Advancing Genetic Genealogy Conference Programme

Whole-genome ancestry in Northern Europe from the Iron Age to today. 

Abstract

Ancient DNA has provided a new genetic history of humankind, informing our understanding of present-day genetic variation and disease. However, recent genetic history over short time scales is challenging to reconstruct as it often involves fine-scale ancestry differences, often leaving important historical events below the detection threshold. I will discuss our new work on a framework for ancestry modelling based on recent genealogical history, applied to develop detailed ancestry portraits in Roman Periods and Early Medieval Northern Europe. I will also discuss ancestry studies in ancient genomes from our laboratory.

Biography

Pontus Skoglund is the group leader of the Francis Crick Institute's Ancient Genomics laboratory. He obtained his PhD in evolutionary genetics from Uppsala University in 2013 with Mattias Jakobsson, and thereafter did his postdoctoral research with David Reich at Harvard Medical School. His research has focused on developing new approaches to propel the field of ancient DNA into the genomic era. His PhD research revealed population migrations as catalyzers for the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agriculture in Europe, and he expanded this to worldwide regions in his postdoc research. In 2018, he founded the first high-throughput ancient DNA laboratory in Britain at the Francis Crick Institute. His independent lab has used ancient DNA to pioneer research revealing the origin and evolution of dogs and their wild ancestors, and the evolution of bacteria and human immunity in prehistory. He is a primary author of 26 peer-reviewed publications, including 10 in the interdisciplinary journals Nature, Science and Cell. He is a Wellcome Trust Investigator, ERC starting and consolidator grantee, EMBO Young Investigator, Vallee Foundation Scholar and Blavatnik Award finalist.

Finding relatives, naming skeletons: archaeogenetics and genealogical research

Abstract

The field of human archaeogenetics (ancient DNA) has developed rapidly over the last decade but has had limited direct applicability to genealogical research. This is primarily because archaeogenetic research has focussed on ancient time periods where addressing questions about human evolution and population history can be particularly impactful. The ancient people whose DNA is studied in these projects usually lived too long ago for there to be a reasonable chance of establishing genealogical connections with living people. However, archaeogenetics laboratories have been increasingly focussing on cemeteries from later periods of human history and are moving into historical eras where methods like sharing of identity-by-descent segments could plausibly connect ancient skeletons with living people. The Skoglund Ancient Genomics Laboratory at The Francis Crick Institute is working on a Wellcome Trust-funded project named ‘aGB: 1000 Ancient Genomes from Great Britain’. Part of this project involves sequencing whole genomes of hundreds of people who lived in Britain within the last 500 years, and some from only 170 years ago. Here I will discuss these developments, their applicability to genealogical and archaeological (in, for instance, the possibility of ‘de-anonymising skeletons’) research, and the ethical issues which may arise from this sort of research.

Biography

Dr. Tom Booth has a PhD in Archaeological Science from the University of Sheffield and currently works as a Senior Research Scientist in the Ancient Genomics Laboratory at The Francis Crick Institute in London. He has spent the last 9 years sampling human remains from Britain for DNA analysis and trying to understand the results in their archaeological contexts. Tom has worked on a number of projects looking at DNA from prehistoric Britain, including the analysis of the Mesolithic Cheddar Man skeleton, as well as patterns of genetic change and relatedness amongst burials dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods.

What can genetic genealogy reveal about Scottish noble families in the Anglo-Norman era (1093-1286)?

Abstract

There is a common consensus among historians that the reign of king David I of Scotland (1124-1153 CE) facilitated a revolutionary change in the governance of Scotland termed the Anglo-Norman era (1093-1286 CE). With the promise of land grants and high-status, David I invited a significant number of noblemen, knights, and tradesmen of Anglo-Norman, French, and Flemish origin into Scotland, radically changing the governance of Scotland into a feudal system.

