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Optional Print Course Material: DNA: Historical Studies
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
Genetic genealogy is a topic of immense interest to family history researchers looking to find connections to ancestors when traditional research has failed to provide results. Utilizing both DNA testing and traditional research methods can mean the difference between an elusive ancestor and a documented ancestor.
But DNA testing is not just for genealogists interested in family relationships and ethnicity estimates. DNA is well-known for solving cold cases for law enforcement. It has also been used to solve some of history’s biggest mysteries such as in the claims of historical identities. Cases explored in the course include Anna Anderson, the Titanic Baby, Jesse James, and the Golden State Killer.
What can these seemingly non-genealogical cases teach us? Learning more about DNA as it relates to genealogical cases and non-genealogical cases helps to expand and enhance our DNA knowledge and provides insights as we solve research problems. Students are encouraged to explore these cases presented in this course further by seeking out scientific journals and popular media articles.
Course Length: 7 weeksMODULE 1
HISTORY OF DNA & GENEALOGY
DNA & Genealogy: A History
DNA & Anthropology
Consumer DNA Tests
History
How is DNA used for historical research?
A Note About History Terms
Genetic Genealogy Glossary
Recommended Reading & Resources
MODULE 2
THOMAS JEFFERSON & SALLY HEMINGS
Thomas Jefferson
Sally Hemings
DNA
Case Closed! Right? Or DNA Doesn’t Lie
Recommended Reading & Resources
MODULE 3
THE TITANIC
A Night to Remember
Recovering the Victims
Identifying the Victims
Titanic’s Unknown Child
DNA and Titanic
DNA, Genealogy, and More
Recommended Reading & Resources
MODULE 4
ANASTASIA
The Russian Royal Family
The Russian Revolution
Abdication
July 17, 1918
Did Anastasia survive?
Ancestry of the Royal Family
Finding the Remains
More DNA Testing
Who is the real Anastasia?
MODULE 5
DNA & LAW ENFORCEMENT: SOLVING COLD CASES WITH GENEALOGY
Golden State Killer
Michelle McNamara
DNA & Law Enforcement
DNA & the Golden State Killer
DNA, Criminal Cases & Genealogy
Before the Golden State Killer: The Canal Killer
DNA & Law Enforcement: A New Genealogy Match
Recommended Reading & Resources
MODULE 6
MORE DNA HISTORY
Genealogy
Mayflower
Crimes
Jack the Ripper
Jesse James
Military
Vietnam Unknown Soldier
Hunley
Military Repatriations
Recommended Reading & Resources