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
November 21, 2026 – HYBRID
Unveiling the Unseen: FIGG Changes Uncertainty into Understanding presented by Britta Brewer
Brita Brewer will present remotely
Presentation will be recorded; available on website for 6 months
Virtual attendees – Register HERE
Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) stands as a powerful beacon of clarity, offering profound hope where traditional investigative methods have reached their limits. This presentation explores how combining DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research can solve decades-old mysteries, restore names to the nameless, and bring long-awaited resolution to families. Through compelling real-world case studies, attendees will examine the practical workflows, ethical considerations, and investigative strategies used to navigate complex genetic networks. Discover how turning raw genetic data into actionable evidence moves us from uncertainty to understanding, demonstrating FIGG’s transformative impact on healing and justice.
Britta Brewer is an Accredited Forensic Genetic Genealogist, nonprofit founder, and experienced small business leader with over 25 years of organizational, strategic, and operational expertise. She currently serves as the Executive Director of GenGenies, where she leads an expert team conducting Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) responsibly and ethically in partnership with investigating agencies and forensic laboratories. With six years of experience as a professional investigative genetic genealogist and two years specializing in FIGG, she has helped grow the nonprofit firm from an organization focused on bringing answers to families to one that has sent in leads for two victims of serial killers this year.
January 16, 2027 – 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
- October: All About Segments presented by Kathleen Fernandes, Ph.D
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