Although there is clear historical evidence of the significant changes made by David I, there is limited knowledge of the impact made by the foreign settlers on the population genetics of Scotland, and whether these foreign settlers totally or partial replaced the existing indigenous nobility. By investigating the Y-DNA of the direct paternal descendants of the noble families that ruled Scotland during the Anglo-Norman era, this study will further our understanding of the lives and familial relationships of medieval Scotland. This study will also provide further evidence to help historians make conclusions about the genetic impact made by the foreign settlers, conclude whether their genetic impact is regional specific, and assess how their genetic legacy is represented within the modern-day Scottish population.

Some historians have attempted to investigate the survival rate of historical noble lineages using limited mythologies that solely rely on documentary evidence that is often fragmented and filled with gaps. Y-SNP data will be useful to historians as it will provide reliable data that can effectively help fill in the gaps associated with documentary research; therefore, allowing researchers to make more reliable conclusions. Furthermore, the Y-SNP data will prove to be a valuable source of evidence for genealogists as this data can be effectively utilised to help bridge gaps in documentation evidence when researching individuals that are direct paternal descendants of noble lineages. The Y-SNP data will also provide further evidence that could help to explain the level of migrations between Scotland, England, France, and Belgium post-1066 CE; providing opportunities to investigate the relationships between lineages and surnames associated with Norman diaspora.

Biography

Philip Stead is a doctoral student at the University of Strathclyde. His research focuses on researching the Y-chromosomal DNA associated to Scottish noble families that ruled Scotland during the Anglo-Norman era (1093-1286). Philip completed his MSc in Genealogical Studies in 2022 with a dissertation that focused on analysing the atDNA and yDNA of members of Clan Forbes. Philip’s dissertation identified several yDNA SNPs associated to the Forbes Chieftain lineage and several cadet branches.

The forgotten Scots: The role of genetic genealogy in reconstructing the ancestry of Polish descendants of the 16th-19th century Scottish settlers and cultivating the memory of Poland’s multi-ethnic past.

Abstract

Although the earliest evidence of Scots migrating to Poland dates back to the 14th century, it was not until the second half of the 16th century – through to the mid-17th century – that the Scottish immigration to Poland significantly intensified (due to religious and economic reasons). Numerous Polish Scots made significant cultural, military, economic and intellectual contributions – their families quickly assimilated, oftentimes adopting Polish surnames and eventually losing the memory of their Scottish ancestry. William Lithgow, a 17th century Scottish traveller, estimated that there were around 30,000 Scottish families in Poland at the time, but modern historians revised the number down to 800-7,400. With limited documents that would allow for a more precise estimate or identifying all original surnames of Scottish settlers, genetic genealogy may be the last remaining method that could further shed light on the shared history of the two nations.

Objective: The Scottish-Polish Project aims to study the Scottish presence in Poland by reconstructing genealogies of Scottish settlers, with the particular emphasis on the 16th and 17th centuries. This is done by analysing the DNA of their confirmed and potential descendants as well as the family branches who had not left Scotland (in conjunction with the archival research).

Design: The research project is subdivided into three parts: i) Archival research – locating archival documents and relevant publications, relating to Scottish settlers in Poland and their families. This allows for identifying the descendants and discovering Polish surnames of Scottish origin. ii) Genetic research – validating the results of genealogical research by comparing DNA (Y DNA, atDNA and mtDNA) of Polish descendants of Scottish settlers with their Scottish relatives iii) Public outreach – emphasising the community aspect of the project and to make the results accessible both to scientific and lay audience.

Biography

Eryk Jan Grzeszkowiak is a genetic genealogist. He has lectured in genetic genealogy at four  universities across Europe and is currently a lecturer in genetics and genetic genealogy at the University College Cork and the University of Limerick. He also works as a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge.

He holds a MSc degree in Human Complex Trait Genetics from the University of Edinburgh. In 2015 he started the first Polish blog devoted to genetic genealogy (genealogiagenetyczna.com). He has since worked with clients from all around the world and presented his research at numerous national and international genetic and genealogical conferences, including the Annual Polish Genealogy conferences at the Royal Castle in Brzeg and the American Society of Human Genetics conferences. He has been interviewed by various media, including TVN, one of the largest TV news stations in Poland, Esquire and Newsweek.

