Wednesday, Nov. 15th at 1:30pm in-person at the Bristol Township Senior Center, 2501 Bath Road, Bristol, PA

Ever wonder what AncestryDNA is all about? Have you created a family tree and want to try using DNA to expand it? Are you wondering if you need to trade in your lederhosen?

Genetic/Forensic Genealogist Cathy Ivins will present an Introductory DNA program to help you determine the right test and testing company for your specific wants and needs, whether you are a “Newbie” and need help understanding results or a “Wannabe” curious what a DNA test can do for you, including:
• Starting or expanding your Family Tree
• Finding cousins or other family members
• Connecting and collaborating with matches
• Learning your ethnicity predictions
• Helping to solve a biological family mystery
• Learning genetic predispositions or carrier risks
• Learning the difference between Autosomal DNA, Y-DNA and Mitochondrial DNA testing.
• Comparing the big 4 testing companies: AncestryDNA, 23andMe, FamilyTree DNA, and MyHeritage

Don’t worry – you do NOT need to know the science behind the test! Handouts will be available.

Cost: $5 at the door • FREE to current members of Bristol Twp. Senior Center

Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/Dna4btsc

It’s been an amazing 6 year ride, discovering a non-paternity event for a loved one, then solving the mystery, to uniting him with his biological family from NJ to Puerto Rico. Genetic genealogy was key, but basic genealogy skills were necessary too. Read about the process in the following articles:

• The Hunt for Biodad – February 2021 – Bucks County Genealogical Society Newsletter
• The Hunt for Biodad Part 2 – July 2021 – Bucks County Genealogical Society Newsletter
• “Together At Last” – Fall 2021 Bucks County Herald Senior Living

I’ll be presenting a program in Nov. 2022 for the Central Jersey Genealogy Club: “Digging Into the DNA Toolbox” on utilizing your DNA results, based on the process of finding “Biodad”, including tools and results from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA, DNA Painter, Gedmatch and more.

Read my article “Virtual Bliss” published in the May 2020 Newsletter of the Bucks County Genealogical Society. How have you taken advantage of the boom of virtual programs available due to Covid-19? https://www.bucksgen.org/images/Newsletters/May2020Newsletter.pdf

Did you know that researching your family history can cost you NOTHING but your time!

• Ancestry.com is free to use at most libraries for searching. You cannot create a tree at a library but you can search records!
• FamilySearch.org is the next largest genealogy database – and guess what – it’s FREE! Just create a free username and password. You can even create a tree there.
• Want to learn more? Visit www.bucksgen.org and click on “beginners” on the left column. There you will find a video I created which walks you through how and why we do genealogy. And the page has all the links you need to get started.
• Lastly – join a genealogy society near you! There is nothing better than learning from others. Good luck!

Check out my latest programs, demonstrations, and brief bio!

IvinsGen_Programs