The information on this page was for our 2025 Seminar
We will update the page with information on our 2026 Seminar as soon as it is available.
WAGS 42nd Annual Seminar
Saturday, January 25, 2025
9:00 AM to 1:30 PM (PST)
Registration is now closed for our 2025 Seminar.
Our 2025 Seminar was a virtual program featuring three speakers, who will each speak on a different aspect of DNA.
Our featured speakers were Shannon Combs Bennett, Jennifer Zinck, and Diana Elder.
Each seminar session was recorded, and made available for viewing by all registered participants for a limited time following the seminar.
The cost for the Seminar was only $30 (US). In order to maintain our pricing, we only allowed online registration via credit card, debit card or PayPal. We were not be able to accept checks or cash payments.
SCHEDULE
| TIME * | SPEAKER | ACTIVITY/TOPIC |
| 08:30 AM | "Doors" Open / Social Time | |
| 09:00 AM | Kristina Newcomer | Welcome and Introduction |
| 09:15 AM | Shannon Combs Bennett | More Than How to Get from A to B: Creating a Research Plan with DNA Testing |
| 10:15 AM | Break | Social Time |
| 10:45 AM | Jennifer Zinck | DNA Cousins: Making the Most of Collaboration Tools and Techniques for Connecting with DNA Matches |
| 11:45 AM | Break | Lunch and Social Time |
| 12:15 PM | Diana Elder | Solving a Family Mystery with DNA |
| 01:15 PM | Kristina Newcomer | Door Prize Drawing |
| 01:30 PM | Kristina Newcomer | Closing |
| * All times are Pacific Standard Time |
2025 SEMINAR SPEAKERS & TOPICS
Shannon Combs Bennett - More Than How to Get From A to B: Creating a Research Plan With DNA Testing.
We are taught in Genealogy 101 to create research plans as part of a genealogist's toolbox. Research plans are a way to guide our research thoughtfully and methodologically to solve our genealogy questions. Most people consider that with books, websites, and paper research. Well, in the 21st Century, that now includes DNA testing. This presentation will demonstrate how to include genetic genealogy results, testing strategies, analysis, and proof arguments in your research plans.
Jennifer Zinck - DNA Cousins: Making the Most of Collaboration Tools & Techniques for Connecting with DNA Matches
Explore the unique challenges of finding lost relatives and discovering new ones using tried and true resources and techniques. Whether looking for more information about a DNA match or locating a potential test-taker, the internet has a plethora of resources for today's genealogist.'
Diana Elder - Solving a Family Mystery with DNA
Learn how combining traditional research with DNA evidence revealed an unknown grandfather in this compelling case study. Follow the project from the beginning steps of creating an objective to writing the conclusions. Discover the importance of a research log and careful tracking of sources. Finally, see how Y-DNA and autosomal DNA used in tandem with the documentary sources solved this family's mystery.