Title: DNA and Genealogy
Author: Fitzpatrick, PhD, Colleen, Yeiser, Andrew
Publishing Information: Rice Book Press, 2005, 179 pgs
General Statement:
Back page blurb: This book is “The basics for those who are new to DNA testing; Important insights for more experienced genetic genealogists; Fascinating anecdotes for everyone.”
Basic Review:
Books on Genealogy & DNA are often out of date as the science is moving quickly. This book is already nearly twenty years old, however, reading through this book I noticed that most of what is detailed is still relevant today. For anyone interested in DNA and its use for genealogy research and wants a more detailed study it may still be of interest however, it may be far too detailed for a ‘beginner’. The border notes in the various chapters are interesting.
Chapters:
About DNA
This chapter is basic beginning DNA information. Detailed references.
The Ins and Outs of Genetic Genealogy
This chapter immediately jumps into haplotypes and Short Tandem Repeats (Y-STRs) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs or snips).
Surname Studies
A brief chapter on joining or starting a surname study.
What Kind of Test is Right for Me?
Basics of test options and testing companies.
Are We Really Cousins?
Discussions on Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA), Genetic Distance and the Family Tree DNA FTDNATiPTM calculator.
WOW, OW, WO, and O Stories (includes examples)
WOW: Helps tie up loose ends in a research problem; OW: Unexpected relationship in the present that cannot yet be explained in the past; WO: Relationship in the past but no relationship in the present has been established; O: Unique genetic features in a family that are worth investigating in both the past and present.
Nonpaternity Events
Brief chapter on adoption, name changes, illegitimacy
Starting and Managing My Own Study
Detailed chapter on how to organize and manage a DNA study.
How Many Markers? How Many People?
Joining a DNA study. Much of this chapter discusses using third-party software (that can be downloaded free), that creates what they call a cladogram, a visual means of reviewing and studying haplogroups often in relationship to surname studies. This
software is designed by, I think, an engineering company. It is interesting but I am not
sure how relevant unless you are dealing with a very large surname study.
What Can DNA Tell Me About My Surname?
Related to the previous chapter on cladograms.
SNPS, Clades, and Haplogroups
Interesting chapter on SNPS, Clades and Haplogroups that will be of interest even to
beginners in genetic genealogy.
The Last Wor(1)d, The Typewriter
Odd little 3-page chapter of her conclusions.
Appendix A, MRCA Calculations [Most Recent Common Ancestor] Includes reference articles
that may be of interest and may help you understand your DNA testing companies MRCA (Most
Recent Common Ancestor) Calculations.
One of the testing companies that provide this information is FamilyTreeDNA with their
“Time Predictor” also known as FTDNATiPTM Report offered with the Y-DNA testing.
Used in conjunction with the chapter titled ‘Are We Really Cousins?’ this appendix
section details how MRCA Calculations are completed to discover the probability of a
Common Ancestor. As you can see from this example: [Probability of the MRCA within G
generations based on k mismatches=1-P0-P1-P2...-Pk], you will probably need to be a
more advanced DNA genealogy researcher to use this appendix.
An interesting note: The author does mention that it has been conventional to assume
an average of 25 years per generation [something that I have heard for years] in
genealogical calculations, however, recent research indicates it is about 30 years for
males in Western cultures for the last few hundred years. There is a reference given for
this statement.
MCGS Librarian

A good, fast read but benefit greatly from an updated edition to take account of the newer, higher resolution tests now available (67 and 111 markers) as well as the new autosomal tests, e.g., FTNDA's "Family Finder". ( )

R/Genetic genealogy/DNA - Handbooks, manuals, etc.