In 2020 he designed Poland’s first academic course in Genetic Genealogy which he taught at the CSW University in Warsaw. Later he taught Genetics for Genetic Genealogists at the University of Strathclyde. He leads the Scottish-Polish Project that explores Poles’ longforgotten Scottish roots by utilising genetic genealogy to reunite Polish people with their Scottish cousins and reconstruct their pedigrees.

Tracing Royal bloodlines: deciphering a genealogical puzzle through the skeletal remains attributed to King William II of the Holy Roman Empire

Abstract

In recent years, genetic genealogy has emerged as a key tool in forensic identification of human remains. Furthermore, the accelerated growth of this field coupled with the expansion of corporate genetic genealogical databases has extended its applications from forensic science to unravelling historical identities and family ties. This research delves into the possible biological connections between William II of Holland, king of the Holy Roman Empire from 1248 to 1256 AD, and his present-day relatives. We discovered their direct paternal lineage to the counts of Holland, navigating through intricate genealogical records and instances of illegitimacy.

Initially, four purported relatives underwent commercial Y-chromosome testing, aiming to confirm their biological connection and rule out any extra-pair paternity events in recent centuries. Next, to validate their purported royal lineage, we examined the alleged skeletal remains of King William II, entombed in Middelburg, the Netherlands. While historians continue to debate whether the Middelburg grave holds the remains of William II or his notable brother Floris de Voogd, this skeleton is suited to test our genealogical conundrum by Ychromosomal analysis. We compared 41 Y-STRs on the skeleton remains and conducted an additional Y-SNP analysis utilizing both whole-genome shotgun and targeted sequencing.

Our results conclusively establish a direct paternal lineage linking either King William II or his brother Floris to the identified relatives, reinforcing the assignation of the skeleton to the family of the counts of Holland and the correctness of our complex genealogical puzzle. The ancient genome analysis also provides additional biographical details of the buried person in Middelburg.

This study showcases the synergistic power of in-depth genealogical research, multiple genomic analysis methods and collaborative efforts involving citizen science and corporate databases. The successful historical identification achieved in this study also opens the door towards using similar multidisciplinary approaches for future historical and genealogical breakthroughs.

Biography

Noah Gaens is a biochemist and PhD student in the Laboratory of Human Genetic Genealogy at KU Leuven.

Refining genealogies through Y-DNA: research results and methodologies

Abstract

Y-DNA research carried out as part of the Battle of Bannockburn and Declaration of Arbroath Family History Projects has now been extended to cover a wider range of families. This research has encountered major challenges in implementation, but also resulted in opportunities to develop methodologies which could be widely applicable. Research has focussed on noble families from the medieval period, which posed a number of challenges. These were the extinction of male lines, which is common over such a long period of time; the difficulties in identifying and then contacting living descendants; obtaining consent from these individuals to take a DNA test in light of ethical, privacy and confidentiality concerns; and, finally, whether the test results were as expected and beneficial to the research. Scottish clans and families are a particularly fruitful area for this type of research, generally having many descendants bearing the surnames. This contrasts strongly with English families, with a much larger number of surnames and less chance of long documented male-line descents. The pattern of surnames in Ireland and Wales tends to show more similarity with that in Scotland.

This presentation will use examples from our research to illustrate what genetic genealogy can reveal about the male line origins of families and the geographical spread and relative socio-economic status of their descendant lines. It will also show how the outcomes can translate into methodologies to help identify specific branches of families and refine the dating of the formation of SNPs.

Biographies

Graham S Holton is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and currently a Lead Tutor of the University of Strathclyde’s Postgraduate Course in Genealogical Studies, within the Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies. His particular areas of interest are medieval genealogy and genetic genealogy and he was the editor of Tracing your ancestors using DNA. He has led the Battle of Bannockburn and Declaration of Arbroath Family History Projects and is responsible for the genetic genealogy research activities undertaken by the University.

Alasdair Macdonald has been involved in family history research since his late teens and has a particular interest in the Scottish Highlands. He was previously employed for many years within the defense and aerospace industry. He completed his MSc in Genealogical Studies focusing on Scottish baronies in 2011 and specializes in Scottish land records and palaeography. His interests focus on the use of DNA in genealogical research and he is currently researching the origin and linkage of male lineages in the British Isles using Y-chromosomal DNA.

