FamilyTreeDNA is Upgrading Their Family Finder Testing

 

Family Tree's autosomal DNA test is the Family Finder. Beginning March 2, 2026, a new sequencing panel will bring greater precision and consistency to the test. An upgrade will be offered for customers who previously tested. 

There is more information on their help center. 

Diahan Southard wrote a blog post about this.

Dallas Genealogical Society - Mastering the Search: German Genealogical Research Strategies

 

March 28, 2026 - Join in person at the downtown Dallas Public Library or via Zoom. 

Sessions: 

• Overcoming the Language Barrier in German Genealogy
• German Genealogy on the Internet: Beyond the Basics
• Finding and Using German Church Records
• Telling Their Story: Adding Character to Your German-American Genealogical Narrative

Link to More Information and Registration

The DNA Geek Classes - Leah Larkin

Leah Larkin, the DNA Geek and creator of the Leeds Method offers DNA classes. Here is what is coming up:

𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁, 𝗜’𝗺 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁?!? 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

Ethnicity (origin) estimates are one of the most popular reasons people test and one of the most misunderstood. Learn how they work, which are most accurate, and what those percentages really mean.

𝗕𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗗𝗡𝗔: 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗡𝗔

Already solved mysteries with DNA? Put your tree to the test. Learn how to use BanyanDNA to validate relationships, spot disconnects, and uncover what your tree might be missing.

𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅: 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗽 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵

Learn how to move beyond basic match lists and start seeing patterns, connections, and signals in your DNA data that can take your research to the next level.

Each class includes time for Q&A, has limited attendance, access to recordings for two weeks, captioning, and a handout.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: https://thednageek.com/events

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀?

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁: https://forms.gle/vCVWXRYCwdNRTxxR7

It's Time for RootsTech 2026!

 

Find Relatives at Roots Tech is "live" now

https://www.familysearch.org/en/connect/8a37fa20-0398-41a6-b391-0b33657a9976/

If you haven't signed up yet, you can do so here:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/registration/online/

February 21, 2026 - Saturday Seminar - "Organizing for Genealogical Success" by Emily Richardson

 

Join Genealogy Friends for our monthly free Saturday Seminar from 10:15 to Noon CT at W.O. Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano, TX. 

Organizing for Genealogical Success

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or professional researcher we have all felt the pain of not being able to find the document or picture we have previously found during our genealogical research. Organization of genealogical research is critical for success. Whether you use files, notebook, or digital files, you must have a process that will enable you to easily locate a document in your system. This organization includes developing a process that you use to know who you are researching, what you have completed, what you have found, where you found it and how this information aids in future research. Come learn more about organizational skills for genealogists so that you can be efficient and successful for your quest to find your ancestors. 

Members have access to handouts and recordings by logging in to our website - http://www.genealogyfriends.org/

2026 Texas State Family History Conference - A Journey of Discovery

 

This year the 2026 TxSGS Family History Conference will be at the Riley Center on the campus of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 6-7, 2026. It will be a hybrid event with 10 speakers in person. These presentations will be livestreamed to our virtual audience and recorded for registrants to view after the conference. In addition, there will also be a robust library of on-demand recordings that will also be accessible to registrants following the conference. 

This conference is being designed to inspire genealogists at all stages of their research as they explore new records, methodologies, technologies, and perspectives. We will explore the adventure of genealogical research - those exciting moments of discovery, the creative problem-solving, and the thrill of piecing together family stories. 

Save the Dates: November 6-7, 2026 And Come to Fort Worth!

TxSGS Offers Genealogy Essentials Class

 

Genealogy Essentials: Building a Strong Foundation for Family History February 2 - March 13, 2026| Online Course | $80

Are you just starting out on your family history journey? Have you been  researching for a while but want to jump start your research with new skills and resources? Unsure how to navigate the mountains of documents and  details you’ve inherited from relatives? The Texas State Genealogical  Society (TxSGS) understands the challenges beginners and other  researchers face—that’s why we’ve created “Genealogy Essentials,” a  flexible, online program designed with you in mind. TxSGS is again offering Genealogy Essentials – Course 1, our  comprehensive, eight-session curriculum aimed at beginners and  those who want to review the basic principles necessary to be successful as a genealogist. The pre-recorded lectures will all be released on  February 2, 2026, allowing students to watch sessions on their schedule.  A homework assignment booklet is included which will help participants  practice what they have learned in the courses. A recording of instructor  interviews addressing frequently asked questions will be available weekly  to provide additional information. “In designing ‘Genealogy Essentials,’ we aimed to create an accessible,  flexible program that helps participants build a strong foundation in  genealogy,” said Emily Richardson, TxSGS president and course  coordinator. “From understanding basic research concepts to evaluating  sources and organizing family documents, this course empowers learners  to discover their heritage with confidence.” All participants will enjoy access to the course materials—including  detailed handouts and session recordings—through March 13, 2026,  allowing ample time for review and reinforcement. No prior experience  is required; all you need is a computer with audio.

