The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy (Second Edition)

By: Blaine T. Bettinger

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Unlock the family secrets in your DNA!

Discover the answers to your family history mysteries using the most cutting-edge tool available. This plain-English guide (newly updated and expanded to include the latest DNA developments) will teach you what DNA tests are available; the pros and cons of the major testing companies; and how to choose the right test to answer your specific genealogy questions.

And once you've taken a DNA test, this guide will help you use your often-overwhelming results, with tips for understanding ethnicity estimates, navigating suggested cousin matches, and using third-party tools like GEDmatch to further analyze your data.

Whether you've just heard of DNA testing or you've tested at all three major companies, this guide will give you the tools you need to unpuzzle your DNA and discover what it can tell you about your family tree.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016, 2019 Blaine T. Bettinger (P)2020 Tantor

Very Thorough - Covers The Topic

It is complicated but following the charts that can be downloaded (as described in the book) help a great deal (actually, it is essential to follow along in the various charts and examples that are supplied.) It really answered a lot of little questions I had on what one can conclude from possible matches typically supplied after a DNA test. It also explains why there are varying differences even between siblings and other close relatives and well as different results from different testing companies.

Improved Understanding

Not everyone has the same reason for DNA testing so that will effect the focus of your project. This has allowed me to better understand how DNA testing and genealogy work together and how they differ. It also provides information on types of testing and what information can best be gleamed from it depending on your project's criteria. Lastly, the PDF bonus material allows you to follow the author's rational along with resources/guides to help you with your next step in you project. I especially liked the chapter on hitting a brick wall because it offers clues depending on the generation you're working on in your family tree.

Best book I've read on the topic

As an avid genealogist for over 50 years, I have dug into DNA testing to use as a tool for further research for the past ten years. So far, this is the best book I have found on the topic and I probably have everything written on the subject in the past decade. Caveat...I also have the hard copy of the book and have found the diagrams, charts and pictures absolutely essential to understanding the material. Without it, I'm afraid the subject is too complicated to understand while just listening. Some chapters, such as on the ethics of genealogical testing, can be listened to without a problem but when you get into relationships comparing one genealogical line to another you need the diagrams in front of you. If you are looking to solve a genealogical puzzle, the book is filled with tips and techniques for doing it but you will need the charts.
I commend Bettinger on a job well done, however. The narration is good as is the audio quality. If there are later revisions to the book and it is reprinted in the years ahead I will certainly buy it.