Ancestry DNA – The Single Leaf

It’s a new season for Relative Race! The show premieres tonight, Sunday, September 16th at 7pm MT on BYUtv. Four new teams, new challenges, and new family connections will be discovered as teams enter a 10-day race for a $50,000 winner-takes-all prize.

As I have watched the show evolve through the seasons, I’ve considered the difference between the genealogical family tree and the genetic family tree. Relative Race addresses the latter. Your genealogy family tree encompasses all of your biological, legal, and/or adopted lineages. Your genetic family tree is a subset of your genealogical family tree. Not every cousin can be identified through genetic genealogy. After about 4-5 generations, a person may not receive a DNA inheritance from those back in time. This, of course, leads to a loss in connecting with those descendants through DNA testing results. Relative Race focuses on the most recent generations so autosomal DNA (atDNA) should catch them all. The paper trail, traditional genealogy, ultimately determines the actual relationship among the possibilities.

Relative Race uses AncestryDNA to identify family members found throughout the race. Unlike Season 1, genealogists are retained to verify the relationships discovered through DNA results by pursuing the paper trail.

As in the past, this season consists of 4 teams. The names have changed, but the colors remain the same:

Team Red consists of Mike Brown and Austen Williams, a father/daughter team whose goal is to find out more about Mike’s biological father for Austen’s children. In other words, one of the purposes of this journey is to connect Mike’s grandchildren to a paternal great grandfather. In this case, Mike’s the autosomal DNA test results will contain more of the information needed for Team Red to find that great grandfather they seek.
Team Green consists of Paris and Preshious Anderson, a married couple with 2 children ages 7 and 3 years. Their goal is to find the biological parents of Preshious, and any unknown relatives of Paris to make connections and win the $50,000 prize. Obviously, Preshious’ atDNA results will be key to finding her biological parents and Paris’ atDNA results will be crucial to finding any unknown genetic relatives on his side of the family. Depending on the disclosure agreement that may list known relatives, Team Green will be taking a journey of a lifetime! I don’t want to downplay the cash prize, but the legacy they discover for their children will be priceless.
Team Blue consists of Josh and Tiffany Lewis, a married couple of 4 years, who is on a quest to find Josh’s biological father with the focus on winning the $50,000. (They say that they can return to visit the newly discovered family after receiving the prize money.) Since each person receives approximately 50% of their DNA from their father, this is not necessarily a problem with a direct match. However, familial searching can be used to narrow down possible candidates. This team’s goal relies totally on the results of Josh’s DNA test results and the ability to master the challenges.
Team Black consists of Jerica and Joe Henline, siblings from Ohio, who are in this race for the fun of it! What did they get themselves into? Interestingly, the genetic family tree expands the possibilities of connecting with more cousins because Jerica and Joe have received a different DNA inheritance from each of their parents.

DNA is a valuable, even indispensable, type of evidence in discovering one’s family tree. But, on the eve of the premiere of season 4 of Relative Race, I like to remind myself that DNA inheritance is not the whole story, just a part of the amazing journey called LIFE!

The Final Day of the 48th Annual BYU Conference on Family History and Genealogy

The keynote addresses are finished, many vendors are gone and this is the final day of the BYU Conference on Family History and Genealogy being held in Provo, Utah.

Initial registration offered Ward Family History Consultants one day of training at no cost. For those who have pre-registered, today is the day! During the first session, Devin Ashby will present Taking Names to the Temple as a Family, Ward, or Stake. Next, Lisa Ratzlaff will teach consultants how to virtually assist every patron. Merrill White is a popular speaker who will discuss FamilySearch. Other topics include working with individuals and relationships in the FamilySearch Family Tree and getting youth involved in family history. All sessions will be held in Room 2258 and anyone who is registered for the conference may attend.

In addition to the ward family history consultant training, FamilySearch will have its own track. Jim Ericson will give attendees “straight talk about the state of indexing” and Courtney Connolly will teach “6 steps to host a successful indexing event.” As genealogists, where would we be without indexing?

Instruction in British Isles and United States research will continue as well as an LDS ancestral research track. There are three other tracks offered today: Methodology, Technology/Tool, and Genealogy and the Law. There really is something for everyone interested in family history here at the conference :-)

At this time I would like to thank the vendors stationed in Room 2260 who provided us with more than a glimpse of what they have to offer to those within the genealogy community at any level of expertise, from beginner to professional.

THANK YOU!

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