Mitch: An excellent introduction to the increasing use of DNA test results in genealogy.
The book is current through about 1998-1999. This is an a rapidly changing area open to genealogists. A 3rd edition bringing the text current to say 2023 would be very welcome.
Highly recommended!
United States on Oct 26, 2023
Rogerio Guimaraes: Objetivo, direto.
Brazil on Apr 10, 2022
bruce r macpherson: DNA technology has introduced a new and exciting tool for genealogists and ordinary folks that want to explore their family history. This book explains the basics of the science, the technology, and its applications. It's complicated, of course, but the author does a good job explaining the basic principles of DNA testing and goes into considerable detail about the commercial tests that are available. I have a modest professional background in genetics, which made this information easier to absorb. Nonetheless, this book provides sufficient detail to satisfy even the most discerning genealogist without overwhelming the general reader. The book was published in 2016 and updated in 2019, so a lot has happened in this field since then. Still, as a primer in genetic genealogy this book can't be beat.
United States on Feb 13, 2022
Eleonora Haas: Dr. Blaine Bettinger is one of the earliest pioneers in the field of genetic genealogy and this book offers a great overview of its many aspects. It's also available in Spanish. Absolutely recommended!
Germany on Jan 19, 2022
Jonathan Mills: There are many web sites and tutorials on using DNA for genealogical research. But it is an emerging science, and it is complicated for the average person to understand. Bettinger explains the science and the 'use cases' for DNA in a way that is understandable and extremely helpful. Bringing together his education as a scientist and his passion for genealogy, Bettinger is simply the best writer on the subject for the novice or modestly experienced genealogist trying to work with DNA.
It is particularly helpful for deciding which DNA company to use for your testing since each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. Bettinger lays out a logic diagram to help you choose the right DNA company, and provides helpful comparisons throughout the book.
I highly recommend this book. I have gone through my highlighted sections several times to remind myself of the various technical aspects of applying DNA analysis to genealogical work.
Canada on Jun 24, 2020
Peter Williams: I haven't found it easy to wrap my head around the process of recombination and chromatids but so far this this is the best book that I have read to give me an understanding of what's going on.
X and Y chromosomes and mtDNA are relatively straightforward. It's still not easy (or at least hasn't been for me, but I believe that the author has made a good fist of conveying concepts.
There are cheaper books and I thought hard before buying the Kindle version which is still expensive and on my iPAD (therefore in colour - I long since abandoned the Amazon Kindle devices) it has been more convenient than a book.
As an aside, Genealogy books these days frequently contain hyperlinks and providing you have an iPAD I have found Kindle versions to be so much more convenient because I can load the Kindle App on my Desktop as well and very quickly bookmark all the hyperlinks in a sub-category using my favourite browser 'Brave'. I find Google's insistence on tracking me worse than annoying and have spent quite a lot on software to block and remove cookies.
United Kingdom on Jun 01, 2020
Paper or Kindle: There is one glaring omission from this otherwise excellent book: nowhere does it explain centiMorgans, which are a hot topic in every genealogy group I belong to. Apart from that, however, this is a relatively short (270 pages), well-written, nicely illustrated introduction to the confusing science of DNA testing as it relates to genealogy. I held off on testing for years, but finally took the plunge, along with my mother and sister (it was my mother's idea). Before I get swept up in a sea of endless matches, I'm reading this book as if I were back in college and cramming for finals. It's presented in a structured way, with information in bite-sized chunks, clearly delineated, with charts, color blocks, examples galore, and great references to other books, organizations, and resources of all kinds. You don't have to read all of it, though. The Y-DNA section can be skipped if there are no males being tested in your family; there's a chapter on adoption which may not apply to you, and so on. There are comparisons between the major companies (Ancestry, 23 and Me, Family Tree, My Heritage), which can help you decide which is best for your purposes. Are you looking for your ethnicity,...
United States on Dec 23, 2019
meslien SANDRA: clairement expliqué, shémas et pas écrit en petit, l'anglais reste accessible. je recommande vivement. le format peut de mettre dans sac à main
France on Nov 03, 2017
Richard H. Martin: Despite what the marketing departments of some DNA testing companies try to make you believe, genetic genealogy is complex. And arcane. And rapidly changing. And not easily amenable to do-it-yourself learning. Until this book was published, that is.
I struggled on my own up the long and at times steep learning curve of genetic genealogy for about two years. Despite having a doctoral degree, this octogenarian was nearly overwhelmed by lions and tigers and bears (and cMs and SNPs and STRs) oh, my. I lost my way and the will to press on several times, and on occasion I suspected that the anointed gurus near the edge of this DNA-based genealogical frontier were simply jargon-spouting wizards hiding behind a curtain of pseudo-science.
How I wish this book had been published before I started down that yellow brick road. I suspect it would have cut at least a year off of my journey. Well written, attractive, nicely illustrated, and well organized, the book was “intended to be a resource for genealogists of all experience levels, from beginner to expert and everyone in between.” And, by golly, I think the author nailed that lofty goal. Blaine Bettinger knows his stuff,...
United States on Mar 12, 2017
| Unlock Your Family History: A Comprehensive Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy | Jeffrey Mason's Heartfelt Journey Through His Mother's Story | Jeffrey Mason's Memoir: A Journey Through His Mother's Story | |
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| B2B Rating |
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97
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97
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| Sale off | $10 OFF | $2 OFF | |
| Total Reviews | 60 reviews | 256 reviews | 256 reviews |
| Publisher | Family Tree Books; Second edition | ||
| Item Weight | 1.71 pounds | ||
| Customer Reviews | 4.7/5 stars of 1,630 ratings | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 10,647 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when.execute { if { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative { if { ue.count || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when.execute { A.declarative{ if { ue.count || 0) + 1); } }); }); | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 10,647 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when.execute { if { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative { if { ue.count || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when.execute { A.declarative{ if { ue.count || 0) + 1); } }); }); |
| Language | English | ||
| Genetics (Books) | Genetics | ||
| Paperback | 272 pages | ||
| Genealogy (Books) | Genealogy | Genealogy | Genealogy |
| Parenting & Family Reference | Parenting & Family Reference | ||
| ISBN-13 | 978-1440300578 | ||
| Best Sellers Rank | #13 in Genealogy #19 in Genetics #49 in Parenting & Family Reference | #4 in Genealogy #8 in Parent & Adult Child Relationships #35 in Motherhood | #277 in Genealogy #322 in Guided Journals #1,065 in Motherhood |
| Dimensions | 7.1 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches | ||
| ISBN-10 | 1440300577 |
United States on Jan 15, 2024