After watching Diahan's presentation at RootsTech I purchased the ebook version which came as a .pdf - I couldn't wait for a posted one. The book appealed to one of my sloppiest habits as a genealogist where bolting down rabbit holes was the right thing to do. It is organized to encourage following links to the thing that you are trying to achieve rather than a linear approach where you learn one bit which prepares you for the next bit. This would be great for a complete beginner but not for the impatient. In my case I have not even read the whole book yet as by following the links I found what I needed to know to achieve finding my missing ancestor via DNA matching. The book teaches you how but does not do the work for you and there is plenty of it which Diahan does not try to hide. A practical book which leads you on the correct path to a solution if you cooperate and do what is asked. For me I could not ask for more.

Graeme Jury - New Zealand

This quick reference guide packed ALOT of information into 4 pages! I read several times and will continue to use it as a guide. It was an excellent idea to include the "Ethics of DNA Testing". Thank you!

Finding An Ancestor Using Your DNA Quick Reference Guide

Well worth while, see for yourself 🙂

YDNA Quick Reference Guide

Ordered while watching rootstech but never received.

I am enjoying the book very much, but I have found an inconsistency that is confusing me.

Goal – Find the surname of my 3X great grandmother, Mary Unknown who was married to Anthony Kennedy (1781-1864).

Finding Best Known Match – p. 45 of the ebook states, “Your Best Known Match is someone whose MRCAS is the generation younger than the ancestor you are looking to find: So if your missing ancestors are your:
3Xgreat – 3rd cousins."

Inconsistency – p. 215
“If you are looking for your 3X great grandparent, other descendants of that unknown ancestor and their spouse will be your 4th cousins, right? (Trust me, that’s how it works). So the matches that will best help you find your ancestor will be 4th cousins.”

QUESTION: The book seems to be saying the BKN is a 3rd cousin on p. 45 but a 4th cousin on p. 215. Is my BKM a 3rd cousin as stated on p. 45 or a 4th cousin as stated on p. 215? Or, have I misunderstood? Do I run shared matches on my 3rd cousin or my 4th cousin?

Thanks!

This guide is a great reference tool. It clearly explains how to use the various sections of MyHeritage DNA and provides a great refresher for any items or details that I've forgotten about or how to use.

good read easy to understand. will be 1 of my go too books for genealogy.must have book for everyone

Easy to understand
Well thought out
Informative

Family Tree DNA (Family Finder) Quick Reference Guide

Learn a lot. Nice manual to have handy when searching dna questions.

Love Diahan’s courses!!

My first response is that this work shop far exceeded my expectations! Money well spent! The Lessons, how they were presented, the additional aids, the one on one session(s, the discussion boards, and zoom buddies, and much more were all so essential and really made for an incredible learning experience. I have taken several of Diahan's courses and I have just signed up for the Endogamy Course!! What a wonderful way to catapult genealogy into a new dimension!!

I was hesitant for years to enter the genealogy DNA world. Now I have a completely positive view of the DNA experience after completing several classes presented by Diahan Southard and her colleagues. Diahan presents the topics in a clear, understandable and interesting way and encourages all to believe that they can become proficient in DNA research. In particular, the DNA Skills Workshop provided a highly user-friendly and fruitful approach to investigating DNA matches! I was able to develop one new ancestral line and sort through another. I would highly recommend the YourDNAGuide program to anyone curious about exploring their DNA connections.