It’s that time of the year again when we welcome the next year.
2021 was markedly different than anything that came before. (Is that ever an understatement!)
Maybe you had more time for genealogy and spent time researching!
So, what did we read in 2021? Which of my blog articles were the most popular?
In reverse order, beginning with number 10, we have:
This timeless article published in 2015 explains how to calculate the amount of any specific heritage you carry based on your ancestors.
Just something fun that’s like your regular pedigree chart, except color coded locations instead of ancestors. Here’s mine
The Autosegment Triangulation Cluster Tool is a brand new tool introduced in October 2021. Created by Genetic Affairs for GEDmatch, this tool combines autoclusters and triangulation.
Many people don’t realize that we actually don’t inherit exactly 25% of our DNA from each grandparent, nor why.
This enlightening article co-authored with statistician Philip Gammon explains how this works, and why it affects all of your matches.
Who doesn’t love learning about ancient DNA and the messages it conveys. Does your Y or mitochondrial DNA match any of these burials? Take a look. You might be surprised.
How can you tell if you are full or half siblings with another person? You might think this is a really straightforward question with an easy answer, but it isn’t. And trust me, if you EVER find yourself in a position of needing to know, you really need to know urgently.
Using simple match, it’s easy to figure how much of your ancestor’s DNA you “should” have, but that’s now how inheritance actually works. This article explains why and shows different inheritance scenarios.
That 28 day timer has expired, but the article can still be useful in terms of educating yourself. This should also be read in conjunction with Ancestry Retreats, by Judy Russell.
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone say that their ethnicity percentages were “wrong,” I’d be a rich woman, living in a villa in sun-drenched Tuscany😊
This extremely popular article has either been first or second every year since it was published. Ethnicity is both exciting and perplexing.
As genealogists, the first thing we need to do is to calculate what, according to our genealogy, we would expect those percentages to be. Of course, we also need to factor in the fact that we don’t inherit exactly the same amount of DNA from each grandparent. I explain how I calculated my “expected” percentages of ethnicity based on my known tree. That’s the best place to start.
Please note that I am no longer updating the vendor comparison charts in the article. Some vendors no longer release updates to the entire database at the same time, and some “tweak” results periodically without making an announcement. You’ll need to compare your own results at the different vendors at the same point in time to avoid comparing apples and oranges.
The #1 Article for 2021 is…
This article has either been first (7 times) or second (twice) for 9 years running. Now you know why I chose this topic for my new book, DNA for Native American Genealogy.
If you’re searching for your Native American ancestry, I’ve provided step-by-step instructions, both with and without some percentage of Native showing in your autosomal DNA percentages.
Make 2022 a Great Year!
Here’s wishing you the best in 2022. I hope your brick walls cave. What are you doing to help that along? Do you have a strategy in mind?
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Thank you so much.
DNA Purchases and Free Uploads
- FamilyTreeDNA – Y, mitochondrial, and autosomal DNA testing
- MyHeritage DNA – Autosomal DNA test
- MyHeritage FREE DNA file upload – Upload your DNA file from other vendors free
- AncestryDNA – Autosomal DNA test
- 23andMe Ancestry – Autosomal DNA only, no Health
- 23andMe Ancestry Plus Health
Genealogy Products and Services
- MyHeritage FREE Tree Builder – Genealogy software for your computer
- MyHeritage Subscription with Free Trial
- Legacy Family Tree Webinars – Genealogy and DNA classes, subscription-based, some free
- Legacy Family Tree Software – Genealogy software for your computer
- Charting Companion – Charts and Reports to use with your genealogy software or FamilySearch
- RootsMagic Software – Genealogy software for your computer
- Newspapers.com – Search newspapers for your ancestors
- NewspaperArchive– Search different newspapers for your ancestors
My Book
- DNA for Native American Genealogy – by Roberta Estes
- DNA for Native American Genealogy – for those ordering outside the US
Genealogy Books
- Genealogical.com – Lots of wonderful genealogy research books
Genealogy Research
- Legacy Tree Genealogists – Professional genealogy research
By far, the book DNA for Native American Genealogy – and several of your Blogs regarding Native Genealogy is fast trending at this house. I won’t allow anyone ‘borrowing’ My copy of your new book – But find my company dropping by more often, so, it’s an added bonus to us here in the Lock Down State of Oregon. It is such a fun book to page through and read. Thank You, Roberta!
Thank you.
I gifted a 79.00 membership to Ancestry.com.for a woman who thinks we may be close kin. To my surprise the membership does not include a dna kit. So I wasted 79.,as they refused to let me use the 79. toward aDna kit. Be careful with Ancestry their offers are very carefully crafted.Who would anticipate a membership that don’t include a Dna kit and what is the benefit,none that I can see,other than revenue for Ancestry. I’m 81 yrs. guess its time for me to get off the internet.
You may be able to cancel the membership. You only need to order a DNA kit.
My sincerest thanks for your continuing eclectic and meaningful articles. I’m sure 2022 will be as stimulating and interesting. One of the many highlights for me was the German series.
I can’t wait to get back to my German ancestors. Thank you.
Hi, my user name on ancestry.com is wejohn121. What is your username on Ancestry.com? I read your article on Phoebe. I have Zophers in my tree. I would love to see if we have a DNA match. I have read articles from Stevie and talked to her but I’m still trying to find out more about the Zophers.
It’s Robertaestes13 and I’m on all of the other sites too.