DNA for Genealogy SIG

Posted bycogsgenealogyPosted inCOGS Shared Interest GroupTags:, , , ,

DNA for Genealogy is a Shared Interest Group (SIG) open to members of Clarke-Oconee Genealogical Society (COGS) and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Georgia (OLLI@UGA). You must be a member of at least one of these groups to participate.

DNA SIG meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month, except July and December. The meeting is usually held at the Athens-Clarke County Library in Multipurpose Room C. During the last half hour of each meeting, Mary Portier will lead a discussion for those who are using Your DNA Guide book and workbook by Diahan Southard. Because this book is a step-by-step guide, each person will work through their own DNA projects each month and then discuss their work and questions at the meeting. (DNA SIG members previously discussed Blaine T. Bettinger’s The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, Second Edition.) 

DNA for Genealogy Shared Interest Group 2025 Schedule – 2:00 p.m. ET

  • January 5 (old time)
  • February 20
  • March 20
  • April 17
  • May 15
  • June – no meeting
  • July – no meeting
  • August 21
  • September 18**
  • October 16
  • November 20
  • December – no meeting

DNA for Genealogy Shared Interest Group 2026 Schedule 1:30 – 4 p.m. ET

  • January 15
  • February 19
  • March 19
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July – no meeting
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December – no meeting

**Meeting has been moved to the Athens-Clarke Co. Library 2nd floor computer lab

The purpose of this Shared Interest Group is for sharing experiences, questions, problems, strategies, basic research methodology, and tools for genealogy research and DNA in a collaborative setting. DNA analysis cannot be done in a vacuum so family history tools and resources are also explored. A welcoming group of people with varied levels of expertise both in genealogy and in using DNA to solve problems, we usually meet monthly. One aspect of this SIG is to explore the ever-changing world of different consumer DNA companies, their offerings, and tools to interpret the results. Some of our members have spent years doing genealogy and have done lots of testing and others are just getting started in both family history research and in DNA. All are welcome and are invited to share and ask questions. Genealogy is, after all, a highly collaborative undertaking.

Have you taken a DNA test? Let’s Build Your Family Tree Together! Your DNA results provide a glimpse into your ancestral origins—now it’s time to connect the dots! Our COGS/OLLI DNA SIG volunteer researchers are ready to help SIG members build an online family tree, adding names, stories, and documents to bring your ancestry to life. Trace your roots, fill in the details, and gain a deeper understanding of your heritage.

  • “Turn DNA Insights into Family Connections: Discover how to transform DNA origins and matches into a structured family tree.
  • Step-by-Step Tree Building: We’ll guide you through setting up a family tree from scratch, adding records, photos, and stories to complete the picture—completely free of charge.
  • A Lasting Legacy: Create a tree you can share with loved ones, preserving your family’s history for generations.

Contact Laura (genlibrarianga at gmail dot com) for more information or to join the DNA for Genealogy SIG.

Join COGS https://cogsgenealogy.org/join/
Join OLLI@UGA https://olli.uga.edu/olli_how_to/olli_how_to/