Writer and lecturer Diahan Southard to speak Oct. 14 during genealogy seminar

Nationally known writer and lecturer Diahan Southard will speak Oct. 14 during Tri-City Genealogical Society’s annual seminar.

Southard holds a degree in microbiology, has worked for the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation and is owner of Your DNA Guide.

She’s also the author of several genetic genealogy guides and is a regular contributor to Genealogy Gems and Genealogy Today.

The seminar is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Shalom United Church of Christ, 505 McMurray St., Richland. Registration opens at 8 a.m.

Cost is $40. Those who register by Sept. 30 will get a syllabus and lunch included. Registration after Sept. 30 won’t include a syllabus and lunch, although syllabi will be available at the door for $5.

The seminar will include talks on topics from making sense of DNA to organizing genetic genealogy.

It will be packed with useful information, said Art Kelly of the genealogy society.

“DNA tests can help you learn about your paternal and maternal ancestry. There are also tests that can help you determine whether you are of African, Asian, European or Native American descent. Some of the newer genetic tests can also provide some insight into possible inherited traits and disease risk,” he said.

The seminar also will include a large silent auction, and a genealogy book vender will be on site selling a variety of genealogy books.

To sign up, go to tricitygenealogicalsociety.org.

This story was originally published September 18, 2017 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Writer and lecturer Diahan Southard to speak Oct. 14 during genealogy seminar."