The Chavis surname is prevalent in central and eastern North Carolina. In Wake County, the surname is found early in Granville, Wake and Orange counties as well as other parts of North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. If you have the Chavis surname in your direct ancestor line, you may be interested in this DNA Surname Project that was recently mentioned in the Conference Keeper Newsletter. An excerpt follows: IS THERE A CHAVIS IN YOUR TREE? If you have the surname Chavis in your family tree, you may apply for free DNA testing at Family Tree DNA for the CHAVIS surname group project. Contact Sabine Preston at Tamesabine@gmail.com with subject Chavis testing and send family history or tree. Details of this and two other DNA projects offering free testing can be found on our Awards, Grants & Scholarships page.   The original text is shared in the newsletter linked here . This background for the Chavis family is featured on the Family Tree DNA Chavis surname page. Here ar...

  This post is one I originally wrote for the  Fall 2020 issue of the Wake Genealogy Watch newsletter . The topics are still pretty fresh. I hope you find something useful here.  - Cyndi Deal DNA for genealogy is a big topic and there are no shortcuts on the learning curve, but there is so much DNA education at our fingertips right now. With so many great genetic genealogy webinars available on line, why not sharpen your skill set?  (Bonus - All but two of these are free!) - CD Beginner  You Can Do DNA (series 2024) , presenter - Diahan Southard.   (Updated and expanded to a series in 2024.  Parts 1-4 are here, Part 5 can be viewed on YouTube) New to DNA? Start here. This covers test types, test companies, testing strategies, best explanation of ethnicity estimates ever, and basic concepts in a very beginner friendly format.  What Exactly is a Centimorgan? An Introduction to the Science of DNA Testing , presenter - Ran Snir.   W...

Traditional Research  Elizabeth Shown Mills is the one to follow. A legend in the field, she brings a wealth of ideas and know how to break through those brick walls. Catch her yearlong series at Legacy Webinars. If you are a subscription holder, you can access free. If not, this series alone is well worth the fee. You also want to follow her blog at  Evidence Explained.com. Genetic Genealogy Research Diahan Southard is the hottest ticket in this field right now. She is everywhere and with good reason. She has a long history in genetic research and an amazing way of distilling a very complex subject into easy to understand small bites. Her blog is full of clear explanations, examples and short videos. Watch for her free webinars offered throughout the year and invest in your skills with her fee based learning including a skills workshop, YDNA course, Endogamy course and one-on-one coaching. Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |...