Unlock Your Ancestry: Using DNA for Your Family History

Are you ready to break through your genealogical brick walls? DNA testing has radically changed the way we research family history, offering powerful tools to scientifically prove relationships and locate distant relatives. Join Cathy Moran Hajo for "Using DNA Testing for Genealogy," a comprehensive session designed to help you start using DNA testing to navigate the "gene pool."  This talk covers everything you need to know to get started, from "DNA 101" and basic terminology to choosing the right testing company to explore your heritage. You will learn how to interpret shared DNA segments, use advanced tools like GEDMATCH, and navigate important privacy and ethical considerations. Whether you are an adoptee searching for your birth family or a seasoned researcher looking to connect your tree with others, discover why DNA is the single most important tool available to expand your research today. Jump on in—the water’s fine! 

About the speaker: Cathy Moran Hajo, Ph.D., is the Museum's vice president and archives director. She is a historian who specializes in women's history, archives, and digital humanities. She is the director of the Jane Addams Papers Project at Ramapo College and was the Associate Editor of the Margaret Sanger Papers Project at New York University.