DNA and Genealogy

Kyle Merker's Ancestry.com commerical

“So I traded in my lederhosen for a kilt” is the classic line uttered by Kyle Merker while wearing a kilt in the Ancestry.com commercial advertising their DNA family history service. Almost every night, there is a TV commercial for DNA and genetic genealogy, and everyone wants their DNA tested to help unravel the mysteries of their family tree. Many people have questions about the terminology, the types of tests, and what you can learn about your ancestors from DNA testing.

The Southern History Department has the answer with our two Beyond the Basics of Genealogy workshops this fall. This month, we will be offering Jump Into the Gene Pool: Genetics and Your Family History on Saturday, August 27, at 10:00 a.m., at the North Birmingham Regional Branch Library. In this workshop, discover how genetic research can help you explore your family history. Find out what a gene sample can tell you about what parts of the world your ancestors came from and more. You can call us at 205-226-3665 or e-mail us at askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us. Workshops are free of charge, but registration is requested.

Southern History’s librarian, Mary Anne Ellis, said, "DNA research is one of the hottest trends in genealogy as science has made it possible to learn what parts of the world your people come from. You might learn that you could be part Native American or your ancestors hailed from Asia."

We will be going even deeper with our next Beyond the Basics of Genealogy workshop, Genetic Genealogy Strategies for African American and Native American Research, on Saturday, October 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Central Library. We highly encourage you to attend Jump Into the Gene Pool: Genetics and Your Family History if you do not have immediate knowledge of genetic genealogy in order to get the most out of the workshop on African American and Native American DNA. For more information, contact the Southern History Department at 205-226-3665 or e-mail us at askgenlocal@bham.lib.al.us.

Southern History Department
Central Library
Birmingham Public Library