An overview of popular genetic genealogy analysis techniques

Abstract

As genealogy databases have grown, analysis techniques and available tools have also evolved. In this presentation, Jonny will discuss some of the most popular methodologies. For each, a summary of the strengths and weaknesses will be included alongside an overview of the options available for trying it out.

Relationship prediction using shared DNA: Predicting genealogical relationships based on DNA shared is challenging, but several tools have emerged that can help. Additional information has also started to be used, such as the number of segments shared and the ages of testers. These improvements can be seen both in third-party tools and within the predicted relationships at AncestryDNA and MyHeritage.

Clustering and DNA match labelling: Clustering DNA matches involves using shared or ‘in common with’ matches to develop genetic networks. This technique became widely adopted from 2018 following the publication by American genealogist Dana Leeds of The Leeds Method. Automated clustering tools were developed by independent developers and subsequently added into MyHeritage and Gedmatch. AncestryDNA and MyHeritage also added the facility for autosomal test takers to label their matches by assigning colours.

Chromosome mapping: A chromosome map is an abstracted set of maternal and paternal chromosomes for a test taker. When a DNA match can be identified and the coordinates of the matching DNA segments can be obtained, these segments can be provisionally assigned to the most recent common ancestors shared by the test taker and the match. By repeating this process for other known genetic relatives, a valuable reference can be put together that can help identify unknown matches.

Biography

Jonny Perl is a genealogist born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, brought up in England, and now based in Swansea in South Wales. His first job involved working on the website BioMedNet, and his early career was in digital production and then web development.

A late adopter of genetic genealogy, he took his first autosomal test at the end of 2016. In 2017 he developed dnapainter.com, a website that focused initially on chromosome mapping. Since then, DNA Painter has been expanded and refined, and now features a wide variety of popular tools including the Shared cM Project tool and What are the Odds?

Biography

Dr. Miga is an Assistant Professor in the Biomolecular Engineering Department at UCSC and an Associate Director of the UCSC Genomics Institute. In 2019, she co-founded the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium, an open, community-based effort to generate the first complete assembly of a human genome. Additionally, Dr. Miga is the Director of the Reference Production Center for the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium (HPRC). Central to Dr. Miga’s research program is the emphasis on satellite DNA biology and the use of long-read and new genome technologies to construct high-quality genetics and epigenetic maps of human peri/centromeric regions.

The Role of atDNA in Genetic Genealogy Research

Abstract

atDNA testing is the most widely employed and popular type of DNA testing for genetic genealogy purposes. This presentation will provide an overview of the history and current status of atDNA testing within the world of genetic genealogy research as well as predictions on potential future developments in this field. Both the benefits and limitations of atDNA testing will be explored and various existing usages of atDNA in genetic genealogy research will be outlined. These include the verification of family trees, the identification of mystery ancestors, the application of ethnicity estimates, the discovery of misattributed parentage events and the breaking of brick walls. Recommendations will be made in regard to the best strategies and methodologies to pursue and the strengths and weaknesses of these options will be compared. Additionally, a review of different tools that can be utilized with atDNA will be included and a case study which demonstrates one of the most prevalent usages of this type of DNA testing will also be featured.

Biography

Michelle Leonard is a Scottish professional genealogist, DNA detective, author, speaker and historian with a wealth of experience in both the traditional and genetic genealogy fields. She runs her own genealogy and DNA consultancy business, Genes & Genealogy, specializing in solving all manner of unknown ancestor mysteries and verifying and enhancing family trees using a combination of DNA results analysis and traditional research methodologies. She also undertakes the creation and teaching of DNA courses, coaching, consultations, lecturing, webinars, podcasts, media consultancy and article, blog and book writing commissions. Additionally, she is known for her work on the WW1 Fromelles Genealogy Project, is a co-author of 'Tracing Your Ancestors Using DNA: A Guide For Family Historians' and is a regular speaker at major global genealogy events.

