Course Twelve – Intermediate DNA: Planning for and Conducting Research Using DNA and Documentary Resources

“Karen Stanbary is a wonderful instructor. She is warm and approachable. Always willing to help and answer questions. Very patient and engaging. As for the virtual nature of this cyberspace environment. I loved it. I do not like to travel so having this opportunity made IGHR a reality for me. I cannot imagine driving home after the week we just had in Course 12. I don’t think I knew my right from left until sometime Saturday afternoon. My IQ went up at least 10 points after completing this course. Karen is a gem!”

“By the course being virtual this year, it allowed me to immediately incorporate the methodologies learned to my own research and documentary evidence (that was literally at my fingertips) while I was still learning. Great decision!!”

“Love the virtual institute! It is much easier to complete the computer work on my home system with multiple large monitors instead of on a laptop with a small screen. Much prefer this format!”

Course Twelve – Intermediate DNA: Planning for and Conducting Research Using DNA and Documentary Resources


  • Registration is now open through Monday July 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern – register here!
  • Maximum: 30 students
  • Virtual classrooms using Zoom
  • All courses come with a digital syllabus
  • Students will receive a digital certificate upon course completion

Course Coordinator

Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG®

Description

Students learn intermediate atDNA analysis and writing skills. Students apply the skills to their own family research by creating a source-cited report that proves the biological and documented relationships on one ancestral line back to a second great-grandparent. Genealogy Standards provides the framework. Case studies enhance the learning.

Prerequisites, textbooks, and other student information

Course prerequisites:

Beginning level DNA course at IGHR, GRIP, or SLIG. Students may submit a written work sample in lieu of the prerequisite.

Course requirements:

Students will need permission to access atDNA match lists for the base test taker(s)—typically themselves, parents, aunts/uncles, first cousins.

Required books:                                                                                                     

Board for Certification of Genealogists. Genealogy Standards. 2d ed. rev. Nashville, Tenn.: Ancestry.com, 2021.

Recommended books:

Jones, Thomas W. Mastering Genealogical Proof. Arlington, Virginia: The National Genealogical Society, 2013.

Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. 3rd ed. rev. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2017.

Course Schedule (All times listed are Eastern Time)

Monday
10:30 – 11:00 Course Overview (Stanbary)
11:00 – 12:15 Genealogy Standards (Stanbary)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 What is the Best Evidence? Source Selection and Analysis of Documentary Research (Stanbary)
2:00 – 3:30 Lunch
3:30 – 4:45 Research Reports and Genealogies (Stanbary)
4:45 – 5:15 Break
5:15 – 6:30 Hands-on Independent Worktime and Private Consultations (Stanbary, T. Jones)
 
Tuesday
10:30 – 11:00 Introspection (Stanbary)
11:00 – 12:15 Working with Autosomal DNA to Confirm an Ancestral Line (Stanbary)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Match Analysis, Pedigree Evaluation & Mitigation (Stanbary)
2:00 – 3:30 Lunch
3:30 – 4:45 Case Study (Green)
4:45 – 5:15 Break
5:15 – 6:30 Hands-on Independent Worktime and Consultation (Stanbary, McGhie)
 
Wednesday
10:30 – 11:00 Introspection (Stanbary)
11:00 – 12:15 Tracking DNA Matches with Air Table (Dyer)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Selecting the Best Matches to Prove a Biological Relationship (Woodbury)
2:00 – 3:30 Lunch
3:30 – 4:45 Case Study (Stanbary)
4:45 – 5:15 Break
5:15 – 6:30 Hands-on Independent Worktime and Consultations (Stanbary, McGhie)
 
Thursday
10:30 – 11:00 Introspection (Stanbary)
11:00 – 12:15 Tips for Searching and Communicating with Living People (Woodbury)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Writing About Proof of Biological Relationships (Stanbary)
2:00 – 3:30 Lunch
3:30 – 4:45 Case Study (Woodbury)
4:45 – 5:15 Break
5:15 – 6:30 Hands-on Independent Worktime and Consultations (Stanbary, McGhie)
 
Friday
10:30 – 11:45 Chromosome Mapping (Stanbary)
11:45 –12:00 Break
12:00 – 1:15 Peer Review (Stanbary)
1:15 – 1:30 Break
1:30 – 2:45 Golden Nuggets (Stanbary)

Course Faculty