The Grand Marais Public Library has scheduled a presentation titled “What can DNA add to your family history?” on Wednesday, September 5, at 6 p.m. The speaker is Jay Fonkert, co-managing editor of Minnesota Genealogist, and a leading Minnesota genealogy expert.
Inexpensive DNA tests open new windows in family history research. Researchers can learn about their geo-ethnic heritage, find new relatives, or verify relationships established through traditional research. This informal class will include an overview of who to test, how to choose the right kind of DNA test, and how to make sense of the test results. The presenter will compare tests from four companies: Ancestry DNA, Family Tree DNA, My Heritage, and 23 and Me.
After a short presentation on genetic genealogy basics, there will be time for questions, answers, and discussion. This class is best suited to family history enthusiasts who are thinking about taking a DNA test or those who have taken tests, but need help interpreting their test results.
Besides his work for Minnesota Genealogist, J. H. (“Jay”) Fonkert specializes in 19th-century Midwest, English, and Scandinavian research. He has lectured local, regional, and national conferences in more than a dozen states and has published more than 70 research and teaching articles in major genealogy journals, including the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly.
Fonkert has also studied at genealogical research institutes in Utah, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., including three advanced genetic genealogy courses. Jay is a director and past-president of the Minnesota Genealogical Society.
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