Emerging disruptors in Y-DNA genetic genealogy

Abstract

This presentation will review combined impacts of two emerging advances in Y-DNA genetic genealogy: long-read sequencing technologies (whether nanopore or HiFi/SMRT) and a reference genome covering the entire Y chromosome (i.e. T2T/PanGenome). The focus of the presentation will not be on these advances themselves but rather their likely impacts once they can both be affordably incorporated into the consumer DNA testing market.

Less-controversial predictions would include more reliable STR reporting and larger reliable coverage of existing regions than variable-read NGS sequencing provides, starting with the mutations already identified through remapping existing tests to the T2T reference. Other predictions include the regular identification of larger structural mutations and their applications to genetic genealogy, and the still-unproven potential for coverage of the q12 heterochromatic region to significantly accelerate the frequency of useful Y-DNA phylogenetic markers in male births. Another likely example whose timing is more uncertain is increased market adoption of affordable Whole Genome Testing with associated analytics and matching databases, though this may occur in Y-DNA before autosomal due to the differences in levels of complexity of data analytics.

Biography

J. David Vance is the creator of SAPP (Still Another Phylogeny Program) and has been a traditional genealogist for over 30 years. He worked for IBM first as a computer programmer and eventually as a services manager, and it was through IBM’s partnership with the National Genographic Project in 2005 that he submitted his first test kit and became interested in the growing field of genetic genealogy. Since then, he has tested with multiple companies and participates as a periodic contributor to the various L21 and L513-related forums.

Judith Auerbach – Theresienstadt Toddler: a case study in tracing recent unknown ancestry

Abstract

Judith Auerbach was born on 20 April 1942 in Vienna and transported to Theresienstadt when just 5 months old. Her mother and siblings had been transported to Auschwitz 2 months previously and perished almost immediately. Miraculously Judith survived and she was one of the 300 Windermere children flown to the UK in Summer 1945. Research in Vienna helped by the Wiener Library in London suggested Judith's mother’s husband Josef Auerbach was not Judith’s biological father. After seeing Jackie Young’s story on the UK TV show “DNA Family Secrets” Judith wondered if DNA could help her locate living family members and identity her biological father. Using traditional genealogical techniques along with DNA, by August 2023 after under 3 months research (including waiting 6 weeks for DNA results) a maternal 1st cousin in Israel and several maternal 2nd and 3rd cousins in the USA were located. It was also possible to identify Judith’s biological father and put her in touch with a Holocaust Survivor paternal 1st cousin in Florida who believed he was the only surviving member of his father’s family.

This presentation uses a case study to illustrate methods of tracing recent unknown ancestry and locating living relatives.

Biography

Michael Tobias is a Co-Founder and Board Member of Jewish Records Indexing - Poland (1995-), President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain (JGSGB; 2022-), Honorary Research Fellow-Genealogical Studies, University of Strathclyde (2020-) and former Vice President of programming for JewishGen Inc. (1995-2018). He was Database Matching Consultant for the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (2000-2005). Michael received the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Lifetime Achievement Award in Washington, D.C., in 2011. He was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to the Jewish community in the Queen's 2021 New Year's Honours List.

Beethoven’s family secret – Exploring legal versus biological kinship discrepancies in Western populations (1500-1900)

Abstract

Our recent genetic genealogical analysis on Ludwig van Beethoven’s hair locks revealed no Y-chromosomal match with his alleged distant relatives. Given the verified authenticity of the hair samples, this inconsistency pointed towards potential errors in the established genealogy or the possibility of an extra-pair paternity (EPP) event within the last seven generations. To investigate both possibilities, we utilised our methods in researching legal versus biological kinship discrepancies in Western populations.

To verify the reliability of established genealogies in Western Europe, we launched the ‘MamaMito’ project, a large-scale citizen science initiative in Flanders. This project successfully merged in-depth maternal pedigrees with mitochondrial genome data, leveraging the collaboration of thousands of enthusiastic genealogists. Mitochondrial genomes play a pivotal part in confirming the accuracy of assembled family lineages. Our results underscored the importance of supplemental archival documents, extending beyond the usual church records, especially during the Ancien Régime era (pre-1800). It appeared that even high-standard genealogies can harbour errors, resulting in discrepancies between biological and archival family trees. In Beethoven’s case, we dedicated extra effort in the archive to confirm the accuracy of his legal genealogy.

