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Genealogy Guide: DNA & Genealogy

Recommended Reading

Bettinger, Blaine. The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy (Cincinnati, OH: Family Tree Books, 2016). Genealogy Institute CS21 .B48 2016

Copeland, Libby. The lost family: how DNA testing is upending who we are (NY: Abrams Press, 2020). Available at the New York Public Library.

Entine, Jon. Abraham's children: race, identity, and the DNA of the chosen people (NY: Grand Central Publishing, 2007). AJHS DS143 .E58 2007

Goldstein, David B. Jacob's Legacy: a genetic view of Jewish history (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2008). Genealogy Institute GN547 .G65 2008

Ostrer, Harry. Legacy: a genetic history of the Jewish people (NY: Oxford University Press, 2012). Genealogy Institute GN547 .O88 2012

Shapiro, Dani. Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love (NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2019). Available at the New York Public Library.

Blogs/Videos

International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki: The ISOGG wiki has an encyclopedia, guide to choosing appropriate tests and testing companies, links to DNA projects, and many other resources. 

Kitty Cooper's blog: Kitty Cooper's blog has advice for beginning, intermediate, and advanced genetic genealogists, with guidance specific to each testing company.

DNAeXplained: This blog is run by Roberta Estes, a professional scientist and genealogist. The blog has information about the different types of tests available and guidance for those looking for unknown family.

Family History Fanatics videos: Andy and Devon Noel Lee make YouTube videos on DNA testing as well as traditional documentary genealogy.

GeneaVlogger videos: Genetic genealogist Jarrett Ross creates YouTube videos on genetic genealogy and genealogy more broadly, with an emphasis on Jewish genealogy.

Discussion Forums

Many people find that discussing their genetic genealogy questions and discoveries with others brings clarity and invites further discovery. Below are some popular genetic genealogy discussion groups.

JewishGen Discussion Group (first, register at https://groups.jewishgen.org/register and subscribe to the mailing list; add #dna to your DNA-related posts)

Facebook groups (must have an account first, then request to join the group)

DNA Projects

DNA projects allow you to go beyond your match list by connecting you with other testers who have similar questions or ancestries. Joining one of these projects can deepen your understanding of your results and lead to new discoveries. 

FamilyTreeDNA has several DNA projects. Some are specific to a certain surname, while others are specific to a haplogroup, test type, or geographic region. If you did not test with FamilyTreeDNA, you can still participate in these projects by uploading your results into FamilyTreeDNA. FamilyTreeDNA has a specific group for Jewish DNA that is managed by Avotaynu. Learn more here.

More Genealogy Guides from the Center for Jewish History