Putting Ancestors' SNPs on the Map by Rob Spencer

The monoparental SNPs that we use in genealogy -- simple mutations in Y and mitochondrial DNA -- occur at specific places and times, and as such mark out the paths that our ancestors followed from the Paleolithic to the present day. Four types of data can be used to infer SNP locations: ancient DNA samples, citations of ancestry from modern DNA testers, census data, and specific family history. In addition, archaeology and the SNP haplotrees provide historic context, dates, and connections, while mathemetical modeling connects the dots. In this presentation given on January 27, 2024, Rob Spencer discusses the methods, results, and limitations in SNP mapping, with examples, error analysis, common mistakes and fallacies, and future prospects.