[Gramps-users] How to capture genetic data?

[s***@verizon.net]

Hi group,

I have a Gramps "genetealogy" question that I hope one of our resident
DNA experts can answer. I Have joined projects for both y-DNA and mtDNA
and received haplogroup and haplotype data for the DNA tests. Now, the
question is, what do I do with it? How can I integrate this data into my
current family tree so that it provides useful information? I've read
the Gramps wiki page a have some ideas but...

The first obvious problem is that Gramps is not specially designed to
track DNA data. However, Gramps does allow personal attributes so I have
created an attribute for haplogroup and whether the haplogroup is
confirmed (tested) or whether it is inferred from testing of another
person. As an example: "Y-DNA Hg -> I-M253, confirmed." Using this
notation I can filter for persons of specific haplogroups and also
whether tested. Of course I can cite supporting sources (eg, test
results) as with any event.

But I am not sure this notation is adequate or meets future needs. I can
see where it would be nice to identify the Most Recent Common Ancestor
(MRCA) but I don't see a means of notation that will usefully point to
the MRCA. I've tried building an Association but I haven't been able to
make that work adequately. Nor do I see a filter that will allow me to
find the MRCA of two persons but one can probably be constructed.

I would appreciate it if anyone can help with these or other potential
issues I haven't identified. I've looked on-line with a lot of confusion
and not much success. There seems to be little info about what or how
data should be collected.

Best regards,
Sturdy2

[Peter]

Post by s***@verizon.net
I have a Gramps "genetealogy" question that I hope one of our resident
DNA experts can answer. I Have joined projects for both y-DNA and mtDNA
and received haplogroup and haplotype data for the DNA tests. Now, the
question is, what do I do with it? How can I integrate this data into my
current family tree so that it provides useful information?

You raise some very valid questions. I too have a variety of Y-DNA and
mtDNA haplogroup information that I collected from various relatives.
I have not yet begun to enter them into Gramps in any way, but clearly
I should at some point. Establishing how that should best be done in
Gramps is an excellent question.

Peter

[s***@verizon.net]

Hi Peter,

I just found your comment caught in my spam filter. Well, at least there
are two of us I have seen earlier comments so there are probably more
with the same questions. I had hoped that somebody would share how they
use Gramps features that are currently available. If I knew more about
genetic data collection, I would post a feature request.

Regards,
Sturdy2

[Nick Hall]

Post by s***@verizon.net
The first obvious problem is that Gramps is not specially designed to
track DNA data. However, Gramps does allow personal attributes so I have
created an attribute for haplogroup and whether the haplogroup is
confirmed (tested) or whether it is inferred from testing of another
person. As an example: "Y-DNA Hg -> I-M253, confirmed." Using this
notation I can filter for persons of specific haplogroups and also
whether tested. Of course I can cite supporting sources (eg, test
results) as with any event.
But I am not sure this notation is adequate or meets future needs. I can
see where it would be nice to identify the Most Recent Common Ancestor
(MRCA) but I don't see a means of notation that will usefully point to
the MRCA. I've tried building an Association but I haven't been able to
make that work adequately. Nor do I see a filter that will allow me to
find the MRCA of two persons but one can probably be constructed.

I don't use Gramps to record DNA information, but as you haven't had
much of a response I thought I would add a comment.

Using person attributes is a good idea. A key of "Y-DNA Hg" and a value
such as "I-M253" seems a reasonable approach.

Do you need to include "confirmed" in the value? By attaching a source
to the attribute you are indicating the result is confirmed. Inferred
data will either lack a source or have a different source.

You could write a tool to find the MRCA. A gramplet might be useful to
display DNA details.

Perhaps it would be useful to write a GEP. You could still prototype a
solution using attributes.


Nick.

[s***@verizon.net]

Hi Nick and thanks for the comments.

Post by Nick Hall
Do you need to include "confirmed" in the value? By attaching a source
to the attribute you are indicating the result is confirmed. Inferred
data will either lack a source or have a different source.

Actually, I have done that. I used _Y-DNA hg -> I-M253, confirmed_ with
the idea that I can easily filter on both sides of the comma. I began by
including test date and test provider but decided that was not really
relevant to any processing that might be required. That info is
available in the cited source.

Post by Nick Hall
You could write a tool to find the MRCA. A gramplet might be useful to
display DNA details.

I'm afraid that is beyond my level of understanding. I'm not even sure
such a tool would be useful unless the MCRA and pedigree stretch back
many centuries (probably not likely for most Gramps users). It is
relatively easy to look at a pedigree chart and determine MRCA in the
last two or three centuries so it might be more useful to manually
record the MRCA (somehow) with links to the pair of individuals with the
matching haplotypes.

Post by Nick Hall
Perhaps it would be useful to write a GEP. You could still prototype a
solution using attributes.

A GEP would probably be helpful but I need to know more about functional
requirements. At this time I don't see a need for any real processing
such as identifying a MRCA. A couple of DNA specific reports are no
doubt needed. I'm thinking a spreadsheet might be more useful for most
purposes. All of this still requires much more thought...

Sturdy

[Nick Hall]

Post by s***@verizon.net

Post by Nick Hall
Perhaps it would be useful to write a GEP. You could still prototype a

Post by Nick Hall
solution using attributes.

A GEP would probably be helpful but I need to know more about functional
requirements. At this time I don't see a need for any real processing
such as identifying a MRCA. A couple of DNA specific reports are no
doubt needed. I'm thinking a spreadsheet might be more useful for most
purposes. All of this still requires much more thought...

Alternatively, we could just add to the existing wiki page.

https://www.gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php?title=Genetics

I would suggest the following:

1. A filter to return people inheriting the same Y chromosome.
2. A gramplet to display the "Y-DNA Hg" attribute for all people
sharing a Y chromosome with the active person.

This would enable you to infer a haplogroup from another person's DNA
results, and to detect any mismatches in results.

What format do the DNA results take? Do you get any other information
apart from the haplogroup?


Nick.

[s***@verizon.net]

Hi Nick,

Sorry for the delay but your comment got lost. This is really quite
complex and I need to think about this a little. I'll come back shortly.

Sturdy

Post by Nick Hall

Post by s***@verizon.net

Post by Nick Hall
Perhaps it would be useful to write a GEP. You could still prototype a

Post by Nick Hall
solution using attributes.

A GEP would probably be helpful but I need to know more about functional
requirements. At this time I don't see a need for any real processing
such as identifying a MRCA. A couple of DNA specific reports are no
doubt needed. I'm thinking a spreadsheet might be more useful for most
purposes. All of this still requires much more thought...

Alternatively, we could just add to the existing wiki page.
https://www.gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php?title=Genetics
1. A filter to return people inheriting the same Y chromosome.
2. A gramplet to display the "Y-DNA Hg" attribute for all people
sharing a Y chromosome with the active person.
This would enable you to infer a haplogroup from another person's DNA
results, and to detect any mismatches in results.
What format do the DNA results take? Do you get any other information
apart from the haplogroup?
Nick.
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