Municipal Complex Ribbon Cutting

If you are interested in genealogy research, and are considering DNA testing as a tool to discover your family history, you will want to visit the Pell City Public Library on Wednesday, August 3 at noon.  That’s when the library will welcome special guest speaker and genealogist Bill Clement, who will present: “Jump in the Gene Pool:  Genetics and Your Family History.”  

Bill Clement is a member of the Birmingham Genealogical Society.  As a genealogist, he is a respected authority on a variety of genealogical topics and has made numerous presentations to groups, organizations and libraries. He is a graduate of the Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama, and earned a BS in Industrial Management from Clemson University, and a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Clement will delve into the subject of DNA testing and explain the how genetic research can be helpful in the exploration of family genealogical investigation.  He’ll explain the process, and how to best wade through the data you obtain to go forward in your research.  

DNA Analysis, or genetic genealogy is taking genealogical research to a whole new level.  The internet allows researchers to discover new relatives and ancestors through the sharing of  family trees online.  Now, even those without family tree information, may be linked to blood relatives through DNA testing.  So, what are the benefits of DNA testing for today’s genealogy researcher?  According to WorldFamilies.net, DNA testing can be beneficial in:

• Confirming relationships despite possible variations in surnames
• Focusing and limiting research to related families 
• Directing efforts to specific time frames and geographical areas
• Establishing an individual’s country or region of origin
• Helping to identify pre-surname migration
• Strengthening weak paper trails

So, if you are considering taking the plunge into Gene Pool research, get the details on how to go about it, how to interpret and use what you discover, and more on Wednesday, August 3 at noon, from genealogist Bill Clement at the Pell City Public Library.  The program is free, and is part of the library’s Adult Summer Reading Program. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.