Welcome To Waffle-Free FAMILY Stories!

This is the first in a series of wonderful conversations with people passionate about history, genetics, family history, memoirs, autobiographies and more.

In this chat with Michelle Leonard, DNA Detective, we talk about:

• How she got to be a DNA Detective!
• How her work using DNA gave World War 2 soldiers named graves
• How to read your DNA report
• Why you should think twice about doing a DNA test!
• The risks of taking your DNA test
• Her wild adventures uncovering her own family tree and those of her clients
• Most important... how she can help you use DNA to fill the gaps in your family tree.

Here's more about Michelle:

Michelle Leonard is a professional genealogist, DNA detective, speaker, author and historian. She runs her own genealogy and DNA consultancy business, Genes & Genealogy, and specialises in solving unknown parentage and all manner of unknown ancestor mysteries using a combination of DNA expertise and conventional research methods. She also undertakes traditional family history research, living relative tracing, historical and television research, podcasts, tutoring, lecturing, bespoke family history books, webinars, speaking engagements, course creation and article, blog and book writing commissions. Michelle is a very experienced public speaker and regularly speaks in person at major genealogy events as well as to international audiences via webinars and e-conferences for established providers such as Legacy Family Tree Webinars. She is also a co-author of "Tracing Your Ancestors Using DNA: A Guide For Family Historians" published by Pen & Sword in June 2019 and regularly writes articles for publications such as Family Tree Magazine (UK). Michelle has been a leading member of the genetic genealogy community in the UK and Ireland for many years and is widely regarded as one of the UK's most experienced DNA detectives. She has a wealth of practical experience with adoption, unknown parentage, MPE, foundling and unknown ancestor cases and has a proven track record of solving mysteries using a combination of DNA analysis and traditional research methods. Her first involvement with using DNA for genealogical purposes came over a decade ago when she worked on the ground-breaking Fromelles Genealogy Project tracking down appropriate DNA donors to identify WWI soldiers buried in a mass grave in France and served as the Genealogical Consultant on the official Fromelles documentary "WW1: Finding The Lost Battalions". Additionally, Michelle is the official genetic genealogist of ancestryhour.co.uk and is one of the hosts of the hour itself: #AncestryHour takes place on Twitter each Tuesday evening from 7-8 pm GMT and Michelle is usually on hand to answer #DNA queries that arise. Michelle holds an M.A. in English and Modern History from the University of St Andrews and a PgCert in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the Scottish Genealogy Network (SGN) and the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG). Links that will help you connect with Michelle:

• Facebook page for Genes & Genealogy
• GenealogyLass on Twitter
• Michelle on LinkedIn