Webinar: Disconnected Connections: a Case Study of Family Lore and an MPE
Speaker: Debbie Wilson Smyth
When: Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11:00am Eastern
Program Description:
In genealogical circles, the acronym MPE stands for a misattributed parentage event. A misattributed parentage event encompasses those situations where parentage has been attributed to the wrong person. For example, learning that daddy wasn’t really the biological father. Finding an MPE can be an unexpected or upsetting matter. Truth is, those times when family lore, DNA and documents diverge happens more frequently than we think. This presentation will begin with a discussion on DNA testing, identifying a misattributed parentage event, exploring some research strategies, and considering the ethics involved. It concludes with a case study to explore my own personal MPE finding, my research process, and the ethics involved.
Speaker Bio:
Debbie Wilson Smyth has been researching her family since 1993 and holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. As the owner of Oak Trails Genealogy Services, LLC, she provides professional genealogical services in research, education, and consultation. Her research focuses on midwestern and southern states, methodology, lineage society applications, and DNA. Debbie is the President of the Suncoast Genealogy Society and has served on its Board of Directors. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, as well as a number of national, state, and local societies.
VGA Members can register for this webinar via the Zoom link in the Upcoming Webinars area of the Members Center. Please contact info@virtualgenealogy.org if you have any questions.
