The sharing of essential additions to a genealogist’s personal library is a key component of many classes, institutes, and genealogy forums. With so much information out there, it’s nice to hear what resources others have found to be instrumental in helping them have success in their genealogical research.
In that vein, I’d like to share a book that I feel is an essential volume to have in your library: Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin of Family Locket.
As a disclaimer, I am a contracted researcher for Family Locket Genealogists and have worked with the authors for 2 1/2 years. In addition, I was able to review the manuscript and help with the editing process prior to publication. I also received both digital and physical copies of the book at no charge.
I feel my professional involvement with the authors also qualifies me to write a knowledgeable review of the material presented in this book. I have taken part in multiple Research Like a Pro With DNA study groups led by these three experts, and I am a firm believer in the step-by-step process they have developed. It has guided my journey. I began as a novice and, under their tutelage, I have now used DNA evidence to confirm genetic relationships and discover new ancestors in a number of cases. I feel confident in my ability to organize DNA matches, create a research objective, determine which DNA tools will be useful for analyzing DNA evidence for a particular case, and write and correlate my findings in a cohesive way.
Diana, Nicole, and Robin have combined their knowledge of DNA and their Research Like a Pro process to create a resource that will walk you through making sense of DNA evidence and effectively using it in your genealogical research. Whether you are a beginner who hasn’t even taken a DNA test yet, a more experienced genealogist who is looking for a way to be more structured in your use of DNA evidence, or someone in between, this book will serve as a great reference guide. In the words of Paul Woodbury, who wrote the foreward for this book:
Not only does the book ably review the science, the methodologies, and their applications, but it also provides a framework for efficient prioritization of research strategies, thus helping you to make wise choices as you begin actually applying genetic evidence to your genealogical research or genealogical evidence to your genetics research.
Paul Woodbury, “Foreward,” Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, Robin Wirthlin, Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence (Highland, Utah: Family Locket Books, 2021), viii.
I am excited to have this book at my fingertips. It gathers everything I have learned from the authors into one accessible place. The book’s 332 pages are packed with valuable information that is presented in a clear and easy-to-follow manner. In addition, here are a few bonuses that for me make this book uniquely valuable:
- The chapters are enhanced by wonderful graphics and charts that readers will refer to again and again, including DNA inheritance patterns, tables that show probabilities of relationships, and a bell curve of DNA tools that lays out the tools and the typical progression of their use in DNA research projects, just to name a few.
- An entire chapter devoted to writing source citations for DNA and documentary sources will be a treasure for those who want to write a well-documented report about their DNA findings.
- An additional bonus for readers is the supplemental material at the back. This section points readers to a web page where they will find templates and work samples. It also provides a source list and bibliography for further study. Three work samples are included in Appendix C of the book – entire case studies of DNA research projects conducted by each of the authors.
- We learn best by doing, and as a bonus, each chapter includes an assignment so the reader can apply what they are learning as they go.
I would invite anyone who wants to enhance their ability and efficiency as a genetic genealogist to purchase a copy of this book, read it carefully, and complete each assignment. You will be amazed at the progress you will make!
