DNA Genealogy Academy & Guides
DNA Academy
A practical, evidence-informed guide to genetic genealogy, organized by what you want to do: understand your DNA test, analyze your matches, map shared segments, and document family relationships with records and sources.
What do you want to do right now?
You don't need to read the Academy from beginning to end. Choose the task that matches your current question.
Your learning path
The tracks build on each other: first understand the test, then analyze matches, map segments, and document what the evidence supports.
🟢 DNA Foundations
Start here if you are new to genetic genealogy or deciding which DNA test to buy. This track explains how DNA is inherited and what each type of test can and cannot tell you.
Intro to DNA Testing
What genetic genealogy is, how DNA can help your research, and where to start with your tree.
- Before: None
- You'll learn: what DNA can and cannot show in family research
Autosomal DNA Testing
The most widely used test for finding relatives across all ancestral lines, typically within about 5 to 6 generations.
- Before: Part 1
- You'll learn: how autosomal DNA is inherited and why matches are found
mtDNA Testing
How mitochondrial DNA is passed down the direct maternal line and what it can tell you about maternal ancestry.
- Before: Part 1
- You'll learn: when an mtDNA test fits your question
Y-DNA Testing
How the Y chromosome follows the direct paternal line and how surname projects use Y-DNA results.
- Before: Part 1
- You'll learn: when a Y-DNA test fits your question
Combining Multiple Tests
How autosomal, mtDNA and Y-DNA tests complement each other when you investigate different branches of your tree.
- Before: Parts 2–4
- You'll learn: which test to use for which branch
Your Practical Workflow
A step-by-step routine for ordering a kit, downloading your raw data and logging your first findings.
- Before: Parts 1–2
- You'll learn: what to do from kit order to first notes
5 Mistakes to Avoid in DNA Testing
Common pitfalls such as testing the wrong relatives, over-reading ethnicity estimates and overlooking privacy settings.
- Before: None
- You'll learn: how to avoid five common beginner errors
Primary sources & further reading: ISOGG: Autosomal DNA statistics • ISOGG Y-DNA Haplogroup Tree • PhyloTree (mtDNA)
🔵 Match Interpretation & Analysis
Once your results are ready you will face a long match list. This track shows how to read shared DNA, sort your matches and group them into family branches, so you can form testable hypotheses about shared ancestors.
How DNA Matching Works
How shared DNA is detected and how centimorgans (cM) are used to estimate possible relationships.
- Before: Track 1, Part 2
- You'll learn: to read cM values and relationship ranges
How to Interpret DNA Test Results
Read your testing dashboard, treat ethnicity estimates with care, manage your match list and spot close connections.
- Before: Track 1, Part 2
- You'll learn: to find and prioritize your closest matches
Analyzing DNA Matches: Advanced
Systematic sorting workflows, including the Leeds Method, in-common-with lists and cousin-group clustering.
- Before: the two guides above
- You'll learn: to group matches into branches of your tree
Understanding AutoCluster Reports
A visual walkthrough of how automated clustering groups your matches into likely family branches.
- Before: How DNA Matching Works
- You'll learn: to read a cluster report and know its limits
Primary sources & further reading: DNA Painter: Shared cM Project tool • ISOGG: Autosomal DNA statistics
DNA Phasing Guide
Phasing separates the DNA you inherited from your mother and your father. This guide explains how phased data makes chromosome mapping and match analysis easier to interpret.
Read DNA Phasing Guide →🟠 Advanced DNA & Segment Mapping
For experienced researchers who want to investigate specific ancestral links on chromosomes 1 to 22. Covers chromosome browsers, phasing, triangulation and pedigree modeling.
Introduction to Chromosome Browsers
Setup tips for chromosome browsers on platforms such as MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA and GEDmatch.
- Before: Track 2
- You'll learn: to view and compare shared segments
Guide to DNA Triangulation
How to check overlapping segments on a chromosome among several matches when investigating a common ancestor.
- Before: Chromosome Browsers; phasing is helpful
- You'll learn: to identify a triangulated group and its limits
WATO vs. BanyanDNA
A side-by-side comparison of how WATO and BanyanDNA approach pedigree modeling.
- Before: How DNA Matching Works
- You'll learn: which tool suits which kind of question
Primary sources & further reading: ISOGG: Triangulation • ISOGG: Phasing • ISOGG: Chromosome browser • DNA Painter: What Are the Odds? (WATO) • BanyanDNA
🟤 Records & Source Research
DNA results are clues, not conclusions. This track shows how to search censuses, vital registers and church books, and how to record your sources so a relationship can be supported by documents as well as DNA.
How to Build a Family Tree: 7 Tips
Interview relatives, organize records and grow your tree one generation at a time.
- Before: None
- You'll learn: a repeatable way to extend your tree
Beginner's Guide to Genealogy
An introduction to archival research, citing sources and keeping a research log.
- Before: None
- You'll learn: to record where each fact came from
Traditional Research Methods
Search censuses, civil registers, church books, military files and land records.
- Before: Beginner's Guide
- You'll learn: which record type answers which question
Primary sources & further reading: Board for Certification of Genealogists: Standards • Our directory of national archives and registries
🟣 Unknown Parentage & Adoptees
Searching for biological parents or grandparents requires its own workflow. These guides explain which tests to take, how to use matches to narrow down candidate families, and how to protect your privacy.
DNA Testing for Adoptees: Complete Guide
Which kits to buy first, how to upload your data to other databases, and how to protect your privacy.
- Before: None
- You'll learn: a testing and upload plan for maximum match coverage
DNA Detective Work
Step-by-step methods using match clustering, shared matches and pedigree modeling to narrow down biological family branches.
- Before: Track 2 and the adoptee guide
- You'll learn: to build candidate trees from your matches
Primary sources & further reading: Genetic Genealogy Standards • DNA Painter: What Are the Odds? (WATO) • BCG Standards
🛠️ Tools & Resources
Free calculators, viewers and templates that support the guides above. Use them to compare matches, visualize shared segments and keep your research organized.
🎓 Suggested learning order
If you are starting from scratch, this order avoids the most common mistakes.
DNA Basics
Read DNA Testing (Part 1) and choose your first kit.
How Matching Works
Study How Matching Works to understand cM values.
Organize & Group
Sort your matches with Advanced Match Analysis.
Estimate Relationships
Compare likely cousin ranges with the Relationship Calculator.
Map Segments
Compare overlapping segments in the Chromosome Browser.
Document with Records
Look for supporting documents using Traditional Research Methods.
A practical, evidence-informed guide to genetic genealogy
The Academy explains established methods and points to primary sources. It does not promise definitive answers about any individual family.
Sources
Key claims link to ISOGG, DNA Painter, the Board for Certification of Genealogists and other references listed under each track.
Estimates, not proof
cM ranges, relationship probabilities and ethnicity estimates are statistical. Always test them against records.
Who writes it
Learn who is behind Genetic Voyage and how the guides are researched and written on our. About Genetic Voyage
Updates & corrections
Last reviewed: October 2026. Found an error? Tell us and we will correct it.
A DNA match is a clue, not a conclusion.
Combine the guides, the tools and the records to build a family history where every link is supported by evidence you can cite.