The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy

Geoff Rasmussen

05 Jan 2017

From everything I've heard about it, Blaine Bettinger's new book, The Family Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, is THE #1 GO-TO BOOK for learning about genetic genealogy.

As with any highly-recommended product, I personally try to arrange with the publisher to be able to sell it from our online store at a great price, and now I've done just that with this book. Combined with our great price, yesterday's webinar coupon code (dna17) and my webinar membership discount (another 5% off), what retails for $29.99 I just purchased it for $18.01. Maybe that will help make up for the ATV I bought yesterday (not a toy, but a tool…have to plow this snow somehow…).

Here's the details:

Discover the answers to your family history mysteries using the most-cutting edge tool available. This plain-English guide is a one-stop resource for how to use DNA testing for genealogy. Inside, you'll find guidance on what DNA tests are available, plus the methodologies and pros and cons of the three major testing companies and advice on choosing the right test to answer your specific genealogy questions. And once you've taken a DNA test, this guide will demystify the often-overwhelming subject and explain how to interpret DNA test results, including how to understand ethnicity estimates and haplogroup designations, navigate suggested cousin matches, and use third-party tools like GEDmatch to further analyze your data. To give you a holistic view of genetic testing for ancestry, the book also discusses the ethics and future of genetic genealogy, as well as how adoptees and others who know little about their ancestry can especially benefit from DNA testing.

The book features:

Colorful diagrams and expert definitions that explain key DNA terms and concepts such as haplogroups and DNA inheritance patterns
Detailed guides to each of the major kinds of DNA tests and which tests can solve which family mysteries, with case studies showing how each can be useful
Information about third-party tools you can use to more thoroughly analyze your test results once you've received them
Test comparison guides and research forms to help you select the most appropriate DNA test and organize your results and research once you've been tested

Whether you've just heard of DNA testing or you've tested at all three major companies, this guide will give you the tools you need to unpuzzle your DNA and discover what it can tell you about your family tree.

Paperback: 240 pages, 9" x 7"

Foundations in DNA Webinar Course

If learning from a webinar course is more your style, Blaine Bettinger's 5-class series may be for you. He starts you out at the very beginnings and walks you through all of the basics of the Y, mitochondrial, and autosomal DNA tests. When you've completed the series, you'll be able to talk the genetic talk.

Click here for the webinar series.