The confirmed genealogy suggests that the discrepancies in Beethoven’s lineage are likely due to EPP. Over the past decade, our extensive research has been focused on examining the prevalence and factors of EPP behaviour over five centuries in Western Europe, integrating patrilineal genealogies with Y-chromosome sequencing. The results indicated that historical EPP rates, generally low, were significantly influenced by socioeconomic and demographic factors, varying greatly depending on population density and the social class of the legal father.

Based on our analytical model, the EPP event in Beethoven’s genealogy most likely took place in the more recent generations, consistent with biographical information regarding his paternal grandparents’ nuclear family. Therefore, uncovering this family secret offered intriguing insights into Beethoven’s personal life and musical compositions.

Biography

Prof. Dr. Maarten H.D. Larmuseau is head of the ‘Laboratory of Human Genetic Genealogy’ within the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. He is also affiliated to the University of Antwerp, Belgium, for the courses Genealogy and Genetic Heritage.

My previous experience: I am already officially invited as guest speaker at >10 international conferences on forensics (Haploid Markers 2023), evolutionary biology (ESEB), evolutionary behaviour (EHBEA), genetic genealogy (Genealogy and the sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science), …, next to many talks on other academic conferences.

Genetic testing as genealogical proof for lineage societies and family organizations, and its wider genealogical applications

Abstract

DNA testing for genealogical purposes has permeated all aspects of the genealogical community since its debut in 2000. With the acceptance of DNA testing in lieu of paper records, lineages with little documentable proof now have the possibility of being accepted for admission into family-oriented organizations. Using DNA testing results to confirm ancestral lineages is not without controversy. Many organizations struggle with setting guidelines, determining what tests to accept, and how to document this information if they choose to accept DNA results. Acceptance of DNA as proof of a lineage ultimately would lead to creating a larger family tree of verified lineages for these organizations. However, DNA testing can also call into question long-established genealogies. This paper discusses how DNA testing can be used to verify relationships, with examples from organizations that currently accept DNA results to confirm an applicant’s submission. The experiences of these organisations, along with the implications of the Pringle Baronetcy case will be set in a wider context, referencing bodies such as the College of Arms in England and the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland. In addition, results concerning perceptions of the inclusion of DNA results for applications to the groups from a survey conducted in conjunction with my Ph.D. research into American Lineage Societies will be discussed.

Biography

Shannon Combs-Bennett is an award-winning author based in Virginia, USA. She lectures internationally on various genealogical topics from basic methodology to genetic genealogy. Shannon earned a BS in Biology with an emphasis in human genetics from Indiana University and co-authored “The DNA Guide for Adoptees.” Currently, Shannon is a doctoral student at the University of Strathclyde in History with Genealogical Studies.

TBC

Investigative genetic genealogy: considerations and implications for the genealogist

Abstract

The arrest in California in April 2018 of Joseph De Angelo as the suspected Golden State Killer brought the use of genetic genealogy to the world’s attention. Since then genetic genealogy has been used, mainly in the US, to generate investigative leads in hundreds of cold cases and some active investigations, helping to bring closure to victims and making society a safer place. However, the technique has proved controversial and has sparked a fierce debate about whether the end justifies the means with concerns raised about privacy, ethics, informed consent and proportionality. A lack of effective ethical and regulatory oversight means that the field is still very much seen as the Wild West. The history of forensic genetic genealogy will be reviewed along with the key findings from the academic studies looking at the attitudes of stakeholders and consumers. Because of the shared nature of our DNA and our family trees, investigative genetic genealogy has implications for everyone, regardless of whether or not they have taken a DNA test or opted in to share their results for law enforcement purposes. It is therefore important for genealogists to understand the implications of forensic genetic genealogy so that they can make informed decisions about sharing DNA results and family tree information.

Biography

Debbie is a well-known author and speaker and an internationally recognised expert on genetic genealogy. She is the DNA expert for Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine and is the author of two books: DNA and Social Networking and The Surnames Handbook. She is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London. She has co-written a number of peer-reviewed papers for academic journals, including six papers on the subject of investigative genetic genealogy.

