Genetic genealogy has become a major component of genealogical research, confirming hundreds of years of documentation and breaking down brick walls. Yet, confirming new family and expanding one’s tree using Jewish Genetic Genealogy is a difficult task filled with many pitfalls. Many aren’t even sure where to begin when they first look at their DNA matches but success is still possible. This presentation will explore multiple case studies by Jarrett Ross in researching his own family history using genetic genealogy. Using different types of DNA tests and multiple techniques to identify significant DNA matches Jarrett was able to expand multiple branches of his tree and find lost cousins, for both his Ashkenazi and Sephardi ancestry. Come learn all the techniques used as Jarrett breaks down the process of each case study and what methods found success in his research. 

Jarrett Ross began researching his own family history in 2009 while finishing his undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Since then, he has built his own personal tree with tens of thousands of people, successfully connected with thousands of relatives all over the world, and has helped build hundreds of trees for people of varying ancestral backgrounds. Jarrett has developed multiple specialties including Genetic Genealogy, Sephardic Jewish research with an emphasis on the Portuguese Jewish Community of Amsterdam, Jewish Agricultural Societies of Southern New Jersey, Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry in Ukraine, and American Jewish history. Jarrett writes a blog called “Sephardic Genealogy” and also runs two YouTube channels; GeneaVlogger and Professional Genealogist Reacts. Jarrett currently works as the Lead Forensic Genetic Genealogist at DNA Labs International. Jarrett serves as a Board member for the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies and Vice President of the Triangle Jewish Genealogical Society.