Leah Larkin
@thednageek.bsky.social
Genetic genealogist powered by cayenne🌶️, beer🍺, and purrs🐈⬛. Scientist, mom, partner, ally🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️. She/her.
Struggles with Smithville
The most frustrating unknown father case I've ever worked is "Midge" (not her real name). Midge has great matches! I even know the town her biological father was from. That's not the problem. The problem is that half the town are Smiths, they're all related, and…
The most frustrating unknown father case I've ever worked is "Midge" (not her real name). Midge has great matches! I even know the town her biological father was from. That's not the problem. The problem is that half the town are Smiths, they're all related, and…
Struggles with Smithville
The most frustrating unknown father case I've ever worked is "Midge" (not her real name). Midge has great matches! I even know the town her biological father was from. That's not the problem. The problem is that half the town are Smiths, they're all related, and "Smithville's" local pastime appears to be extramarital sex. Of Midge's top three paternal matches at AncestryDNA, two are MPEs.
thednageek.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Struggles with Smithville
The most frustrating unknown father case I've ever worked is "Midge" (not her real name). Midge has great matches! I even know the town her biological father was from. That's not the problem. The problem is that half the town are Smiths, they're all related, and…
The most frustrating unknown father case I've ever worked is "Midge" (not her real name). Midge has great matches! I even know the town her biological father was from. That's not the problem. The problem is that half the town are Smiths, they're all related, and…
If you've ever worked a case with closely related parents, you need to read this post now.
thednageek.com/revisiting-t...
thednageek.com/revisiting-t...
Revisiting the "Are Your Parents Related Tool" at GEDmatch - The DNA Geek
Most cultures have taboos against close relatives marrying (or mating with) one another. While some royal lineages historically used intra-family marriages…
thednageek.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:25 PM
If you've ever worked a case with closely related parents, you need to read this post now.
thednageek.com/revisiting-t...
thednageek.com/revisiting-t...
Revisiting the “Are Your Parents Related Tool” at GEDmatch
Most cultures have taboos against close relatives marrying (or mating with) one another. While some royal lineages historically used intra-family marriages to consolidate power, there are generally consequences. The practice is known to…
Most cultures have taboos against close relatives marrying (or mating with) one another. While some royal lineages historically used intra-family marriages to consolidate power, there are generally consequences. The practice is known to…
Revisiting the “Are Your Parents Related Tool” at GEDmatch
Most cultures have taboos against close relatives marrying (or mating with) one another. While some royal lineages historically used intra-family marriages to consolidate power, there are generally consequences. The practice is known to increase the risk of genetic problems in offspring. That’s because most genetic disorders only manifest when the individual has two copies of a “faulty” gene, one inherited from each parent.
thednageek.com
August 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Revisiting the “Are Your Parents Related Tool” at GEDmatch
Most cultures have taboos against close relatives marrying (or mating with) one another. While some royal lineages historically used intra-family marriages to consolidate power, there are generally consequences. The practice is known to…
Most cultures have taboos against close relatives marrying (or mating with) one another. While some royal lineages historically used intra-family marriages to consolidate power, there are generally consequences. The practice is known to…
Othram will now outsource forensic genetic genealogy to freelancers. At first glance, this poses massive privacy risks for criminal investigations, undercuts the professionalization of FGG via accreditation or certification, and shifts all of the liability onto the contractors.
totaltreecall.com
totaltreecall.com
TOTAL TREECALL - Build Trees. Crack Cases. Get Paid.
Get paid to solve genealogical mysteries and help build family trees for cold cases.
totaltreecall.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Othram will now outsource forensic genetic genealogy to freelancers. At first glance, this poses massive privacy risks for criminal investigations, undercuts the professionalization of FGG via accreditation or certification, and shifts all of the liability onto the contractors.
totaltreecall.com
totaltreecall.com
Do you have challenging or sensitive DNA results? On July 22, my friend & colleague Kate Penney Howard will teach how about these scenarios in her class "Dealing with Difficult DNA: Endogamy, High-RoH, and Other Hazards."
