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
September 19, 2026 – HYBRID
Is Your Surname Really Your Paternal Bloodline?: NPEs, Family Clades, and Lessons from New Mexico Genealogy presented by Dr. A. Lee Martinez
Dr. Martinez will present virtually on Zoom
Presentation will be recorded; available on website indefinitely
Virtual attendees – Registration available later
What happens when decades of careful genealogical research leads to a paternal line that Y-DNA shows is biologically incorrect? Using New Mexico families as examples, this presentation explores non-paternity events hidden within baptismal and other historical records. Attendees will learn how Y-DNA family clades can test surname assumptions, validate paternal lines, and break through stubborn genealogical “adobe walls.”
Dr. Martinez developed an interest in genealogy while growing up in Española, New Mexico, where his parents served as local family history librarians. After years of traditional research and encountering his share of genealogical “adobe walls,” he discovered the power of genetic genealogy. Today, Lee uses Y-DNA to investigate paternal lines, test surname assumptions, and explore ancestral origins and migration histories. His research draws primarily on New Mexico families, but the lessons apply to anyone seeking to understand what happens when DNA and the paper trail disagree. Lee resides in Queen Creek, Arizona, and serves as Director of Quality for Connections Health Solutions and an Adjunct Professor for Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions.
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