Learn More & Register Now

Family Tree Technology

 Natalie Webb's website Family Tree Technology is a great resource for technology and genealogy. Her website has her blog articles, videos, and a technology dictionary. You can subscribe to her blog and get emails with her articles. The latest one, "Problem Solving Without Knowing the Problem," was informative. https://familytreetech.com/

Free Webinar - 7 Essential Tips for Starting German Genealogy by Katherine Schober

 Webinar Link: 7 Essential Tips for Starting German Genealogy

Dates: January 20, 21, or 22

Description: 

In this free webinar hosted by internationally-known German genealogy expert Katherine Schober, you'll learn the 7 must-know tips that successful German genealogy researchers use to fill in their family tree —without feeling overwhelmed by old handwriting or foreign-language records.

By the end of this session, you’ll know:

• Where to start (and what not to waste time on)
• What German records are available - and how to get your hands on them
• How to fill in your German family tree with a clear, action-oriented plan

 Register now and start 2026 with confidence - your ancestors are waiting for you.

You’ll leave this webinar empowered to work - accurately - with your German documents!

Save your spot here!

January Genealogy News

 The first ship landed at Ellis Island on January 1, 1892. Thomas MacEntee's post about Ellis Island includes a free 10-page guide. https://mailchi.mp/genealogybargains.com/decoding-ellis-island-your-complete-guide-to-passenger-manifest-codes 

Reclaim the Records, a non profit group of genealogists and historians. They identify genealogical record sets that out to be in the public domain which are being restricted by government archives, libraries, and agencies to get them released to the public.  Here is a recap of their accomplishments in 2025 https://www.reclaimtherecords.org/about/year-in-review-2025/

MyHeritage added 1.2 billion historical records in December 2025 across 27 new and updated collections. More information is available on their blog post.  https://blog.myheritage.com/2026/01/myheritage-adds-1-2-billion-historical-records-in-december-2025/

Topotehque Our Memories is a collaborative online platform hosting individual 'topotheques' from across Europe, where communities share private historical collections like old photographs, letter, and documents. https://www.topothek.at/en/ 

January Saturday Seminar - The Road to Independence: Defying the British During the Revolutionary War

 

January 17, 2026 - "The Road to Independence: Defying the British During the Revolutionary War" by Michael Strauss, MA, AG, AGL - This lecture examines the complexities of the American Revolutionary War and its immediate aftermath, tracing its origins in escalating colonial tensions with Great Britain through its conclusion in 1783. Drawing on a range of primary source materials, we will explore the individual and collective experiences of military service in both the Continental and state forces. In addition to analyzing compiled military service records, pension files, and land bounty warrants, the lecture will incorporate naval and marine documentation to construct a more comprehensive understanding of the conflict. The analysis extends beyond the war's conclusion to address the national emergencies of Shay’s Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion, framing them as critical moments in the new republic’s post-war trajectory. 

Copyright Update

Every January 1st more published works are added to the Public Domain, which means they are no longer protected by copyright. Credit should be given to the author but you no longer have to pay a fee or ask permission to use information from the published work. 

The laws have changed over time, as of January 1, 2026 works published in or before 1930 are in the public domain. This only applies to the original 1930 version, if the work has been updated or annotated they are under copyright based on the date of the update. Websites that publish images of published works have their own terms and conditions.

Images in the public domain can be used to add interest to the family stories that we share.    

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales

 American Ancestors - The New England Historic and Genealogical Society is discounting their membership for new members by $30 through December 6. Membership includes access to AmericanAncestors.org. 

New York Genealogical & Biographical Society is discounting their membership for new members by 50%. Use code ONEYEAR50 when checking out to apply the discount. They also have books on sale 40% off Kinship Books. Discounts are applied at checkout. Both are valid through 11/30/2025.

Germanology Unlocked is discounting educational materials and courses. They are also offering a free webinar "Germany's Shifting Map: What it Means for Your Research."

German Genealogy Collective - everything in their store is 40% off. Use code FRIDAY40 at checkout.  

Legacy Family Tree Webinars is offering a one year membership for 50% off. That's 24.98 for a year of genealogy webinars. 

RootsMagic11 is on sale - new license $29.95 and upgrade $19.95. 