Register for one of two sessions—10 AM or 5 PM PDT—at tixoom.app/thednageek
Register for one of two sessions—10 AM or 5 PM PDT—at tixoom.app/thednageek
July 15, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Do you have challenging or sensitive DNA results? On July 22, my friend & colleague Kate Penney Howard will teach how about these scenarios in her class "Dealing with Difficult DNA: Endogamy, High-RoH, and Other Hazards."
Register for one of two sessions—10 AM or 5 PM PDT—at tixoom.app/thednageek
Register for one of two sessions—10 AM or 5 PM PDT—at tixoom.app/thednageek
Beyond the Stories: Verifying Native Ancestry Through History and DNA, with Aimee Rose Haynes
Enroll now at bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
Join guest speaker Aimee Rose Haynes to trace the path from family stories to verified Native American ancestry through historical records and tribal enrollment.
Enroll now at bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
Join guest speaker Aimee Rose Haynes to trace the path from family stories to verified Native American ancestry through historical records and tribal enrollment.
June 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Beyond the Stories: Verifying Native Ancestry Through History and DNA, with Aimee Rose Haynes
Enroll now at bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
Join guest speaker Aimee Rose Haynes to trace the path from family stories to verified Native American ancestry through historical records and tribal enrollment.
Enroll now at bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
Join guest speaker Aimee Rose Haynes to trace the path from family stories to verified Native American ancestry through historical records and tribal enrollment.
The End of an Era: Uploads at MyHeritage
MyHeritage is apparently securing their DNA database in response to the FBI using it in the Idaho murder investigation.
MyHeritage is apparently securing their DNA database in response to the FBI using it in the Idaho murder investigation.
The End of an Era: Uploads at MyHeritage
MyHeritage is apparently securing their DNA database in response to the FBI using it in the Idaho murder investigation.
thednageek.com
May 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The End of an Era: Uploads at MyHeritage
MyHeritage is apparently securing their DNA database in response to the FBI using it in the Idaho murder investigation.
MyHeritage is apparently securing their DNA database in response to the FBI using it in the Idaho murder investigation.
ALL-NEW class! Ethnicity estimates are popular, yet they are often maligned as inaccurate or even quack science. Are they reliable? Join me for a deep dive into the science behind ethnicity estimates to understand how they work and which are most accurate.
Register today! bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
Register today! bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
May 28, 2025 at 12:25 AM
ALL-NEW class! Ethnicity estimates are popular, yet they are often maligned as inaccurate or even quack science. Are they reliable? Join me for a deep dive into the science behind ethnicity estimates to understand how they work and which are most accurate.
Register today! bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
Register today! bit.ly/DNAGeekEvents
I came across this guide (from my kids’ elementary school) while going through some old papers. Some people never outgrow bullying, as my encounter at #rootstech2025 reminded me.
#ethicspanel #FIGG #meangirls
#ethicspanel #FIGG #meangirls
May 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I came across this guide (from my kids’ elementary school) while going through some old papers. Some people never outgrow bullying, as my encounter at #rootstech2025 reminded me.
#ethicspanel #FIGG #meangirls
#ethicspanel #FIGG #meangirls
How Are Our Databases Doing?
There are now more than 53 million tested DNA kits, and growth has been steady for the past 5 years.
There are now more than 53 million tested DNA kits, and growth has been steady for the past 5 years.
How Are Our Databases Doing?
There are now more than 53 million tested DNA kits, and growth has been steady for the past 5 years.
thednageek.com
April 23, 2025 at 11:25 PM
How Are Our Databases Doing?
There are now more than 53 million tested DNA kits, and growth has been steady for the past 5 years.
There are now more than 53 million tested DNA kits, and growth has been steady for the past 5 years.
Reposted by Leah Larkin
Q: "How do you respond to Governor Newsom?"
Sen. Van Hollen: "I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind...Anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead."
Sen. Van Hollen: "I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind...Anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead."
April 20, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Q: "How do you respond to Governor Newsom?"
Sen. Van Hollen: "I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind...Anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead."
Sen. Van Hollen: "I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind...Anybody who can't stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesn't deserve to lead."
