Forensic scientists and genealogists share the same goal–to find out who was who, and who did what and when. In explaining how to analyze photographs, to mine databases, and to use DNA analysis to reveal family history, 'Forensic Genealogy' emphasizes the creative parts of an investigation over the mechanics.
Have you ever considered looking at the edges of an old photograph to find out who is in the picture? Have you ever considered epidemics as a source of genealogical information? How can you use DNA to connect your family with historical events long in the past? These are only a few of the surprising connections Forensic Genealogy offers for investigating the where, who, when, and why of your family history.
'Forensic Genealogy' offers innovative new tools for getting the most information out of your reference materials. It also suggests many unusual places to look for family history. Examples of the innovative research techniques offered by this book can be found on the website www.forensicgenealogy.info, where the author hosts weekly photo quizzes. After reading this book, you will never look at your research materials the same way again!
Contents:
Introduction
The Digital Detective
- Getting Started
- Location, Location, Location
- When?
- Stumpers
Case Study in Digital Detective Work: Where, Who, When and Why
The Database Detective
- Introduction|
- Getting Started
- Periodical Databases: Using City Directories
- Event Databases
- Unusual Reference Materials
- Using Multiple Sources to Construct a Family Story
- Cultural Profiling
Case Study in Database Detective Work: The History of the Ulmer Family
The DNA Detective
- About DNA
- Types of DNA Markers and Mutations
- Why Surname Studies Use Certain Markers
- Genealogical DNA Analysis
- Single Name DNA Studies
- Connecting with History Through Single Name Studies
- Nonpaternity Events
- Genetic Genealogy Testing Companies and Testing Options
- Online Databases
- The Details of DNA Markers and Their Genealogical Uses
- The Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA)
- Cladograms and Pairwise Mismatches
- There Will Always Be Mysteries Left
Reviews:
'Now I have had a chance to read through this book. I only wish that I had done so earlier..... All in all, "Forensic Genealogy" provides a fresh view of the many methods and objects that genealogists have used for decades. This one is a "keeper." I enjoyed reading "Forensic Genealogy" and suspect that you will also. You can learn more about this book and some of the techniques discussed at http://www.forensicgenealogy.info.' - Review, Dick Eastman, Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter
