Program: “From Unknown DNA Match to Known Match.”
Presenter: Kelli Bergheimer is a writer, teacher, editor, and international genealogical speaker. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, a Master’s in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master’s in Business Management. Kelli works as the Director of Education for Your DNA Guide. She operates a small business—Mess on the Desk, a genealogical organization company with a YouTube channel. Kelli is the facilitator for Genetics, Genealogy, and You, an online DNA Interest Group and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speaker's Guild.
The Workshop: The hard part of figuring out who is who in your DNA match lists is where to start and what to do. Learn tips for identifying cousins in your match list. This is an interactive program that is part lecture, part hands-on independent work. We will work together using an unknown match at AncestryDNA to figure out who he or she is. Then we will spend time for you to attempt to figure out one of your DNA matches. You can use any of the five DNA testing companies (AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage DNA, Living DNA, or FamilyTreeDNA) to work on your own unknown match. You will leave this workshop with a clear direction, new skills, and strategies to identify those matches in your lists!
Student Prerequisites:
To fully participate, here are some requirements:
- Bring your laptop computer (not a tablet) for the hands-on session.
- You need to be proficient in your laptop functionality, operations, and file management, and have troubleshooting skills and the knowledge of how to join a wi-fi network.
- Bring your DNA account login information.
- Make sure your laptop is fully charged since outlets are limited.
Here is a link to a 60-minute video Kelli presented at Rootstech called “DNA Misconceptions.” This video discusses some basic information about DNA testing and common misconceptions that people have about DNA results. This is excellent background for the workshop.
NOTE: There is a parking lot across from the library and ample on-street parking.