Reposted by Leah Larkin
Reminder:
All
People
Had
To
Do
Was
Fill
In
A
Little
Oval
Next
To
The
Smart
Black
Lady’s
Name.
All
People
Had
To
Do
Was
Fill
In
A
Little
Oval
Next
To
The
Smart
Black
Lady’s
Name.
April 7, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Reminder:
All
People
Had
To
Do
Was
Fill
In
A
Little
Oval
Next
To
The
Smart
Black
Lady’s
Name.
All
People
Had
To
Do
Was
Fill
In
A
Little
Oval
Next
To
The
Smart
Black
Lady’s
Name.
Trump admits illegally deporting a legal resident “by mistake” and says he can’t bring the US resident home because he’s not in the US any longer.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
An ‘Administrative Error’ Sends a Maryland Father to a Salvadoran Prison
The Trump administration says that it mistakenly deported an immigrant with protected status but that courts are powerless to order his return.
www.theatlantic.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Trump admits illegally deporting a legal resident “by mistake” and says he can’t bring the US resident home because he’s not in the US any longer.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
“Ethnicity estimates” get a bad rap because the science is complex, but I love explaining it to laypeople! This new class (April 8 & 9) will help you understand your #DNA estimates & use them in your #geneticgenealogy work. Let's spark some lightbulbs!
Register: tixoom.app/thednageek
Register: tixoom.app/thednageek
March 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
“Ethnicity estimates” get a bad rap because the science is complex, but I love explaining it to laypeople! This new class (April 8 & 9) will help you understand your #DNA estimates & use them in your #geneticgenealogy work. Let's spark some lightbulbs!
Register: tixoom.app/thednageek
Register: tixoom.app/thednageek
“Preventing wars is cheaper than fighting them.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/o...
Opinion | Hillary Clinton: This Is Just Dumb (Gift Article)
The Signal group chat is only the latest in a string of self-inflicted wounds by the new administration.
www.nytimes.com
March 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
“Preventing wars is cheaper than fighting them.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/o...
Reposted by Leah Larkin
Right now, there’s an important race happening that will shape the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the next 10 years. Judge Susan Crawford is ready to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Wisconsinites.
Make a plan to vote early today — don’t wait until April 1st: wisdems.org/vote
Make a plan to vote early today — don’t wait until April 1st: wisdems.org/vote
Find Your Voting Locations | WISDEMS Voter Protection Team
This searchable map shows you early voting and dropbox info for hundreds of villages, towns, and cities across Wisconsin. Enter the address you're registered at and your options will pop up!
wisdems.org
March 25, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Right now, there’s an important race happening that will shape the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the next 10 years. Judge Susan Crawford is ready to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Wisconsinites.
Make a plan to vote early today — don’t wait until April 1st: wisdems.org/vote
Make a plan to vote early today — don’t wait until April 1st: wisdems.org/vote
23andMe Is Reorganizing. It’s Okay.
23andMe has declared bankruptcy, but now is not the time for genealogists to panic. As a publicly traded company, it will be many months before a resolution is clear. In the meantime, our data has the same protections as before.
23andMe has declared bankruptcy, but now is not the time for genealogists to panic. As a publicly traded company, it will be many months before a resolution is clear. In the meantime, our data has the same protections as before.
23andMe Is Reorganizing. It’s Okay.
23andMe has declared bankruptcy, but now is not the time for genealogists to panic. As a publicly traded company, it will be many months before a resolution is clear. In the meantime, our data has the same protections as before.
thednageek.com
March 25, 2025 at 11:19 PM
23andMe Is Reorganizing. It’s Okay.
23andMe has declared bankruptcy, but now is not the time for genealogists to panic. As a publicly traded company, it will be many months before a resolution is clear. In the meantime, our data has the same protections as before.
23andMe has declared bankruptcy, but now is not the time for genealogists to panic. As a publicly traded company, it will be many months before a resolution is clear. In the meantime, our data has the same protections as before.
Reposted by Leah Larkin
This OPSEC Special Bulletin went out to the Pentagon during the same time period that SECDEF was using an unauthorized Signal chat.
You can’t make this shit up.
You can’t make this shit up.
