Let’s talk DNA myths. You know the ones I mean – those “facts” about genetic genealogy that everyone seems to believe but aren’t quite right. The ones that make you doubt your DNA matches or miss crucial connections.
Well, grab your coffee and get comfortable, because we’re about to dive into some serious myth-busting, courtesy of DNA expert Paula Williams.
The Webinar Rundown
Legacy Family Tree Webinars just dropped another knowledge bomb on us with “Challenging Some DNA Myths – Learn to Separate DNA Fact from Fiction (free to watch until 12/11).
This isn’t your typical dry DNA lecture. Paula Williams brings her A-game with real-world examples, fake Facebook posts (based on real misconceptions), and practical solutions to common DNA dilemmas.
Over 2,100 genealogists from 30 countries tuned in live – that’s how valuable this information is.
Takeaways
DNA Isn’t a Solo Act
Here’s the thing – DNA is powerful, but it’s not a lone wolf. Paula dropped this truth bomb early: DNA never stands alone. Even with parent-child matches, you need more evidence. Names, ages, family structure – it all matters.
Think you can tell a parent from a child just by the amount of shared DNA? Not so fast. What about twins? Bone marrow transplants? It’s more complicated than you might think.
Paula shared a fascinating example of how even a seemingly straightforward parent-child match needs context. A match sharing 3,563 cM could be your mother – or your daughter.
The X chromosome and mtDNA haplogroups can provide additional clues, but you still need more evidence to prove the relationship.
Working with “No Tree” Matches
You know those DNA matches without trees? The ones everyone says are worthless? Yeah, not so fast. Paula showed us several strategies for working with these matches:
- Look for shared matches and build their trees
- Check obituaries for family connections
- Explore social media profiles for family information
- Use MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity or Ancestry’s ThruLines to spot potential connections
- Focus on matches that share DNA with multiple known relatives
She demonstrated how she solved a family mystery using matches with minimal trees – some had just 2 or 4 people! The key was building out these small trees and finding common surnames and locations.
ThruLines: Friend or Foe?
Real talk: ThruLines and theory tools get a bad rap. Sure, they’re not perfect. But dismissing them entirely? That’s like throwing away your metal detector because it sometimes picks up bottle caps. Paula showed us how to use these tools effectively:
- Always click the “evaluate” button to see the supporting evidence
- Check the trees and records used to make the connection
- Look for multiple DNA matches from different family lines
- Verify the suggested relationships make sense geographically and chronologically
- Use the tools as hints, not conclusions
Age Gaps and Generations
This one’s wild. Paula shared how President John Tyler, born in 1790, has a grandson alive today. In 2024! How? Multiple marriages and children late in life. It completely shatters the myth that people the same age must be in the same generation.
This knowledge is crucial when evaluating DNA matches and potential relationships.
The X Factor
X-DNA inheritance is trickier than most people realize. Paula broke down several myths:
- No X-DNA doesn’t automatically mean a paternal match
- Sisters sharing a father always share a full X chromosome, but maternal half-sisters can too
- X-DNA matches without autosomal DNA aren’t necessarily “too distant” to be useful
- Understanding X-DNA inheritance patterns can help solve family mysteries
She shared a fascinating case study using X-DNA to investigate her ancestor Henry Brown’s mother – proving that even small pieces of DNA evidence can be valuable when used correctly.
Ethnicity Estimates: The Truth
Paula tackled the love-hate relationship genealogists have with ethnicity estimates. Key points:
- Estimates aren’t based on customers’ trees
- Different companies use different reference populations and algorithms
- Siblings can get different estimates because they inherit different DNA
- Communities/Genetic Groups are created differently than ethnicity estimates
- Updates happen when reference populations improve, not just when more people test
Research Strategies That Work
Throughout the webinar, Paula emphasized practical research strategies:
- Use multiple types of evidence – DNA, documents, and family information
- Look for patterns in shared matches
- Build out trees for DNA matches, even if they start small
- Don’t dismiss any source entirely – even imperfect information can provide clues
- Apply the Genealogical Proof Standard to DNA research
- Consider target testing second cousins for better match sorting
- Be patient with potential testers who initially say no
My Take
Paula’s approach is refreshing – she doesn’t just tell us what not to do, she shows us how to work smarter with our DNA results. Her examples of solving family mysteries using a combination of DNA and traditional research are inspiring and, more importantly, replicable.
I particularly appreciated her emphasis on avoiding “source snobbery” – the idea that certain types of genealogical sources are worthless. As she pointed out, even imperfect sources can contain valuable information found nowhere else.
Ready to Level Up Your DNA Game?
Here’s the best part – this webinar is currently FREE to watch for the next week (until 12/11)!
But don’t dawdle – it’s only free for a week. After that, you’ll need a paid membership to access it.
Head over to Legacy Family Tree Webinars now to catch this genealogy goldmine while you can.
And timing couldn’t be better – DNA testing prices are at rock bottom right now during the holiday season. There’s never been a better time to dive into genetic genealogy or expand your testing pool.
Check out my guide to the best DNA tests.
Just make sure you’re using these tools the right way – and now, thanks to Paula, you know how.
Remember, every DNA match is a potential breakthrough waiting to happen. Don’t let common myths hold you back from making those discoveries.
Happy ancestor hunting, fellow DNA detectives! 🧬🔍
P.S. if you want to dig deeper into genetic genealogy, I highly recommend Blaine Bettinger’s The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy.