With over 1500 sessions at the 2022 RootsTech site, it’s hard to choose which ones I like the most. But recently, I was asked about my top five sessions that I’ve watched so far, and these are the ones I’d choose.

DNA

As you can imagine, many of the videos I’ve watched are about DNA. You know I’m a DNA Nerd, right? Someone that was recommended to me as a presenter was Tanner Blair Tolman, AG. He has twelve videos about DNA, from beginner to advanced. I like his clear and easy-to-understand way of presenting.

DNA Painter Part 2: Chromosome Mapping

I skipped over Part One because I’m familiar with DNA Painter, and I have painted my DNA, but I haven’t found it necessary for the DNA cases that I’ve worked on. But I wanted to watch Part 2 because I’m always interested in learning more just in case some aspect of painting would ultimately help me. This video teaches how to import segments from 23andme, FtDNA, MyHeritage, and GedMatch and because it leads into the next session, which I was really interested in, I watched this one.

DNA Painter Part 3: The Inferred Segment Generator

So Part 3 continues where Part 2 left off, but I was interested in this session about inferred segment generating as a possible means to help me with all the DNA data I have from other family members.

I will also be watching Tanner’s videos about Visual Phasing when I get an opportunity. That’s why it’s so important to add the videos you want to watch to your Playlist. If you want to understand how to do that, you can read it on my blog, Getting Ready for RootsTech 2022.

I have a few other DNA videos on my Playlist, and they are Adventures of an Amateur Genetic Genealogist given by Geoff Nelson as well as the sixteen presentations given by Mr. DNA Painter himself, Jonny Perl, as well as the eight presentations given by Diahan Southard from DNA Helper.

When Harry Met Dotty – using DNA to break down brick walls

When Harry Met Dotty – using DNA to break down brick walls is a presentation given by Nick David Barratt. This is a story where DNA helps Nick discover who his grandmother’s father was. This was a fascinating presentation that uses DNA and genealogy research to come to a conclusion.

Genealogy

Leaving Liverpool

Leaving Liverpool is given by Dr. Penny Walters, and I wanted to watch this session for a couple of reasons. My family was from Liverpool, although not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I found the information about how they traveled to be quite interesting, and I could imagine my own family paying the money they spent, and I learned what food they would have been provided.

I say my family wasn’t a part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but in my DNA tree, I have a line that arrives in Utah, and the connection is to Oxfordshire so I wanted to learn more about that aspect of things.

1. Your Ancestor’s FAN Club: Using Cluster Research to Get Past Brick Walls

Your Ancestor’s FAN Club: Using Cluster Research to Get Past Brick Walls presented by Drew Smith. This is actually a two-part series. I wanted to look at these sessions to see if I could get any tips that might help me with my personal brickwalls. This was a great session about the people in your ancestors’ FAN Club.

2. Your Ancestor’s FAN Club: Using Cluster Research to Get Past Brick Walls

The second part of Your Ancestor’s FAN Club continues where we left off in part one. Using case studies, we can see how we can put the ideas into action.

What are your favorite sessions? I’d like to hear your recommendations.