Get the information on DNA heritage

Researching genealogy can be daunting enough, but throwing the new DNA technology into things can really make it complicated.

Before wading into the genetic testing waters, come out to DNA and Genealogy at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. The event will take place at the library’s downtown location.

Charise Markin, an experienced amateur genealogy researcher, will present the program. She says her hope is to help people considering genealogical DNA testing find the service that best fits their needs.

“I’ll go over what DNA can do and cannot do for you,” she said. “I’ll give some examples from when I did my own DNA test.”

Markin said she has been interested in her own genealogy since she was a child, listening to stories of her family from her grandfather. She has been doing her own research for about 25 years.

She said that different tests are better for certain results.

“DNA is fascinating to me,” she said. ”Depending on what you’re looking for, different tests are better for certain things.”

Markin has been able to trace her family back, in some cases, back to Europe or the Revolutionary War, she said.

“I enjoy history. For me, it’s a dive into … getting to know that person. I want to know the people that the bloodline is comprised of,” she said.

And with DNA testing, she can find the makeup of the bloodline, as well.