The DNA Interest Group is a special interest group of NSDCGS designed to educate and inform people about the use of DNA testing for genealogical purposes through lectures on DNA followed by small group breakout discussions and individualized help with DNA results. Open to all levels of computer/genealogy experience.
- 3rd Saturday of the month (except December)
- In-person: Georgina Cole Library Community Room
- Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
- Virtual via Zoom – Registration link below
- Presentation: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Most meetings will be hybrid (in-person and virtual)
- Presentation recordings are available to current NSDCGS members
Upcoming Speakers and Topics
October 17, 2026 – HYBRID
All About Segments presented by Kathleen Fernandes, Ph.D
Kathleen Fernandes will present in-person
Presentation will be recorded; available on website until October 2027
Virtual attendees – registration will be available later
This presentation focuses on DNA segments and why they are important in genetic genealogy. Topics covered include displaying segment data, dealing with shared segments and shared ancestors, and understanding concepts such as triangulation, imputation, pile-up regions, and chromosome mapping, and the impact of endogamy.
Kathleen Fernandes earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Stanford University and worked as a systems analyst designing military IT systems for the Department of Defense. Since retiring, she has been actively researching her Portuguese ancestry and became interested in genetic genealogy as a way to break through the brick walls she encountered. She is particularly interested in tools and techniques for analyzing DNA data in endogamous populations. She has spoken at conferences sponsored by the Institute for Genetic Genealogy and is a frequent presenter on DNA topics to local genealogy groups in the southern California area.
November 21, 2026 – HYBRID
Past Topics
2026
- January: Understanding Your DNA Health Reports presented by Kelli Bergheimer
- February: Who, What, Where, How and Why: Using Y-DNA presented by Ron Velarde
- March: Shared DNA at a glance: the new DNA matrix tool presented by Jonny Perl
- April: 160-Year-Old Mystery Solved – The Parents of Mary & Sam Revealed Using Banyan DNA presented by John Motzi
- May: Comparing DNA Ethnicity Estimates presented by Richard Hill
- June: My DNA Brought me to the Forest, but Where are all the Trees? presented by Sara Cochran
- July: A Systematic Approach to Validating Ancestry DNA Thrulines: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly presented by Diana Elder
- August: Using Third Party Tools to Help Analyse DNA Matches presented by Mia Bennet
2025
- January: Building Genetic Networks presented by Kathleen Fernandes
- February: IGG: A DNA Tool Solving the Unsolvable presented by Britta Brewer
- March: Privacy, DNA, and Genealogy: Handling the Double-Edged Sword presented by Thomas MacEntee
- April: CANCELED
- May: Ancestry Dots, ThruLines and an Organized Plan presented by Kelli Bergheimer
- June: 160-Year-Old Mystery Solved: Simultaneous Probability Model Reveals the Parents of Mary and Sam presented by John Motzi
- July: Pedigree Triangulation: A Key Methodology for Genetic Genealogy presented by Diana Elder
- August: Using DNA Test Results in Genealogical Research: A How-To Guide presented by Kathleen Fernandes, Ph.D
- September: DNA Doesn’t Lie, But Should We? Ethics and 21st Century Genealogy presented by Judy Russell
- October: DNA Matching Technology on MyHeritage: A New Frontier in Genealogy presented by Daniel Horowitz
- November: FamilyTreeDNA + WikiTree: The Power of Collaboration for Your DNA Matches presented by Katy Rowe-Schurwanz
2024
- January: DNA Misconceptions presented by Kelli Bergheimer
- February: What is ISOGG? & How to Use Its WIKI! presented by Kitty Cooper
- March: Unlocking the Power of DNA Projects for Your Research presented by Rachel Unkefer
- April: What’s in a Picture: Visualizing DNA and Family Relationships presented by Kathleen Fernandes
- May: Preparing for 3rd Party DNA Tools presented by Sara Cochran
- June: Scapple for Genetic Genealogy – The Simple Tool that Packs a Punch presented by Michelle Trostler
- July: DIG Open Forum Meeting
- August: Adoption Meets DNA presented by Beth Swartz
- September: DIG Open Forum Meeting With Zoom
- October: DNA Matchmaking Made Easy on MyHeritage presented by Shannon Combs-Bennett, QG, MSc, FSAScot
- November: Maximize Your Maternal Research with the New Mitotree and Mito Discover presented by Katy Rowe-Schurwanz