The Genetic Genealogy Working Group consists of invited individuals active in the field of genetic genealogy, who can provide insights into research initiatives and develop ways in which significant advances can be made in the field.

The principal roles of the Group are as follows –

1. To facilitate knowledge exchange between Group members on the latest and upcoming developments in fields of particular relevance to genetic genealogy, with the intention that this can then be disseminated more widely to interested organisations and individuals. These fields include ancient DNA, autosomal DNA, Y-DNA, mtDNA, FIGG, population genetics and genetics.
   
   
2. To promote the most effective implementation of the latest technologies for the benefit of genetic genealogy.
   
   
3. To promote best practice in the analysis of ancient DNA for the benefit of all disciplines.
   
   
4. To encourage research initiatives in the field.

Previous activity

Email to National Museums Scotland on methods of sequencing ancient DNA.

Views of the Working group on future DNA testing strategies relating to archaeological human remains.

Current activities

Y-DNA Long-read Sequencing Project, led by the Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies (SIGS) in association with The Jackson Laboratory.

Project summary

The aim of the Y-DNA Long-read Sequencing Project is to assess to what extent additional significant genetic markers can be identified in the human Y chromosome using the latest sequencing technologies in comparison with improved reference sequences. This could potentially help to more closely define the structure of Y- chromosome genetic trees, such as Family Tree DNA’s Y-DNA haplotree, and facilitate the dating of the formation of these markers, possibly even to each generation.

Joint paper – Ancient DNA meets genetic genealogy

Group members

Tom Booth - Senior Laboratory Research Scientist, The Francis Crick Institute

John Cleary - Associate Professor, Linguistics, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh.

Maurice Gleeson - Honorary Research Fellow, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies, Education Ambassador for the International Society of Genetic Genealogy

Graham S Holton – Teaching Fellow and MSc Lead Tutor, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies

Debbie Kennett - genetic genealogist with an interest in surnames, consumer genetics and forensic genetics. Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London.

Maarten Larmuseau - head of the Laboratory of Human Genetic Genealogy, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. Affiliated to the University of Antwerp, Belgium, for the courses Genealogy and Genetic Heritage

Alasdair F Macdonald - Teaching Fellow and Diploma Lead Tutor, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies 

Iain McDonald - astrophysicist, Research fellow at University of Manchester, expert in the statistical analysis of Y-DNA tests

Philip Stead - PhD student with a genetic genealogy focus, University of Strathclyde

Dave Vance - Senior Vice President and General Manager, Family Tree DNA