National Genealogical Society has announced that a new series of online courses, related to genetic genealogy, will begin soon. They are part of National Geographic’s Continuing Genealogical Studies. Go to ngsgenealogy.org, then “Learning Center” and “genealogy courses.”
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