Learn about the use of autosomal DNA matches to help trace challenging lineages and identify hitherto unknown ancestors from Joseph Klett, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Archives and President of The Hopewell Museum, in a virtual presentation on Wednesday, November 8 at 7pm.
He will draw from case studies to show how DNA results have guided and redirected his own research into 18th- and 19th-century New Jersey families, leading to the discovery of documentary sources. In one case study, DNA matches suggesting a common lineage through a shared surname led to the discovery of hitherto unknown ancestry in an altogether different family. In another case study, the lack of cousin matches in one branch of the family tree led to the realization that a presumed biological ancestor was in fact a step-ancestor.
About the speaker: Joe Klett has worked at New Jersey State Archives since 1983, and served as a trustee of the Genealogical Society of New Jersey from 1987 to 2023. A genealogist since age 12, he is descended from many early Hopewell and central New Jersey families.
Hopewell Public Library Speaker Series
Co-sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and The Hopewell Museum
- Attend the event in person in Fellowship Hall at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 80 West Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525. The in-person event is free and open to the public – No registration is required.
- Or attend the event online via Zoom – Click to register here for online only
