Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Kathryn Johnston, MD

Dr. Kathy Johnston, a retired dermatologist, has been engaged in genealogical research for over 25 years. She has been active in genetic genealogy since 2004, at which time she started collecting DNA samples from her aging parents in order to identify their Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA lines. She has had a special interest in the X chromosome since 2008 because of its unique pattern of inheritance.

Kathy has been active in the DNA Interest Group of the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) and the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG). As a volunteer, she helps genealogists understand their direct-to-consumer DNA test results. She is a volunteer administrator for several projects at Family Tree DNA. She was a volunteer at the very first "Family History and DNA: Genetic Genealogy in 2013" conference co-sponsored by SCGS and ISOGG.  In September 2013 she was invited to attend an historic ancestry inference roundtable discussion organized by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG). In October, 2013 in Boston, she presented a scientific poster during the Ethical, Legal, Social, and Policy Issues in Genetics Session at the ASHG 63rd Annual Meeting. In 2014 she gave a presentation on the X chromosome for the SCGS Jamboree and again for the Institute for Genetic Genealogy (i4GG) in Washington D.C.

TH009 Thursday June 4, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
X-tra X-tra, Read All About it: The Latest News on the X Chromosome for Genealogists
The X chromosome hasn't gotten much press compared to the other chromosomes. It is the least understood, yet it can be the most important if you just happen to hit the jackpot. If you want to break through a brick wall or if you are an adoptee looking to find your birth parents, you will want to understand the X chromosome pattern of inheritance. Learn when an X match is significant and when it is not. We will explore which companies have the best success rates and how to compare results between companies to maximize matching. Experience with DNA testing is advised for attendees.

FR013 Friday June 5, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Adventures Around the World with X, Y, and Mitochondrial DNA
Can we re-write history through studying our own DNA? Find out how to challenge the textbooks, discover secrets in your family tree and have fun along the way. Hear real success stories in addition to discoveries that stretch the imagination as we attempt to connect the dots. This presentation will be geared toward beginners with just a little bit of hard science thrown in.

SA048 Saturday June 6, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Panel: Ask the Experts about DNA and Genealogy
What is the current "state of the art" in relation to each of the major DNA tests: Y-DNA, mtDNA, autosomal DNA, and X chromosome? Which companies test which? What advances are being made in the field?

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Diahan Southard

A microbiology graduate, Diahan Southard worked before and after graduation for the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation. Growing up with the budding genetic genealogy industry led her to her current position as Your DNA Guide, where she provides personalized interactive experiences to assist individuals and families in interpreting their genetic results in the context of their genealogical information. Diahan's lectures are always fun, upbeat, and full of energy. She has a passion for genetic genealogy, a genuine love for people, and a gift for making the technical understandable.

TH006 Thursday June 4, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Organizing Your Genetic Genealogy
In this one-of-a-kind lecture we will discuss various methods for keeping track of your DNA matches -- especially your autosomal DNA matches. We will first discuss what kind of information you need to keep track of, and why. We will cover the basics of Excel, Word, email folders and correspondence. We will talk about some alternative tools like Evernote and Kustumnote that can help you streamline and standardize your organization. We will even cover some visual tools that will help you including Google Earth.  This session will leave you armed and dangerous, ready to identify your best autosomal DNA matches and begin to move forward with the real genealogy business of making connections.

TH022 Thursday June 4, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
What Now? Next Steps for Genetic Genealogists and Autosomal DNA
At some point in the recent past you were convinced that DNA testing could help with your genealogy, so you went through with the testing. But now you are faced with confusing results and a long list of matches. This lecture will refresh your biology knowledge, create the foundation of genetic genealogy knowledge, and most importantly, teach you how to get started using your autosomal DNA testing in your genealogy.

TH018 Thursday June 4, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
DNA Testing and Your Ethnic Origins
While there is no doubt that DNA testing can help genealogists uncover their family history, just how much can the ethnic portion of the results tell you? We will start by covering what your Y-DNA and mtDNA testing can tell you about the origins of your direct maternal and direct paternal lines, and answer questions including "What is a haplogroup?", "How is the haplogroup related to the list of numbers provided?", "How geographically specific can the haplogroups be?", "When and how should you pursue additional testing?", and "What additional resources are there to help me understand my haplogroup?".

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Jeremy Balkin

Jeremy Balkin is an Information Specialist and mans his place in the pantheon of Family Tree DNA's Help Desk. He interprets genetic ancestral results for the expanding customer base and is one of the voices that you hear when you call FTDNA. You may find his signature on your email queries as well.

Having worked in the field for almost three years, he has been able to fuse his communication studies with his knowledge of history to provide ancestral analysis that anybody can understand. His Family Tree DNA test results are heavily laden with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

Aside from Family Tree DNA, Jeremy is passionate about communication. He is a professional photographer, as well as a professional writer. He has shot for several publications, and still photographs weddings and special events. He graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in History and a minor in Communication.

TH001 Thursday, June 4, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
How DNA Testing Can tell You More about Your Ancestry Than You Bargained For
Most people who become interested in genetic genealogy because they're interested in knowing what their ethnic origin mixes are and to whom they are related. In essence, they want to know "Who am I?" and "Where did I come from?" Documents give clues, but the accuracy of that documentation depends on who wrote it and the information they were given to record. Because genetic genealogy is, in effect, "guilt by association", using Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and/or autosomal DNA can answer questions of origins and relatedness.

This talk will explain the types of tests and provide examples of the results of each to demonstrate how people have used these tools in their quests to explore beyond the limits of the paper trail.

Jamboree 2015 - Meet the Speaker: Tim Janzen, MD

Dr. Tim Janzen, a family practice doctor in Portland, Oregon, has had an interest in genealogical research for over 35 years. He and Glenn Penner are the administrators of the Mennonite DNA project at www.mennonitedna.com. Tim has a strong interest in many areas of genetic genealogy, particularly in regards to phasing and autosomal DNA analysis.

TH004 Thursday June 4, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Programs to Help You Analyze Your Autosomal DNA Data
Some very important tools have been developed which greatly facilitate the use and analysis of autosomal DNA test data for genealogical purposes. You will learn the benefits and limitations of each tool.

TH012 Thursday June 4, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Examples of How Autosomal DNA Testing Solved Genealogical Questions
This presentation will provide a series of case studies in which autosomal DNA testing was used to solve genealogical problems or to confirm existing research. You will learn how to do similar analysis of your DNA data.

TH019 Thursday June 4, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Using Autosomal DNA Testing as a Means to Trace Your Family Tree
This presentation will summarize how to use autosomal DNA tests for genealogical purposes. The pluses and minuses of each major autosomal DNA test will be described. You will also learn techniques for organizing your autosomal DNA data.

FR-B Friday June 5, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
Autosomal DNA Chromosome Mapping Workshop
This workshop will review the various ways in which autosomal DNA can be mapped so that DNA segments may be attributed to individual ancestors. Participants will begin or continue the process of mapping their DNA.
3 1/2 hour workshop.  Additional registration and fees apply. Limited to 40 attendees.

SA048 Saturday June 6, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Panel: Ask the Experts about DNA and Genealogy
What is the current "state of the art" in relation to each of the major DNA tests: Y-DNA, mtDNA, autosomal DNA, and X chromosome? Which companies test which? What advances are being made in the field?