Addressing the need for ethical standards and proof of proficiency in the field of IGG

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology and applications in Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) has created a dynamic operational environment. The value of IGG exploded in the world of law enforcement from successes such as the Golden State Killer. But it owes its initial proof of concept decades earlier to the invaluable work of Sir Alec Jeffreys in DNA fingerprinting and its application to immigrant/paternity cases and the Narborough conviction and exoneration outcomes. These pioneering events led to a proliferation of opportunities to apply DNA techniques to aid law enforcement in their investigations. But these benefits also introduced privacy, ethical, and competency questions to the community. Many eager practitioners volunteered to assist LE, but investigative agencies were stymied to identify qualified personnel. Questionable practices also emerged. As always, legislation and educational guidance lagged actual events. The need for standards, ethical codes and best practices has become critical as this technique is applied to more criminal and unidentified remains investigations. What is the status of training in IGG skills, standards, and ethics? Not only does the field lack a rubric for performance evaluation, but there are few sources to recommend a path forward for beginning practitioners. The Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board (IGGAB) was formed in 2023 to specifically address these issues and develop community-wide standards and accreditation requirements to ensure professional guidelines. The speaker will describe the challenges that prompted this initiative, its progress in providing guidance, and emerging endeavors. IGGAB developed core competencies based on job task analysis of skills required to practice IGG in a proficient and capable manner. As jurisdictions and agencies begin to regulate IGG activities, the demonstration of knowledge, experience, proficiency, and ethical behavior will be critical. This talk will provide an oversight of progress, developments, and lessons learned.

Biography

Andrew Hochreiter is a founding member of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board (IGGAB), promoting IGG standards, code of conduct, and accreditation. He is a graduate of UNH Forensic Genetic Genealogy Graduate Program, Chairman of East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, board member at mitoYDNA.org and Association of Professional Genealogists Forensic Genealogy SIG, and investigator for the DNA Doe Project. He is an adjunct college instructor and researcher of genetic genealogy in Maryland, experienced in curriculum development, credentialing, standards, and genetic genealogy tools and techniques. He leads the DNA Special Interest Group at the Washington DC Family Research Center.

Investigative Genetic Genealogy in Europe: a novel technique with novel challenges

Abstract

DNA has been used as powerful evidence in criminal justice for decades. To benefit from this source of evidence, law enforcement authorities maintain national forensic DNA databases in which they store DNA profiles extracted from people who somehow found themselves in criminal investigations. Due to the invasive nature of DNA retention on the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals concerned, national legislation in Europe provides specific laws to regulate DNA retention and national forensic DNA databases. In the last two decades, these laws have been scrutinized by the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, which eventually formulated the legal restraints attached to these practices in Europe. In recent years, some European law enforcement authorities have experimented or have been green-lighted to experiment with a novel, ground-breaking advancement in criminal investigations: investigative genetic genealogy. The novelty of this technique derives from the fact that law enforcement benefits from private databases rather than national forensic DNA databases in their investigations. However, this novel technique raises several ethical and legal challenges. For instance, could the consent provided by the genealogy database users be deemed valid in the European data protection framework? Does investigative genetic genealogy exacerbate structural biases and discrimination in criminal justice systems? Is there a valid legal basis for using this technique in the European data protection framework? Identifying and addressing these novel challenges is crucial in ensuring the legality and legitimacy of investigative genetic genealogy in Europe. While addressing these concerns, this talk will shed light on whether and how the European data protection framework might be used to address such challenges.

Biography

Taner Kuru is a PhD researcher at Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology and Society (TILT), focusing on the ethical and legal implications of investigative genetic genealogy. He holds an Advanced LL.M. degree in Law and Digital Technologies from Leiden University (cum laude distinction) as an awardee of the Jean Monnet Scholarship. In 2021, he received the European Data Protection Law Review’s “Young Scholar Award” for his article titled “Genetic Data: The Achilles’ Heel of the GDPR?” based on his master’s thesis. He also interned at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Institute (UNICRI) Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

Advanced DNA features on MyHeritage to understand your genealogy

Abstract

A DNA test can reveal valuable family history information and tell you more about your origins. The DNA Matching is just one of many services that enables you to connect with relatives you never knew about.

