“RootsTech 2026 – Diahan Southard – DNA Swim Class Part1 : Floating with One DNA Match”
Diahan Southard
11 Jul 2026
Categories: RT, IR
Talk Abstract:
Welcome to DNA Swim School! In this beginner-friendly session, we’ll help you get your footing—er, floating—by focusing on just one DNA match. If your match list feels like the deep end, this is your life jacket. We’ll show you how to set a simple, clear research goal, then guide you through how to choose a match that can help you take your first meaningful step. You’ll get a friendly walkthrough of your testing company’s match list tools (no goggles required!), so you know what all those menus, labels, and numbers are really telling you. This class is perfect if you’re brand-new to DNA or you’ve tested and then felt stuck. You’ll walk away more confident navigating your match list—and ready for your next swim lesson.
Speaker Bio:
Diahan Southard has been helping people use DNA to explore their roots for over 20 years. She started her career at the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, which created the DNA database that became AncestryDNA. After witnessing the power of DNA for family history–and the difficulties people face in using it effectively–she launched a pioneering career in DNA education.
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NOTICE:
This presentation is part of a set of over 400 presentations on genealogy and family history produced by "UVTAGG: The Utah Valley Technology and Genealogy Group".
For full details and to join, see the website https://uvtagg.org.