Explore Your Ethnic Roots with MyHeritage's Improved DNA Ethnicity Model, v2.5

Ethel Vol, MyHeritage Webinars
Mar 18, 2025
515 views
Free
CC

About this webinar

Learn about MyHeritage's improved DNA ethnicity model, v2.5.

About the speakers

Ethel Vol is a Bioinformatician at MyHeritage. She has an MSc. in Genetics and Bioinformatics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is a member of the DNA Science team which expands the company...
Learn more...
MyHeritage is the leading global destination for discovering, preserving and sharing family history. Our platform and DNA kits make it easy for anyone, anywhere to embark on a meaningful journey into ...
Learn more...

Key points and insights

This MyHeritage webinar, led by bioinformatician Ethel Vol, explored the latest advancements in DNA ethnicity analysis, focusing on MyHeritage's new Ethnicity Estimate version 2.5. The webinar provided valuable insights into how genetic data is analyzed to determine ethnic origins and how these advancements offer users a more detailed and accurate understanding of their ancestral roots.

The webinar illuminated several key aspects of modern DNA ethnicity research and MyHeritage's innovative approach:
  • The MyHeritage Science Team employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating bioinformatics, population genetics, large-scale computing, and AI to analyze DNA results and provide users with enhanced personal insights. This team is responsible for the four main products a user gets from MyHeritage: DNA Matches, Ethnicity Estimate, Genetic Groups, and Ancient Origins.
  • MyHeritage's new Ethnicity Estimate version 2.5 utilizes local ancestry inference, a significant advancement over previous global ancestry prediction methods. This sophisticated approach allows for a more detailed and accurate breakdown of ethnicities by analyzing specific DNA segments, providing a higher resolution of ancestral origins and reducing misleading results.
  • The updated ethnicity model significantly expands the number of identifiable ethnicities, from 42 to 79, including a more detailed breakdown of European ethnicities and the ability to distinguish between 15 different Jewish ethnicities. This enhancement offers users a deeper understanding of their heritage, as illustrated by examples where individuals with broad ethnicity estimates in previous models now receive more specific regional breakdowns.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of these advancements and how they can enrich genealogical research, view the full webinar which provides invaluable insights and practical guidance for anyone seeking to delve deeper into their ethnic origins and family history.

Comments (23)

Sort byNewest
  1. WV
    Webinar Viewer
    10 months ago

    Lots of interesting clarification on the new ethnicity updates

  2. WV
    Webinar Viewer
    10 months ago

    Good. Depends on the ability and previous knowledge of the subjects of course, by the viewer.

  3. WV
    Webinar Viewer
    10 months ago

    Interesting background information on this update

  4. WV
    Webinar Viewer
    10 months ago

    Thank you for explaining the updates.

  5. WV
    Webinar Viewer
    10 months ago

    Very informative and easy to understand

  6. WV
    Webinar Viewer
    10 months ago

    DNA is still beyond my abilities...but I am gaining ground with each webinar, so I still have hope...lol.

  7. WV
    Webinar Viewer
    10 months ago

    All new information to me, so very interesting. Will check older webinars to expand.

  8. WV
    Webinar Viewer
    10 months ago

    Ethel was great, very clear and intersting talk. I learned a great deal today thank you.