Organizing Your DNA Results (2025 update)

In this engaging Legacy Family Tree Webinar, genetic genealogy expert Diahan Southard presents practical and inspiring strategies for managing and interpreting DNA results more effectively in family history research. “Organizing Your DNA Results: The 2025 Update” focuses on turning genetic data into actionable insights by using color-coding, labeling, and organization techniques that simplify complex match lists. Blending methodical instruction with personal storytelling, Southard empowers genealogists to approach their DNA results with confidence, clarity, and purpose—reminding viewers that DNA isn’t just data; it’s a bridge to identity, family connection, and discovery.

Key Takeaways:

• Transform Labels into Filters, Not Files: Southard introduces a mindset shift for organizing DNA matches—labels should function as filters to reveal patterns and connections rather than as static filing systems. Through strategic color coding (cool colors for paternal, warm for maternal lines), genealogists can quickly recognize familial patterns and identify both endogamy and potential breakthroughs.

• Recognize and Prioritize “Best Mystery Matches”: Southard defines three levels of DNA relationships—matches to date (no trees yet), go steady (partial trees worth expanding), and marry (fully confirmed relatives). This playful framework guides researchers in allocating time efficiently and progressing toward solid genealogical conclusions.

• Use Tools Like the DNA Painter Matrix for Clarity: Demonstrating the power of Jonny Perl’s DNA Painter Matrix tool, Southard shows how visualizing shared centimorgans among multiple matches helps reveal likely relationships. The approach transforms complex data into organized hypotheses ready for genealogical verification.

Throughout the webinar, Southard emphasizes that DNA organization is about more than efficiency—it’s about uncovering stories that bring peace, reconciliation, and understanding within families. Her moving account of a viewer’s discovery that reshaped a family’s identity underscores the profound personal impact of organized DNA work.

To experience the full depth of Southard’s methods—including live demonstrations, visual examples, and detailed explanations—view the complete webinar in the Legacy Family Tree Webinar Library. The presentation is an invaluable resource for anyone eager to refine their genetic genealogy process and discover more meaningful family connections.

For further learning, genealogists are encouraged to explore the additional resources and handouts included in the webinar syllabus, which offer step-by-step guides, recommended tools, and extended reading from Your DNA Guide and related educational materials.