Hi, I’m Dana! I’m a professional genealogist who specializes in genetic genealogy education and research. My journey began in 1998 when I first started researching my family tree, and in 2016, I discovered the fascinating world of DNA testing. By early 2018, I’d solved my first unknown parentage case, which deepened my passion for this field.

In 2018, I created the Leeds Method—a visual approach to organizing DNA matches into distinct groups—which has helped countless individuals identify their biological ancestors and break through brick walls in their research. I’m touched by how the genealogy community has embraced this method, with several programmers going on to automate it through tools like Genetic Affairs’ AutoCluster and DNAGedcom’s Collins’ Leeds Method.

It’s been my privilege to be invited to speak at prestigious events including GRIP, SLIG, CeCe Moore’s i4GG Conference, RootsTech, and the East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference. I love breaking down complex concepts into simple, understandable terms for both beginners and experienced genealogists alike.

In 2023, I began exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance our genealogy research, and I’m excited about its potential to improve how we analyze DNA data and uncover family connections.

Want to learn more about the Leeds Method or automated clustering tools? Check out the “Leeds Method” tab on this site. And don’t forget to visit my blog, where I share insights about both genetic and traditional genealogy research. I’m always excited to help fellow genealogists on their journey of discovery!