Traditional Genealogy and Genetic Genealogy

Everyone at some point in life have thought about the origins of their families and have got involved in genealogical research to learn about their family’s origin. When I began researching family over fifteen years ago there was lots of legwork in researching family. Trips to libraries, courthouses and cemeteries where our families lived was a laborious task but one where research skills were honed and over time you became an experienced genealogists. When preparing for research trips to courthouses it took planning to be successful in searching the records. It is important to learn such things as the hours, what department to go to once there at the courthouse, what records are there, where they are located, how to find them. You also need to know what you are allowed to bring in whether a camera, iPhone, small scanner, or if they makes copies of the records and the cost of each page. As you walked cemeteries you learned the layout of the cemetery plots, how to look for family, and folks connected to them. Today with all the large record collections online those days are all but gone. However, there are search tips you need to know to have successful online searches.

Entertaining ad campaigns for DNA testing companies have made the public aware of DNA testing for genealogy and increased public interest in genetic genealogy. Genealogical DNA testing is an essential tool for genealogical research. People are interested to learn about their genetic ancestry and their family origins. One of the misconceptions people have is they no longer need to do the research that the DNA will tell them everything.

Traditional genealogical research is a needed tool along with DNA testing to determine relationships between individuals and identify family lines. When you use DNA testing it is helpful to test multiple descendants of an ancestor, so you will need to document as many descendants of an ancestor as possible using traditional research. You will be researching the parents, their children, and their descendants and documenting your research as you go along. DNA testing prices are now affordable, and a useful tool used to connect to living cousins and the cousin matches will increase as long as DNA testing continues to gain in its popularity. 

Reasons for getting involved in genealogical research and genetic genealogy varies depending on who you talk to. I became interested in genealogy research when I asked my Mother about family and she knew very little about her family or Daddy’s family. Not knowing about the Coon or the Eley families set me on a quest to learn about family and where our origin began. Then, when DNA testing for genealogy was made available, I got involved in it to prove or disprove family stories and to verify family lines. Using DNA test results to identify living relatives is both complex and challenging but worth the time and energy. The rewards come when finding new cousins and collaborating with them to identify our common ancestor couple. 

DNA test results is a tool in the family researcher’s toolbox, but it is an evidence-based tool. One that all serious genealogists needs in their toolbox along with traditional genealogical research.

Dorothy Lavada "Bobbie" Coon married 

George Joseph Underhill 12 Jun 1954. From

the author's personal collection.