March 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
This OPSEC Special Bulletin went out to the Pentagon during the same time period that SECDEF was using an unauthorized Signal chat.
You can’t make this shit up.
You can’t make this shit up.
23andMe has filed for bankruptcy. Many have asked whether I plan to delete my kits. My answer is: not yet. Under CA law, we’ll have that right a week or month from now, so I am going to wait & see. Each of you should consider what’s best for you, your family, and your own comfort level.
March 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
23andMe has filed for bankruptcy. Many have asked whether I plan to delete my kits. My answer is: not yet. Under CA law, we’ll have that right a week or month from now, so I am going to wait & see. Each of you should consider what’s best for you, your family, and your own comfort level.
There’s a small army of genealogists who identify unknown soldiers’ remains so they can be returned to their families. The draft dodger fired them. Call your congresspeople and make some noise for our fallen heroes. #nosoldierleftbehind
March 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
There’s a small army of genealogists who identify unknown soldiers’ remains so they can be returned to their families. The draft dodger fired them. Call your congresspeople and make some noise for our fallen heroes. #nosoldierleftbehind
THROWBACK THURSDAY!
How important is your genetic privacy? Sometimes, the right DNA kit & a few simple steps can identify #health traits like #cysticfibrosis in complete strangers. This post can help you can make decisions about your #geneticprivacy.
buff.ly/4hYJ9cA
#health #chromosomebrowser
How important is your genetic privacy? Sometimes, the right DNA kit & a few simple steps can identify #health traits like #cysticfibrosis in complete strangers. This post can help you can make decisions about your #geneticprivacy.
buff.ly/4hYJ9cA
#health #chromosomebrowser
March 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
THROWBACK THURSDAY!
How important is your genetic privacy? Sometimes, the right DNA kit & a few simple steps can identify #health traits like #cysticfibrosis in complete strangers. This post can help you can make decisions about your #geneticprivacy.
buff.ly/4hYJ9cA
#health #chromosomebrowser
How important is your genetic privacy? Sometimes, the right DNA kit & a few simple steps can identify #health traits like #cysticfibrosis in complete strangers. This post can help you can make decisions about your #geneticprivacy.
buff.ly/4hYJ9cA
#health #chromosomebrowser
Will you be at RootsTech next week? I would love for you to stop by the BanyanDNA booth in the expo hall (#1425) to chat about DNA, genealogy, and all of the things!
Oh, and I've got swag. 😉
Oh, and I've got swag. 😉
March 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Will you be at RootsTech next week? I would love for you to stop by the BanyanDNA booth in the expo hall (#1425) to chat about DNA, genealogy, and all of the things!
Oh, and I've got swag. 😉
Oh, and I've got swag. 😉
THROWBACK THURSDAY!
This post is required reading for genetic genealogists. It explains how we estimate relationships from shared DNA and inspired DNA Painter's Shared cM Tool & What Are the Odds (WATO) as well as BanyanDNA.
buff.ly/3ENOe93
#DNA #BanyanDNA #DNApainter #genealogy #familymystery
This post is required reading for genetic genealogists. It explains how we estimate relationships from shared DNA and inspired DNA Painter's Shared cM Tool & What Are the Odds (WATO) as well as BanyanDNA.
buff.ly/3ENOe93
#DNA #BanyanDNA #DNApainter #genealogy #familymystery
The Limits of Predicting Relationships Using DNA
The one thing we genealogists probably want most from our autosomal DNA matches is something they can’t give us: an exact relationship prediction based on shared DNA alone. Unfortunately, wit…
buff.ly
February 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM
THROWBACK THURSDAY!
This post is required reading for genetic genealogists. It explains how we estimate relationships from shared DNA and inspired DNA Painter's Shared cM Tool & What Are the Odds (WATO) as well as BanyanDNA.
buff.ly/3ENOe93
#DNA #BanyanDNA #DNApainter #genealogy #familymystery
This post is required reading for genetic genealogists. It explains how we estimate relationships from shared DNA and inspired DNA Painter's Shared cM Tool & What Are the Odds (WATO) as well as BanyanDNA.
buff.ly/3ENOe93
#DNA #BanyanDNA #DNApainter #genealogy #familymystery