NextGen Genealogy: The DNA Connection

by David R. Dowell, Cece Moore

DNA testing can serve as a powerful tool that unlocks the hidden information within our bodies for family history research. This book explains how genetic genealogy works and answers the questions of genealogists and individuals seeking information on their family trees.

Now that DNA testing for genealogical purposes has existed for nearly a decade and a half―and been refined and improved during that time―it has established its value among family history researchers. It is now becoming accepted as another tool in the kit of well-rounded genealogists. This book covers this fast-growing application of genetics, empowering genealogists to apply this information to further their research. It will also enable general readers to understand how genetic information can be applied to verify or refute documentary research―and to break down frustrating walls that block the discovery of ancestors.

The book describes the three major categories of DNA testing for family history Y-chromosome tests for investigating paternal (surname) lines, mitochondrial tests for investigating maternal (umbilical) lines, and autosomal tests for exploring close relationships. Expert genealogist David Dowell provides guidance on deciding which test to take and identifying which members of your family should be tested to answer your most important genealogical questions. Readers will also learn how to interpret the results of tests and methods for further analysis to get additional value from them.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2014

About the author

DAVID R. DOWELL, Ph.D., has two degrees in history and two in library science, as well as 35 years of experience as a librarian and 4 years as a special investigative officer in the U.S. Air Force. He has taught courses in U.S. genealogy research and European genealogy research since his retirement in 2007 and has researched his family history for four decades. He is a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists, National Genealogical Society, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Southern California Genealogy Society, and the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society. He is co-coordinator of two surname and one haplogroup DNA projects and has chaired both the Genealogy and the Ethics Committees of the American Library Association. He taught an online course: Ethics In The Information Age. He plans to integrate his interest in genealogy, ethics and DNA testing in his latest book is NextGen Genealogy: The DNA Connection. It reflects his growing interest in adding DNA testing as an important tool in family history research. He periodically lectures as part of the Osher Lifelong Learning program at Vanderbilt University. Check out his blog Dr D. Diggs Up Ancestors at http://blog.ddowell.com and his more complete resume at http://ddowell.com/dave/resume.pdf or bio sketch at http://www.haplogroup.org/dave-dowell/.

Reviews

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read on the ins and outs of DNA testing in genealogy. I recently did sent my FamilyTreeDNA test back (still waiting for results), so I especially enjoyed learning more about FTDNA’s take on things. Parts of the book were a little too technical for me, but then I’m still learning!

I borrowed this ebook from my local public library via the Overdrive app.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While parts were a little too technical for me, I ended up really liking this book. I liked that the author included examples and diagrams. (I was in the same audience with the author at a presentation by CeCe Moore on genetic genealogy, so I almost feel like I know him.) I would like to own it, but have not bought it for 2 reasons: I found it a bit expensive and I am afraid, since it was published around 2014, that it may already be outdated.