Genetics for Genealogy
This page provides a platform to organize and distribute workshop and course materials on the genetics of genealogical relationships. Here you will find slide presentations from past events along with links to web pages containing detailed explanations of certain topics.
Source: Bryant McAllister, PhD
Overview: With a single mouse-click sophisticated genetic tests for human ancestry analysis are available directly to consumers at a relatively low cost. Advances in human genetics over the past 30 years have enabled the emergence and growth of this “recreational genetics” marketplace. My goal is to introduce the science underlying these tests, compare the products delivered by the companies that dominate the US marketplace (e.g., 23andMe, AncestryDNA, Family Tree DNA, MyHeritageDNA, and The Genographic Project), and demonstrate their utility. Personal genetic analysis provides a window into the past at different time scales, including genetic inferences of pre-genealogical ancestry along with the discovery of genetic relationships between cousins as a genealogical research tool. They also provide the means to glean information from your own DNA recipe.
Objectives
- Evaluate the products and deliverables of direct-to-consumer DNA tests
- Conceptualize the organization of the human genome and properties that contribute to its variability among individuals
- Build proficiency in the methods and interpretation of test results of human ancestry and biological relationships
DNA Interest Group - Iowa City
This group usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month, 6-7pm, at the Iowa City Public Library. Group meetings are suspended until further notice.
Complete this interest form if you would like to be notified by email of future classes and events.
Past Events & Materials
Y-DNA in Genealogical Research - June 2022
The Attraction in Our Genes - February 2020
An Update on the DNA Marketplace - January 2020
Transposable Elements: the "ghosts' in our genome - October 2019
DTC Genetic Testing: when to see a genetic counselor - September 2019
Integrating Deep & Shallow Genealogical DNA Tests - August 2019
DNA Segments - triangulate or exasperate - July 2019
Clustering DNA Relatives into Family Lines - June 2019
Case Study: Using atDNA to Find a German Hometown - May 2019
DNA Databases and Crime Scene Investigation - April 2019
Ethical implications of recent genetic advancements - March 2019
An introduction to epigenetics - February 2019
Thank You for Coming (Film Screening) - November 2018
Tips on getting more from an AncestryDNA test - October 2018
Predicting your traits - September 2018 (slides, application)
Inclusion improves medial genetics - August 2018
Who we are and how we got here - a book discussion (Table of Contents and links to reviews and materials) - July 2018
DNA: your partner in crime? - June 2018
Pharmacogenomics: How Genes Inform Drug Therapy - May 2018
The Human Genome - April 2018
Why the Y? (and not the mtDNA) - March 2018
What Are You? Race, Ethnicity and Genetic Testing - February 2018
Changes in the DNA Marketplace - January 2018
Doggy DNA - November 2017
Identifying and Predicting Relationships - October 2017
Reference Pedigree and Shared cM Summary
Family History Revealed: Part 2 - Finding - September 2017
Family History Revealed: Part 1 - Searching - August 2017
Archaic Ancestry - July 2017
Genetic CommunitiesTM at AncestryDNA - June 2017
DNA Mythbusters - May 23, 2017
DNA Day 2017 - Personalizing Genetics Education - April 25, 2017
Student Genetic Ancestry Testing - Dr. Charles Aquadro, Cornell University
Interpreting SNP Data - March 28, 2017
Ancestry Prediction - February 24, 2017
Exploring the DNA Marketplace - January 24, 2017
Getting More from AncestryDNA
Iowa City Genealogical Society, Iowa City, IA - February 29, 2018
Getting More from AncestryDNA
Genealogical Society of Linn County Iowa, Cedar Rapids, IA - January 25, 2018
Genetics for Genealogy: navigating the DNA marketplace
Genealogical Society of Linn County Iowa, Cedar Rapids, IA - January 26, 2018
Slides, Summary, Guide to SNP Matching
DNA Connections and Digging for the Root of "Our" - M19 - McAllister Family Tree
Clan Mcallister of America Gathering, Memphis, TN - August 11, 2018
The Personal Genome: Navigating the DNA Marketplace
Triangle Club, Iowa City, IA - February 18, 2018
Using DNA in Genealogy: Navigating the DNA Marketplace
Franklin Avenue Library, Des Moines, IA - February 21, 2017
The Personal Genome: The Past Revealed through Genetic Tests
UIAA Lifelong Learning - November 9, 2016, 6:30 pm
Genetics for Genealogy: Hands-On Computer Workshops
Kirkwood Regional Center at The University of Iowa, Room 60
Getting to Know Your DNA Relatives - October 5 & 6, 2016
Slides - Oct. 5
Slides - Oct. 6
Building DNA Families - October 12 & 13, 2016
Slides - Oct. 12
Slides - Oct. 13
Genetics for Genealogy: Hands-On Computer Workshops
John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center, Des Moines, IA
Getting to Know Your DNA Relatives - August 8 & 9, 2016
Slides - Aug. 8
Slides - Aug. 9
Building DNA Families - August 10 & 11, 2016
Slides - Aug. 10
Slides - Aug. 11
DNA: Unlocking the Code (Syllabus)
April 9, 2016 - Des Moines, IA
Session 1 - Navigating the DNA Marketplace (slides)
Session 2 - Connecting Cousins for Genetic Genealogy (slides)
Session 3
- Option A - Getting More from Your SNP Data (Advanced - slides)
- Option B - Small-Group Tutorials (Beginner)
Session 4 - Ancestry Analysis from DNA (slides)
Genetics for Ancestry, Genealogy and more
Week 1, Feb. 4 - DNA and the Human Genome
Potential Consequences of DNA Testing (written for a seminar course)
Comparison of DNA Testing Options
Week 2, Feb. 11 - Ancestry Analysis from DNA
Genealogy to Trees: Inheritance and Tracing Ancestry Near and Far
Mitochondrial Eve & Y-Chromosome Adam
Week 3, Feb. 18 - Connecting Cousins for Genetic Genealogy
Week 4, Feb. 25 - Recreational Genetics