DNA expert Gil Bardige to share genetic genealogy tips for the Feb 23, 2025, JGSI hybrid meeting

“Help! I Got My DNA Results and I’m Confused—Part 2.5—Next Steps…” will be the lecture topic of genetic genealogy expert Gil Bardige for the Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois hybrid meeting. His talk will begin at 2 p.m. Central Time via Zoom and at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois.

The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. Central Time for those who want to use genealogy library materials, get help with family history websites or ask genealogical questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m.

This presentation will offer proven methodologies to prioritize your DNA matches with the highest probability of finding a common relative on a family tree or the ones you should ignore and stop wasting your time.

Gil Bardige’s previous comprehensive talk for JGSI, given on Aug. 27, 2023, was titled “Help! I got my DNA Results and I’m Confused!—Part1.” His new talk, an intermediate-to-advanced-level presentation, is primarily for people with Jewish ancestry who have viewed Gil’s Part 1 talk and have run into new brick walls or want to productively expand their search parameters. Gil will provide you with actionable processes to use in your genealogy research, including new criteria for each DNA testing company.

Through case studies and examples, he will explain pileup areas and segment triangulation, and for those who have tested at Ancestry.com, Gil has added how he used Pro Tools, ThruLines and shared matches to find seven DNA matches that he would have missed without these techniques, and nearly four dozen new relatives to add to his tree.

Gil is a firm believer that you can use DNA results as a tool in your genealogical research to generate clues to help people confirm or deny genetic genealogy relationships.

Gil Bardige, born and raised in Chicago, lives in the Columbus, Ohio, area. A graduate of the New York Institute of Technology, Gil retired in 2019 after a long career in air conditioning and refrigeration, most recently as a National Business Development Leader for Trane.

Be sure to come to our in-person pre-meeting on Feb. 23, 2025, from 12:30 through 1:45 p.m.: Free consultations for JGSI members and non-members alike! Wondering how to begin your family tree search? Have a brickwall? Need assistance with a DNA test—which company to test with or need help interpreting results? Need help navigating a website such as Jewishgen? Need assistance in writing your family history? Several of our volunteer genealogy experts will be on hand to assist you.

Let us help. Prior to our scheduled 2 p.m. Sunday program at Temple Beth-El, we will meet from 12:30 until 1:45 to devote our attention to you and your situation. Located in the social hall, lower level.

The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. Central Time for those who want to use genealogy library materials, including our collection of maps; get help with family history websites, ask genealogical questions, or just chat, before the main program begins at 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; however, registration is strongly encouraged.

For more information about JGSI, visit our website. For more information about membership benefits, click here.