Ancestry has discounted gift memberships.

Amazon has discounts on scanners, printers, computers, monitors, and much more. Here is a post from Thomas MacEntee with some ideas. 

Forever is offering 60% off digitization. 

Family Tree Magazine is offering 25% off when you order 2 or more printed cheat sheets. 

DNA Specials & News

 Ancestry DNA is on sale for $29, regularly $99, and Ancestry DNA with Traits is on sale for $39 regularly $119.

Family Tree DNA family finder test is on sale for $39 regulary $79. They also have sales on mtDNA and YDNA tests. 

MyHeritage DNA test is on sale for $25 regularly $89.

YourDNAGuide is offering a $10 class on Ancestry's new Cluster Tool. 

FamilyTree has added over 12,700 new mtDNA haplogroups to the mtDNA tree. 

23andMe is adding new genetic group results, they are expanding their African coverage from 25 groups to more than 250.  

MyHeritage updated Theory of Family Relativity - 103 million new theories added. 

Gen Friends Events - Research At The Library

 

Join Genealogy Friends at W.O. Haggard Library on Saturday, November 8, 2026 from 10:15 to 1:00 pm CT. 

Program: 10:30-11:15 "Delving Into Divorce: Finding Family Details in the Civil Court Docket" by Susan Ball. 

Research Help 11:15 -1:00 Experienced Researchers will be on hand to help. Here's just a few ideas:

• Getting Started on Family History Research - bring what you know about your family. Create a free account on the National Genealogical Society website and download the free Pedigree Chart and Family Group Sheet. Fill in what you know and bring them to the library. https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/free-resources/charts/
• Brick Wall - bring your research question and research log/report. 
• Start a New Research Project - bring what you know about the research subject. We'll help you develop a research question, provide tips on researching the location, and starting your research. 
• Research in Restricted Records on FamilySearch.org. The Plano Libraries are Affiliate Libraries so you can access records you can't see from home.   

WPA Guide to Churches in Manhattan

 The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society added digital images of the WPA Guide to Vital Records in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan: Churches on their website. https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/online-records/wpa-historical-records-survey-new-york-state-research-volumes/572-030/1

This is one of five volumes covering the vital statistics records of religious organizations in New York City published by the Historical Records Survey of the Works Progress Administration. There is a volume for each borough. The publication is designed to help locate proof of birth or marital status facts. 

Here is a sample entry:

1926 Census of Ireland

 For the first time following the independence of the Irish Free State a census was taken in 1926. This census will be released to the public on 18 April 2026. Learn about the census https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQn7dxNAgzk

Ancestry Released Custom Cluster

 Ancestry is rolling out Custom Match Clusters as a new addition to ProTools. I don't have it yet so I haven't been able to try it, but I can't wait. 

Custom Match Clusters

With match clustering, we compare not only whether you match each person, but also whether 

those people match each other. In addition to standard clusters, which don’t focus on any 

particular match, you can create custom clusters, which do. 

Pick a DNA match to find people who are related to them, based on a centimorgan (cM) 

range of your choice.

Why create custom clusters? 

Clustering around a certain match can help you fill in missing parts of your tree. 

Discover matches who share DNA with a match of your choice—likely because they 

all come from the same ancestor. 

You can even add up to four additional related matches—which we call “sidekicks”—to 

narrow your results even further.

Custom clustering goes beyond enhanced shared matches, showing you not just matches

 you share with a match, but also who’s related to those matches.

When you create a custom cluster, you can also choose the centimorgan (cM) ranges

you want, from 20 cM on the low end to 1,300 cM on the high end.

Read more https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Custom-Match-Clusters?language=it

Dallas Genealogical Society Fall Seminar - Kelli Bergheimer - Strategies for DNA Breakthroughs

The Dallas Genealogical Society Fall Seminar "Strategies for DNA Breakthroughs" features Kelli Bergheimer. 

Saturday, October 25, 2025 9:30-3:30 CT

Topics:

Successful Sleuthing, Not Stalking, for DNA Matches

Ancestry Pro Tools: Increase Your DNA Analysis

The Power of Ancestry Clusters and Inferred Matching

The Tale of Two Grandfathers and an Adoption - Privacy and Ethical Concerns with DNA

For more information or to register https://dallasgenealogy.org/meetings-events/2025-fall-seminar/

New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Free Seminars

 NYG&B is offering a free week of seminars Nov 3-7. Programs include getting started with New York research, what to do if your ancestor's military personnel file burned in the fire, veterans of WWI, resources available at newyorkfamilyhistory.org, and more. 

For more information or to register https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/events/nygb-week-november-2025