Ginger Smith will discuss the types of DNA tests that are commercially available, how to choose a test based on what your goals and expectations are, and how the various tests can satisfy your genealogical needs. She will then present a case study illustrating how DNA testing can be used to break down your brick walls and answer your research question. Handouts will be provided.

Smith is a Senior Scientist at North Carolina Central University with a BS in Biology and an MLS in Library Sciences. She has been researching her family history for over 10 years. She is the Vice President of the Durham-Orange Genealogical Society, an active member the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG), and a project manager of two DNA Surname projects on FamilyTreeDNA.com. Ginger writes about DNA testing, research advice, and how to perform genealogical research at the North Carolina State Archives on her blog, Genealogy By Ginger.