DNA

DNA Day this Month

U.S. National DNA Day was April 25th. Have you caught the bug to do a DNA test? Boy, those tests are selling like hotcakes! Whether you’re trying to find birth parents, other ancestors, or determine your ethnicity, DNA tests can assist you tremendously.

What test should you take? If you are trying to find matches to find parents or other relations, I would suggest Ancestry.com. They have the largest database and the more folks in it, the better your chances to have matches that assist you in your objectives. If you are of Jewish heritage, I would recommend MyHeritage.com. They are based in Israel and will identify if your heritage is Ashkenazim (German or central European) or Sephardim (Spanish, Portuguese or North African base).

If you are not sure how to take a DNA test click here. If you’ve taken a test and want to know what those results mean on Ancestry.com click here.

If you are interested in taking a Y-DNA or mtDNA test go to FamilyTreeDNA.com. If you don’t know what a Y-DNA test or mtDNA test is, check out this video:

Until next time…

DNA, Genealogy basics, Research helps

DNA helps

Are you interested in taking a DNA test? Have you done so but looking for more information? My latest video discusses the various DNA test options one has for genealogy research and details Y-DNA tests. Or visit my DNA playlist for other videos that may help (Click HERE).

Research helps

Favorite Free Genealogy Websites (plus a few that are worth the $)

I’m often asked what websites and books I use most for my professional research. Below is a video outlining my favorite family history websites which is premiering Tuesday 7am (pacific). The next video is about my favorite genealogy books and available now.

Here are links to the books from the video on Favorite Genealogy Books (the links below are through my Amazon affiliate account where I receive a small commission, but there is no additional cost to you).

Process Oriented Books:

Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones https://amzn.to/3teXbAB

Professional Genealogy by Elizabeth Shown Mills https://amzn.to/3q3VLXw

Genealogy Standards by Board for Certification of Genealogists https://amzn.to/32ZnDDq

Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills https://amzn.to/3JQwIiz – Older book (I have) Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian by Elizabeth Shown Mills https://amzn.to/3f1Uxpt – I also have (helps you build citations) QuickSheet: Your Stripped-Bare Guide to Citing Sources https://amzn.to/31CpQE34:58

DNA Books:

The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger https://amzn.to/3qST1LO5:42

General Resource Books:

Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses 1790-1920 https://amzn.to/3n7nHrD

United States Atlas 1890 and Complete Post-Office Directory by Eleanor S. Hutcheson https://amzn.to/3t7sKvQ

Cemetery Iconography: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism by Cassidy Madariaga – not available – alternate – Stories in Stone by Gibbs Smith https://amzn.to/3HJWuTN

Courthouse Research for Family Historians by Christine Rose https://amzn.to/3fkIdkp

Nicknames: Past and Present by Christine Rose https://amzn.to/3q6Ln1a What Did They

Mean by That? By Paul Drake https://amzn.to/3r7vkiK10:17 African American Research:

The Best of Reclaiming Kin by Robyn N. Smith https://amzn.to/31CnQvx

A Genealogists Guide to Discovering Your African-American Ancestors by Franklin Carter Smith and Emily Anne Croom https://amzn.to/3JT3jnS

Directory of African American Religious Bodies – Howard University https://amzn.to/3q3VLXw

Ari Wilkins – African American Researcher – https://www.blackgenesis.com

SOME ADDITIONAL BOOKS:

These missed the show, but I just ordered them – one on land grants, land grants and deeds are essential for genealogy research, the other on tax lists, another frequently overlooked resource for difficult genealogy problems.

Military Bounty Land, 1776-1855 by Christine Rose – https://amzn.to/3GqIwG9

The Genealogist’s Guide to Researching Tax Records by Carol Cooke Darrow and Susan Winchester – https://amzn.to/3trx3Cu