Genetic Genealogy Ireland’s online lectures a good place to start learning about DNA testing

I’ll be honest. I have not used DNA testing in my genealogy research, but I am tempted to do so. But I want to learn more about it.

One of my brick walls is Mary Fyvie’s siblings and parents, who likely lived in Aberdeenshire, perhaps in Monymusk or New Machar. Mary’s baptism record was either destroyed in a fire, remains elusive, or perhaps never existed. Still, I keep looking for clues. Would DNA testing help me find her parents and siblings?

In September, I sat next to genetic genealogy expert and lecturer Debbie Kennett at a British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa dinner — and I never asked her a question about DNA testing. Not sure if that makes me dumb or polite.

Since I missed the opportunity to learn from Ms. Kennett in a one-on-one situation, I  resorted to finding other ways to learn from her. And I found a good one.

Ms. Kennett and other genetic experts spoke at the Genetic Genealogy Ireland conference this past fall, and GGI has posted 18 of the 20 presentations delivered on its YouTube Channel.

So far, I have watched Debbie Kennett’s lecture DNA for Beginners (52 minutes) and Katherine Borge’s DNA Testing Basics (41 minutes). They are very good. Watching these lectures is almost like attending the conference without the syllabus — and without the free pens in the delegate bag. (I had to take notes with my own pen.)

While you cannot see the presenters in these videos, you can easily hear them while you look at their PowerPoint presentation.

If you are like I am and want to learn more about DNA testing, these GGI presentations are a good place to start.