MyHeritage offers numerous advanced features to help you make the most of your Autosomal DNA results and integrate them into your family tree. In this session, Daniel will provide an overview of these features and show you how they can help you break through brick walls in your research.

The cM Explainer™ predicts how you might be related to a DNA Match, based on the amount of DNA you share with the match, and self-reported ages, if available.

The Theory of Family Relativity™ is a genealogical theory that suggests how you and your DNA Matches may be related, crafted by connecting billions of family tree profiles and historical records on MyHeritage.

AutoClusters organizes your MyHeritage DNA Matches into shared match clusters that likely descended from common ancestors. Each of the colored cells represents an intersection between two of your matches, meaning that both individuals match both you and each other.

These cells are grouped together physically and by color to create a powerful visual chart of your shared match clusters.

The One-to-many Chromosome Browser allows you to compare your DNA kit with up to seven DNA Matches at the same time, that you select. With the improved Chromosome Browser, you can explore which DNA segments you share with each of up to seven DNA Matches simultaneously.

Learn how these tools help millions of people around the world gather useful clues — such as suggested relationship paths, groups of matches likely descended from the same ancestor, and triangulated DNA segments — to help them understand how they and their DNA Matches are related.

Biography

Dedicated to Genealogy since 1986, Daniel was the teacher and the study guide editor of the family history project "Searching for My Roots" in Venezuela for 15 years. He was a board member of The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) for 10 years, now is involved in several crowdsource digitization and transcription projects, and holds a board-level position at The Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA). Since 2006 Daniel has been working at MyHeritage liaising with genealogy societies, bloggers, and media, as well as lecturing, and attending conferences around the world.

Corporate Careers for Genetic Genealogists

Abstract

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing is rapidly evolving as a product and a technology, and the role of the corporate genetic genealogist is transforming alongside. From identifying unknown parents and researching for television programmes, to marketing, PR, education, and academia, the career of the corporate genetic genealogist is diverse and exciting. We will discuss the range of opportunities available to DNA specialists at major DTC genetic testing companies, and the interesting and complex challenges that arise when presenting cutting-edge science to a mainstream audience.

TV programmes like DNA Journey, DNA Family Secrets, Long Lost Family, and Stranger in My Family show the potential of genetic genealogy to connect people with their ancestors and their identity. Behind the scenes, there can be tension between finding engaging stories and accurately representing the science.

As the technology improves, we see a greater need for educated genetic genealogists in marketing and PR to prevent misinformation and misunderstanding of the science and the product. We need to provide people with comprehensive information about the scope and applications of consumer DNA testing without alienating those who are uninterested in technical details. When appearing as a spokesperson on television or radio, all this must be achieved in under two minutes.

Genetic genealogy is also developing as an academic field, and a corporate career must be balanced with continuous academic development if we want to remain at the cutting-edge of this fascinating specialism.

This presentation will be of interest to anyone considering a career in genetic genealogy or people curious about the experience of working in the largest direct-to-consumer genetic testing company in the world.

Biography

Laura House is a spokesperson for AncestryDNA and is the primary genetic genealogist on AncestryProGenealogist’s UK team. She has an MSc. degree in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde. Her specialisms are genetic genealogy and unknown parentage, and she has written articles and delivered talks on DNA testing for genealogy. She has appeared on BBC Three’s Stranger in My Family (2023), SBS’s Every Family Has a Secret, and ITV’s The Queen and Her Cousins with Alexander Armstrong (2021). She has worked on Who Do You Think You Are?, DNA Journey, and Coronation Street’s DNA Secrets, and speaks about her work on television and radio.

Previous conferences and events include: the RQG Conference, RootsTech, Family Tree Live, the International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences, Really Useful Show, The Future of Genealogy: Young Genealogists at the Helm (representing Ancestry), AmaWaterways’s Heritage on the River (representing Ancestry), and DNA Day at Ancestry.