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Building Your Family Tree: How to Use DNA Testing as a Tool

When it comes to building a comprehensive family tree, genealogists have traditionally relied on paper trail documentation and interviews with living relatives. However, in recent years, DNA testing has emerged as a valuable tool for tracing one's ancestry and discovering long-lost branches of the family tree.

In 2019, the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida issued a warrant allowing a detective to override user privacy settings and search the GEDmatch database. This move highlighted the potential for law enforcement to use DNA testing in criminal investigations. Additionally, FamilyTreeDNA acknowledged that it has been working voluntarily with federal law enforcement agencies to provide information on familial matches.

In Canada, immigration officials have also used DNA samples and consumer-oriented ancestry websites to establish the nationality of migrants. These developments demonstrate the growing importance of DNA testing in genealogical research.

But how can DNA testing be used effectively in building a family tree? According to Judy Russell, genealogy lecturer, educator, and author of The Legal Genealogist, 'DNA works hand-in-hand with paper trail documentation.' This means that while DNA testing can provide useful information about one's ancestry, it should not be relied upon exclusively.

In fact, DNA testing alone cannot distinguish between certain family relationships, such as first cousins, half-aunts or uncles, and great-grandparents. Instead, it is often used in conjunction with other genealogical tools to establish connections.

For many genealogists, DNA testing has proven to be a valuable tool in discovering long-lost branches of the family tree. Melvin J. Collier, author of Mississippi to Africa: A Journey of Discovery, notes that he has utilized autosomal DNA tests to find relatives who were previously unknown to him and his family.

If you're considering taking on the challenge of building a detailed family tree, DNA testing can provide useful information about your ancestry. However, it is essential to remember that DNA testing is just one tool in the genealogist's toolkit, and should be used in conjunction with other research methods to establish reliable connections.

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In conclusion, while DNA testing has become an increasingly important tool for genealogists, it is essential to use it responsibly and in conjunction with traditional research methods. By combining DNA testing with paper trail documentation and other genealogical tools, researchers can build a more comprehensive understanding of their family tree.

Back 3 generations from me genogram template