DNA Genealogy Academy & Guides
DNA Academy
Your structured, scientifically verified roadmap to mastering genetic genealogy — from your first DNA test to advanced chromosome mapping and family history research.
Where are you in your DNA journey?
You don't have to follow the Academy from beginning to end. Pick the path that matches what you are trying to solve right now.
Your learning journey
Build your skills progressively — from understanding DNA to mapping segments and verifying your discoveries with records.
🟢 DNA Foundations
If you are new to genetic genealogy or deciding which commercial DNA test to purchase, start here. This track covers basic biological principles of DNA inheritance and introduces the types of DNA tests used in family history research.
Intro to DNA Testing
Learn what genetic genealogy is, how DNA can help your research, and how to choose the right starting point for your tree.
Read Guide →Autosomal DNA Testing
Explore the most common and powerful DNA test for finding cousins across all ancestral branches within 5 to 6 generations.
Read Guide →mtDNA Testing
Learn how mitochondrial DNA is inherited along the direct maternal line and how to trace your maternal ancestors.
Read Guide →Y-DNA Testing
Discover how the Y-chromosome traces the direct paternal line and how surname projects can break through brick walls.
Read Guide →Combining Multiple Tests
Learn how to strategically combine autosomal, mtDNA, and Y-DNA results to investigate different branches of your tree.
Read Guide →Your Practical Workflow
Your step-by-step roadmap for ordering your first kit, downloading raw data, and logging your initial findings.
Read Guide →5 Mistakes to Avoid in DNA Testing
Avoid common pitfalls like testing the wrong relatives, misunderstanding ethnicity estimates, and ignoring privacy settings.
Read Guide →🔵 Match Interpretation & Analysis
Once your DNA results are ready, you will be faced with a massive match list. This track teaches the essential methodologies used to sort, organize, and analyze your matches to identify shared ancestors.
How DNA Matching Works
Understand shared DNA, how matches are identified, and how centimorgans (cM) are used to predict cousin relationships.
Read Guide →How to Interpret DNA Test Results
Learn to read your testing dashboard, analyze ethnicity estimates, manage match lists, and spot close genetic connections.
Read Guide →Analyzing DNA Matches: Advanced
Master systematic match sorting workflows, including the Leeds Method, in-common-with lists, and cousin group clustering.
Read Guide →Understanding AutoCluster Reports
A visual tutorial explaining how automated clustering algorithms group your matches into distinct family branches.
Read Guide →DNA Phasing Guide
Learn how phasing separates maternal and paternal DNA and how this can make chromosome mapping and match analysis easier to understand.
Read DNA Phasing Guide →🟠 Advanced DNA & Segment Mapping
For experienced researchers who want to verify specific ancestral links on Chromosomes 1 through 22. Learn chromosome mapping, phasing, segment triangulation, and advanced probability modeling.
Introduction to Chromosome Browsers
Essential setup tips for configuring chromosome browsers on platforms like MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, and GEDmatch.
Explore Segment Mapping →DNA Phasing Guide
Learn how phasing separates maternal and paternal DNA and why phased data can improve advanced segment analysis.
Read Guide →Guide to DNA Triangulation
Learn how to verify overlapping segments on specific chromosomes among multiple matches to investigate a common ancestor.
Read Guide →WATO vs. BanyanDNA
A detailed side-by-side comparison of WATO pedigree modeling and BanyanDNA's advanced endogamy simulators.
Explore Segment Mapping →🟤 Traditional Archival Research
To back up your genetic match data, you must master traditional historical record searching. This track covers vital registers, censuses, and parish books used to construct documented family history.
How to Build a Family Tree: 7 Tips
Learn the basic principles of tree building, interviewing relatives, organizing records, and growing your pedigree one generation at a time.
Read Guide →Beginner's Guide to Genealogy
A comprehensive introduction to archival research, documenting sources, and establishing a verified historical research log.
Read Guide →Traditional Research Methods
Master censuses, civil vital registries, church registers, military files, and deeds.
Read Guide →🟣 Specialist Research & Adoptees
Searching for unknown biological parents, grandparents, or resolving adoption cases requires specialized methodologies. These workflows are designed to help you systematically solve unknown parentage.
DNA Testing for Adoptees: Complete Guide
Learn which DNA kits to purchase first, how the free-upload database transfer strategy works, and how to protect your privacy.
Read Guide →DNA Detective Work
Step-by-step methodologies using match clustering, shared matches, and pedigree modeling to isolate biological family branches.
Read Guide →🛠️ Interactive Tools & Resources
Leverage our private, secure web applications, calculators, and custom Excel templates to visualize your matches, analyze segments, and map your chromosomes.
🎓 Recommended Learning Roadmap
Follow the curriculum in this order to build a solid genetic pedigree while avoiding costly research mistakes.
DNA Basics
Read DNA Testing (Part 1) and order your first kit.
Matching Science
Study How Matching Works to master cM thresholds.
Organize & Group
Clean and sort your matches using Advanced Match Analysis.
Analyze Probability
Check cousin ranges with our custom Relationship Calculator.
Segment Mapping
Explore phased and triangulated segments with our Chromosome Browser.
Verify the Paper Trail
Confirm links in historical records using Traditional Methods.
Every match tells part of a story.
Use the Academy, the tools, and the paper trail together to turn DNA evidence into a documented family history.