This post relates to Part 1 of the DNA Research Framework - Understanding DNA Basics.
There are five parts to the DNA Research Framework.
- Understand DNA Basics
- Know what you are working with
- Combine genetic and genealogical research
- Use genetic research to prove and expand your pedigree
- Continuous review
Within the framework we apply a DNA research methodology to ensure we systematically and methodically review our results, to improve our productivity and success rates.
The following blog posts provide more detailed information about the DNA Research framework, applying the DNA Research Methodology and building your DNA analysis skills:
This post contains reference material to supplement the chromosome analysis course at the Society of Australian Genealogists: Part 1 - Understand DNA Basics. Whether you are planning to look at your results using a broad analysis approach, or undertaking chromosome analysis, these links should help you develop the key concepts required to be able start your DNA analysis journey. The ISOGG site also has a lot of useful material refer - ISOGG Beginners' guides to genetic genealogy.
Understanding DNA Basics - Total cMs, the broad approach
When you first start reviewing your DNA results it is best to approach them broadly (using total cMs, largest matches first) and understand basic concepts before moving to analysing results at the chromosome level. These blog posts will aid your learning, so work through them systematically.
- Research Plan, V.Williams 2016
- Develop your pedigree - Filling in the blanks, Judy Russell 2019
- 3 Types of DNA tests
- 4 Types of DNA, Roberta Estes 2012
- DNA Beginnings, 2021, Roberta Estes 2021 (subscribe to this new series!)
- Inheritance paths - Y-DNA and mtDNA (ISOGG)
- Inheritance paths and recombination - Concepts: Inheritance, Roberta Estes 2020
- Everyone has two trees - Blaine Bettinger, 2009
- How many matches do I have, Roberta Estes 2021
- What is a match? Roberta Estes, August 2021
- Shared matches at AncestryDNA- Roberta Estes, May 2022 (no longer current - changed June 2024, but many concepts still relevant)
- Relationship predictions - cousinship (ISOGG)
- Relationship predictions - shared cMs (v4 Blaine Bettinger 2020)
- ISOGG Terms and definitions
- Handy Reference Charts - DNA Sydney
- What is your objective? - Jim Bartlett, 2022
Understanding DNA Basics - Chromosome analysis
After working with your DNA results broadly for a time you will want to delve into analysing your results at the chromosome level. To confirm your pedigree beyond 3rd cousins or where there is no documented paper trail (with the exception of parent/child and sibling relationships) you need to undertake detailed chromosome analysis, using segment data.
Firstly, make sure you understand the concepts outlined in the Total cMs broad approach section (above), before working through the following posts. These are more relevant for working with your DNA results at the chromosome level.
- What to expect - Roberts Estes 2019
- Concepts: Inheritance, Roberta Estes 2020
- Recombining Relations, Judy Russell 2021
- Fully Identical and Half Identical Regions (FIR/HIR), whoareyoumadeof.com 2021
- X marks the spot - Roberta Estes 2012
- We match segments, not matches, Jim Bartlett, Segment-ology, Jun 2022
- Triangulation: The what, why and how - Roberta Estes, 2021
- How to Triangulate - Jim Bartlett, Segment-ology. May 2015
- The Benefits of Triangulation - Jim Bartlett, Segment-ology, May 2015
- One chromosome, two sides, no zipper - Roberta Estes 2015 (for use with FTDNA, slides are dated but the concepts are well explained)
- Shared ancestral segments and false positives (IBD, IBP, IBC/IBS) - Roberta Estes 2017
- Recombining Relations, The Legal Genealogist 2021
- 8 ways to use ancestral trees in DNA Painter, Jonny Perl 2020
- ISOGG Beginners' guides to genetic genealogy
- Handy Reference Charts - DNA Sydney
- How to transfer your DNA to other sites - Louise Coakley, 2022
- Getting started with GEDmatch - Family History Fanatics, You Tube video, then progress through the series.
- Why are my results different at each DNA websites? Family History Fanatics, You Tube, 2022
Suggested activities
The following activities will help you apply 'Module 1' in practice. They can be completed using the GEDmatch 'free' version. The Tier 1 subscription has more tools but it is recommended that you start with the free version and master that first.
* Examine your closest matches, using the Total cMs approach to identify close cousins that may help you with your chromosome analysis;
* Investigate a large unknown match to identify 'shared matches', 'shared segments' and 'triangulated segments'.
* Using the techniques learned in the previous exercises, examine a known match and identify other matches who share 'triangulated segments' and may form part of a 'triangulated group'. The output of this exercise will be used in later modules.
Recommended Facebook Groups and Blogs
- Using DNA for Genealogy - Australia and NZ - Louise Coakley, also her blog 'genie1';
- Genetic Genealogy, Tips and Techniques - Blaine Bettinger, also his blog 'The Genetic Genealogist';
- DNAeXplained - Roberta Estes;
- Segment-ology - Jim Bartlett.
Veronica Williams
First published: 25 August 2021
Last updated: 10 July 2024
