Understanding Your DNA Health Reports

In December 2018, Kelli Bergheimer of the Central Ohio DIG, once again agreed to share her expertise with her southwest Ohio brethren. It seems like more and more of the DNA companies we have used to explore our ethnicity and to identify "cousins" have begun to offer a health component.

Before you take the plunge into this fledgling field, it is important that you educate yourself about what you can and cannot expect from health reports. Are they reliable? Do they take the place of what you might expect to get from a medical professional?

Kelli did a wonderful job of spelling out the pros and cons. You can access this video through the Hamilton County Genealogical Society website or by clicking on this link: https://vimeo.com/313559534 You can also view it on the HCGS YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/MrP22390wiQ.



Submitted by Kathy Reed
Southwest Ohio DNA Interest Group
dna.interest@hcgsohio.org

SWOHDNA Meeting - How to Use DNAPainter for Chromosome Matching

Who:  Kathy Reed, SWOHDNA
What: How to Use DNAPainter Software for Chromosome Mapping
Where: MidPointe Library West Chester
When: Tuesday, February 12th, 2019
Time: 7:00 - 8:45 pm
Directions: MidPointe Library West Chester

If you are a "Genetic Genealogy Nerd," then this is the software for you. Most of us are familiar with Gedmatch and its ability to help us identify relatives who share DNA with us. We can determine how much DNA we share and on which chromosomes. There is a tool that enables us to identify people who match one of both of two kits.  So you have to wonder? Why would I need this tool?

This software does have some nice features if you are interested in assigning specific segments of DNA to a specific ancestor i.e. Great-Grandfather. Initially, the software was free, but as bells and whistles have been added, you now must subscribe to really take advantage of its features. The cost is $30 for six months or $55 for a yearly subscription. There is no cost to set up a profile and try the software out. This should help you decided if it is a tool you want to add to your tool box or not.

Additional information:

Jonny Perl, the developer of this software, received an Award at the 2018 RootsTech Conference. 
For a great story about how this tool came about, click on the link: 
2018 RootsTech DNA Innovation Award Winner

************************************************************************

If anyone is looking for an opportunity to learn more about using your DNA testing for genealogy research, Family History Fanatics will be producing "A Winter of DNA" eConference on January 26th.  Speakers and topics will include:

Tim Janzen - Maximizing Your Use of GEDmatch
Richard Hill - Finding Family with DNA Testing: A Genetic Detective Story
Andy Lee - DNA Tree Building: What to Do When GEDmatch Matches Don't Respond
Maurice Gleeson - Using Y-DNA in Your Family Tree Research

The online sessions will begin at 9am Central Time on January 26th. A final panel discussion will end the day.  All registrants will be able to view the conference for 30 days.  Register and get your questions answered by some of the most popular genetic genealogy educators! Presentations are live, not pre-recorded, and you can ask questions throughout.

Price is only $19.99 until January 18th and then it will be $24.99.  Also, we will be having DNA kits and other stuff as door prizes that will be given away.  You don't have to be present to win, but you do have to register.

More information is available on the website: http://www.familyhistoryfanatics.com/winterdna

Feel free to let any friends, family, or genealogy society members (or anyone else who may be interested) know about this great opportunity. 

Kathy Reed
dna.interest.org