"Genetic Genealogy: Autosomal DNA Course" is now available!
One of the reasons I haven't blogged as much this past year is that I have been developing an online course on using autosomal DNA (atDNA) for genetic genealogy. The National Genealogical Society (NGS) just announced availability of the course. See
http://upfront.ngsgenealogy.org/2015/12/ngs-launches-its-newest-course-genetic.html for more information.
The NGS courses are structured with short modules. Each module concludes with a self-test to confirm understanding before moving to the next module. Courses include a glossary and a reading list where additional information can be found. After registering for a course, you work at your own pace and on your own time schedule.
The "Autosomal DNA Course" is aimed at beginner to intermediate level researchers. My own research cases are used to illustrate examples, although some names are changed and blurred for privacy purposes. The first module begins with a brief review of DNA basics including inheritance patterns for DNA. The primary focus is atDNA with some information on X-DNA.
Mitochondrial DNA, Y-DNA, and genetic basics are covered in an earlier course titled "
Continuing Genealogical Studies: Genetic Genealogy, the Basics" authored by Dr. Thomas H. Shawker.
The "Autosomal DNA Course" briefly discusses some of the testing companies and tools, but the focus is on concepts for analysis that can be applied no matter which testing company is used and which tool is used to do the analysis.
Credit: Family Finder Test Array Chip by Illumina, image by Debbie Parker Wayne, Family Tree DNA Lab Tour, 16 November 2015
I hope this course helps genealogists who are ready to take the next step toward being a genetic genealogist. My goal in teaching and writing about genetic genealogy has always been to teach only as much of the biology as is needed to use genetics for genealogical research. I try to cover the important concepts we need to know in a way that those of us who are not biologists can understand. I don't have anything against learning more about biology. As a matter of fact, I encourage genealogists who start using DNA to continue studying biological concepts. The more we understand biology and inheritance of DNA, the more we understand all of the implications when forming genealogical conclusions based on DNA. But, no one should be scared away from genetic genealogy thinking you need a biology degree before you start.
Genetic genealogy is a complex subject. For many of us, we need to read or hear something more than once before it sinks in. Reviewing the course material and studying the articles and books in the reading list will cement your understanding of the concepts and allow you to move to more advanced topics with a strong foundation.
Don't forget to check out the other Continuing Genealogical Studies and American Genealogical Studies courses available at
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/educational_courses.
To cite this blog post:
Debbie Parker Wayne, "NGS Announces New Course -- Genetic Genealogy: Autosomal DNA Course,"
Deb's Delvings Blog, posted 9 December 2015 (
http://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/ : accessed [date]).
© 2015, Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL, All Rights Reserved
