You’ve imagined your success with DNA, finding those new cousins. Their trees pointing the way to that new ancestor you’ve searched for so long.
You can feel the elation of breaking down that brick wall you’ve been unable to scale.
It’s there, in your grasp.
Until you look at page after page of matches with no clue to how most are related, no shared surnames, and never enough time to do the steps you know you need to do to actually accomplish something.
Stop dreaming!
You can map out a plan to use the matches you have to point the way to success using DNA.
DNA can help you scale those brick walls but first, you have to stop driving around in circles.
It took me two years to learn to use autosomal DNA.
It was two slow years wondering if I had wasted hundreds of dollars on testing multiple relatives.
Finally, I understood what I had to do to achieve DNA success.
But there was still a problem.
I was fortunate to have tested my great-aunt. Her ancestry represented my top research interests exactly. Working with her results was my primary goal.
Except her grandparents were second cousins. And that branch of her family had more than their fair share of cousin marriages and cases of siblings marrying into the same set of families.
You see, we're 100% southern. My entire family is from northwest Georgia, even. My great-aunt's ancestors lived in just two adjoining counties back to the mid-1800s.
If you have a similar situation, you probably know how difficult researching southern ancestry is.
My great-aunt was tested at AncestryDNA. She had a good number of attached public trees. I had some key matches respond to my queries, but only a few. I transferred her results to FTDNA and GEDmatch. Several of her matches even uploaded their results to GEDmatch at my request.
I was still stuck, though. I tried everything that was recommended.
I could make some progress but I always needed more trees and more people to upload to GEDmatch.
I was desperate to identify some key segments of shared DNA so I could test specific hypotheses. But none of the matches I convinced to upload to GEDmatch ever seemed to share segments of DNA with each other. Sure, they matched some segments... of matches without trees!
I was sick of relying on chance to have the trees I needed or to get a response from one particular match.
Here were thousands of matches to work with. This was ridiculous.
I decided I needed to identify just the matches related to ONE particular problem. Then I'd actually have more matches to work with. That is more matches for that one problem but fewer to focus on at one time.
AncestryDNA had the most matches and the most trees. The problem was that entwined southern ancestry!
I couldn't tell which matches were likely to help with one branch of my great-aunt's paternal tree. I couldn't find any matches clearly for her maternal branches.
After months, I finally created what I now call the "4 Buckets Technique." This is a type of color-clustering but it's ideal for people with southern ancestry.
Using the 4 Buckets Technique, I can separate matches to the most likely branch they belong to, even if it's a branch with lots of intermarriages. I know which matches to focus on and what to do to make progress on that goal.
In other words, I have a map to my chosen destination.
Have you ever wanted customized help with your genealogy? Have you seen the price tag? And having someone do the work for you takes all the fun out it.
Your 90-day Roadmap combines a customized "bucketing" of your results with group training so you get the best of "done-for-you" and "do-it-yourself." This retains the fun and reduces the cost all while holding you accountable so you can finally make progress using your DNA results.
Rather than teach you what to do, you'll actually do simple tasks that will lead to DNA success.
Most genealogists love to learn but at some point, you want to actually do genealogy.
Your 90-day Roadmap takes advantage of your innate love of, well, doing genealogy, to help you achieve DNA success.
You'll have trainings to help you learn necessary skills but more importantly, you'll know what to actually do.
When you take a course and try to apply it, you often hit a roadblock. The first time you try a complex solution, you often have questions. If you've got a busy schedule, or even just lots of interesting ancestors to distract you, the "tough stuff" can create a full stop.
Your 90-day Roadmap is a unique program because the "tough stuff" is done for you. You also have 1-on-1 chats and email support to give you the professional assistance you need to keep going and find success.
It takes time to use DNA but you can make progress almost immediately.
When you define a goal and constrain it by time, it's so much easier to achieve.
Instead of having a vague idea you need to keep doing something with your DNA results, you'll have a flexible schedule to keep you on track and accountable.
In 90-days you could sit down and know exactly what you need to do to make progress towards your chosen goal!
This session is limited to people who have tested at AncestryDNA. I'll only be bucketing AncestryDNA results.
This program is recommended for people with U.S. ancestry. I'll be looking at your family tree and my expertise is U.S. research.
You have to have a family tree. Your 90-day Roadmap is designed for genealogists with some known ancestry. Although the 4 Buckets Technique can be used for adoptees or anyone with missing branches in their tree, Your 90-day Roadmap uses your family tree to create your "roadmap."
That's the professional bucketing of your AncestryDNA results with written suggestions, two 1-on-1 chats, email support, and lifetime access to the trainings.
1 AncestryDNA test "bucketed"
The heart of Your 90-day Roadmap is the 4 Buckets Technique. Working with the buckets for one test is what your "roadmap" is all about.
You could spend weeks learning how to bucket your matches and slowly doing it by hand. Instead, I've decided to do this crucial step for you and focus on helping you create your plan of what to do next.
This is different than other learning experiences where you've focused on learning a technique with generic instruction and then you're on your own.
We'll chat twice to make sure you're on course and ready to make progress. Once will be before the bucketing and the second time will be part of the delivery of your results.
The chats will be recorded so you can review them.
In addition, you also get email support, the group training, and a private Facebook group so you can get support from each other.
If you want evern more 1-on-1 support, there is an upgrade option. Learn about it here.
You'll get training in a variety of formats including online lectures, hands-on activities, and simple handouts.
Module 1: Action review, you've already got some information you need. Let's get it together!
Module 2: The 4 Buckets Technique done for you, while you wait, spiffy up your genetic genealogy skills.
Module 3: Map out your path to DNA success, customize your "map" and get going!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join?
Your 90-day Roadmap isn't open for enrollment just yet. I'm running a beta program currently to address any potential issues. Get on the mailing list to find out when the program officially launches, here.
Am I going to break down a brick wall or find a new ancestor in 90-days?
Probably not, but you never know. In 90-days you are going to create your personalized "roadmap." Your outcome is completely unique to you and your DNA test. Just like with any other type of genealogical service, it's impossible to promise a particular type of discovery.
Who will get the most out of this program?
That's easy! Students who participate.
I'm not calling this a "class" because it's about what you do, not what you learn.
We all need a little help sometimes and this is that little bit of professional help you want. It's more than coaching but not as much as "done-for-you" research. However, that means your success is directly related to your participation and what you do during and after the program.
What if I want more help? Is that available?
Yes! There is an option to add more 1-on-1 coaching or you can email me about additional upgrades including if you want a done-for-you service.
or
This session is limited to people who have tested at AncestryDNA. I'll only be bucketing AncestryDNA results.
This program is recommended for people with U.S. ancestry. I'll be looking at your family tree and my expertise is U.S. research.
You have to have a family tree. Your 90-day Roadmap is designed for genealogists with some known ancestry. Although the 4 Buckets Technique can be used for adoptees or anyone with missing branches in their tree, Your 90-day Roadmap uses your family tree to create your "roadmap."
That's the professional bucketing of your AncestryDNA results with written suggestions, two 1-on-1 chats, email support, and lifetime access to the trainings.