This is the post for "DNA Standards - Part 5."
Prior bullets are discussed in other parts of this series:
- test the right descendants with the right test(s) at the right company or companies to obtain the information needed to answer the research question (Standard 51) (For "DNA Standards - Part 2" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-2.html.)
- select matches and/or target-test others with the right test (Standard 51) (For "DNA Standards - Part 2" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-2.html.)
- analyze the DNA results accurately and in-depth (Standard 52) (For "DNA Standards - Part 3" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-3.html.)
- integrate the thoroughly researched and analyzed DNA and documentary evidence; logically sequence and clearly illustrate the DNA analysis and the documentary analysis in a written conclusion; accurately and completely cite all sources (Standards 1–8, 55, 56, 65, 74) (For "DNA Standards - Part 3" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-3.html.)
- ensure enough people have tested to support the conclusion (Standard 53) (For "DNA Standards - Part 4" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-4.html.)
In "DNA Standards - Part 5" I further discuss the sixth bullet. The main bullet indicates considerations when using DNA to help answer a research question; sub-items explain what is needed to accomplish the tasks defined in the main bullet:
- support every parent-child link in the line from all test takers to the hypothesized ancestors with documentary evidence (Standard 2)
- this applies to all parent-child links in all lines in our study group (even the parent-child links we see in someone else's online tree) and not only the line from the main/focus test taker back to the hypothesized common ancestor
- this evidence may be presented in the narrative; the reader will likely be able to follow more easily if the evidence is summarized below a descendant chart
- my preferred method is to use note references as seen in the image below (a, b, and so on); locating the footnote letter or number in the chart and in the list of citations is much easier for me than reading "For parentage of person XYZ see [list of documents]" then finding person XYZ in a chart; the reference numbers are much easier to locate than names, especially when a writer does not use the same exact name in the chart and the text
- some publication venues may only need one or two sources to support each parent-child link; more sources may be needed to illustrate thorough research meeting the GPS
- if no documentary evidence for a link can be found, explain what records were searched, search criteria used, any theory as to why no documents support this link, and why this link may be true in the face of no supporting documentary evidence
- some parent-child links might ultimately be based on DNA evidence, but a thorough search for the documentary evidence should be demonstrated
- for a large study group we may be able to use genetic networks to support some of the links so that we still have time to research our own family tree and extend it (as opposed to spending all of our time researching the trees of our DNA matches); some time researching the trees or adequately documenting the trees of others will be necessary, but we all need to manage our time to achieve our own goals most efficiently
- this applies to all parent-child links in all lines in our study group (even the parent-child links we see in someone else's online tree) and not only the line from the main/focus test taker back to the hypothesized common ancestor
Additional bullets will be discussed in other parts of this series:
- identify familial relationships (where appropriate), present the conclusion as a genetic link only if the DNA supports that conclusion, explain any insufficient research (Standards 50, 56, 65, 74) (For "DNA Standards - Part 6" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-6.html.)
- make the DNA data available for verification, as much as possible within the limits of test taker permissions (Standard 54) (For "DNA Standards - Part 7" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-7.html.)
- publish or share only as a living test taker’s permission allows (Standard 57) (For "DNA Standards - Part 8" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-8.html.)
BCG, Genealogy Standards, 2nd ed. (Nashville: Ancestry, 2019)
GETTING OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON STANDARDS FROM BCG
Only BCG provides official answers on what it expects to see in application portfolios. No one, not even members of the BCG Board of Trustees or associates helping at exhibit hall booths, speak officially for BCG. For specifics on what BCG expects to see in portfolios, please use BCG’s website, blog, newsletter, and other means of communication:
- BCG website at https://bcgcertification.org/ has a “Contact BCG” link
- BCG SpringBoard blog at https://bcgcertification.org/springboard/
- BCG OnBoard Newsletter of the Board for Certification of Genealogists has many articles available online at https://bcgcertification.org/learning/skills/onboard/ or subscribe to receive current issues as published
- BCG news announcement “Standards for DNA Evidence” dated 28 October 2018 at https://bcgcertification.org/standards-for-dna-evidence/
All statements made in this blog are the opinion of the post author. This blog is not sponsored by any entity other than Debbie Parker Wayne nor is it supported through free or reduced price access to items discussed unless so indicated in the blog post. Hot links to other sites are provided as a courtesy to the reader and are not an endorsement of the other entities except as clearly stated in the narrative.
To cite this blog post:
Debbie Parker Wayne, "DNA Standards - Part 5," Deb's Delvings, 8 March 2019 (http://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/ : accessed [date]).
© 2019, Debbie Parker Wayne, Certified Genealogist®, All Rights Reserved
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