The DNA Skills Workshop brings the best aspects of her classes and webinars into an extended, hands-on format where you’ll learn in an interactive setting, work on real-life examples, follow up (live!) with your questions, and work on MORE examples to be sure your learning experience is complete and thorough. It won’t just be a fun-but-onetime event, but rather a series of progressive, hands-on tutorials and experiences. Plus, Diahan will be checking your progress to make sure you are learning all the things you need to.

You’re ready for the DNA Skills Workshop if you have the following:

You’ve got autosomal DNA test results, preferably from AncestryDNA (and you’ve got access to the Pro Tools) or it could also work well with MyHeritage DNA (if you’ve got access to the advanced DNA tools).

You’ve spent some time exploring your results–you’re at least an advanced beginner with DNA–and you’re super curious/motivated to learn MORE.

You have appropriate goals in mind, such as 1) see how genetic evidence supports your genealogical research 2) identify a mystery match and/or 3) pursue a brick wall ancestor at the 3x great grandparent level or closer. (If you don’t have a missing ancestor in that timeframe, but you want to learn the process, you can pretend you do not know an ancestor).

Ideally, you want to have some DNA matches within the range of whatever question you’re trying to answer. For example, to identify a close birth relative (parent or sibling), you should have DNA matches who share 1200+ cM with you. If you don’t, then you will still be able to learn about your extended family, but you may not be able to identify a parent yet. Similarly, if you want to find your 2X great grandparents, you will need 3rd-4th cousin matches. If you do not have the matches you need, you can still make progress in your research, but you may not find that missing ancestor right away.

You have time to dive in. Plan for about 6+ hours a week (honestly, most students get so excited they spend even more time because it's actually fun!).

The curriculum of the Skills Workshop is the same for both.

The biggest distinguishing factors (other than cost) are how you want to learn and inclusion of the WATO and Skilled Matches of Matches courses (with coach support).

With All-In Skills, you will have tons of support from our expert coaches: both one-on-one and group coaching sessions. You will have several live Q&A sessions to give you more structured milestone check-ins and interactive support. There are scheduled breaks, but the pace is consistent and you will want to commit to keep up with the material. You will also have fully-supported WATO Course and Shared Matches of Matches Course experiences with live Q&A sessions and integration of the use of these strategies and tools in the context of your Skills education.

Only All-in Skills comes with the Skills Swag Box. It includes a print edition of Your DNA Guide–the Book and sturdy bookmark; full-color, print edition of the DNA Skills Workshop Workbook; the Plan tri-fold summary brochure; highlighter and Your DNA Guide pen; and a soft, sturdy Your DNA Guide tote bag to hold all these goodies. These are delivered around the world, wherever shipping capabilities allow (we may need a little time to get these to you outside the United States).

DIY Skills still requires dedication and a time investment. Without set check-ins, you will need to manage your own time. You do have access to the expert coaches on the chat boards for questions about what you're learning, but you won't have that one-on-one live interaction included with All-In. If you want to complete the course by the one live Q&A session, you will need to do it in 10 weeks (which is absolutely possible).

A final difference between the two is that DIY students keep access to their course for 6 months, while All-In Skills Students keep access for a full year.

By the time the Workshop starts, you should already have autosomal DNA test results in hand. You’ll need them because this is a hands-on learning experience. Optimally, you’ll be working with your own DNA test results, but you can also use someone else’s, as long as you have their permission and the login access.

The cost and ordering of DNA testing itself is not included in the course. See Workshop prerequisites below about a testing company recommendation.

Let's break it down.

DIY Skills: We recommend that you pace yourself to complete the Workshop materials in 10 weeks, after which time there will be a live Q&A to address any lingering questions you have. That said, you'll have access to the course for a full six months, during which time you'll have access to coaches on our online chat board to answer questions pertaining to the Workshop material. After six months, your access to Workshop materials ends, including video tutorials, other recordings, and chat boards. You will keep your digital editions of Your DNA Guide--the Book and the Skills Workbook.

All-In Skills: You will be given a coach- supported schedule and pacing to complete the Skills Workshop in nine weeks, followed by a break week, then four weeks each for supported, active learning in the SMoM and WATO courses. You will be given generous windows for scheduling individual coaching sessions during these weeks. After that season of active learning, coaches will continue to monitor online chat boards for a total of six months (since Workshop start date). You will have access to All-In Skills Workshop materials, including video tutorials, other recordings and chat boards, for a full year. You will keep your copies of Your DNA Guide--the Book and the workbooks for Skills, SMoMs and WATO. 

Both DIY and All-In Skills students should plan to spend at least 5 hours per week watching prerecorded video tutorials, working on case studies and homework and solving your own DNA mysteries. Some people may work more quickly than others, and some may want to dive deeper than others. That part is up to you. About 60% of Skills participants report spending more than 5 hours a week on the course, and some report spending more than 10 hours.

Your live-session schedule will depend on whether you enroll in DIY Skills or All-In Skills.

DIY Skills has one live Q&A session on Monday, March 30 from 2:00-3:00 pm ET.

All-in Skills has a live, one-hour Kick-off meet-and-greet session on Tuesday, February 3, and live one-hour Q&A sessions on February 24, March 17, May 5, and June 2, all at 2:00 pm ET. All-in Skills also has a 2-hour live, case study session on April 8 at 2:00 pm ET.

All-in Skills students will be given more information about scheduling their 30-minute one-on-one coaching sessions after enrolling; these may be scheduled during generous windows of time during the Workshop, according to the availability of our coaches.

Life happens, even with the best intentions! While it will probably be more fun to attend live, don’t worry if something comes up. These sessions will be recorded.

Recordings will be made available in your personal courses page for the duration of the course access period (six month for DIY and one year for All-In).

Because the recordings are available, refunds will not be granted due to unexpected changes in your schedule. (See our refund policy.)

Each Workshop takes place online. You’ll need a fast, reliable internet connection for learning sessions and for additional learning on your own time.

Those who have tested at AncestryDNA and have access to the Pro tools will likely have the most rewarding experience (both because of the advanced DNA analysis tools and its large database of testers).

For your individual coaching session, you will need to be able to access your family tree and DNA results on a device with a microphone and camera (and know how to use them). You’ll need access to your DNA test results on whatever testing site you’re using.

Your primary textbook is Your DNA Guide—the Book . If you take DIY Skills, you'll receive the eBook edition. If you take All-In Skills, you’ll receive both the print and eBook editions. You’ll also receive a Skills workbook and additional reference materials that support your learning.

We are pleased to support various third party payment plan options on our checkout page!

All payment plan options are from third party companies. Your payment plan availability and amount may vary based on your personal financial situation or your place of residence. Please explore these options thoroughly in order to make the decision that fits your budget best. If you are not familiar with these companies, please check out their websites. If you have any questions about these options, please contact them directly for assistance.

If you've already enrolled in the WATO Course or the Shared Matches of Matches (SMoMs) Course, you'll receive $50 off your purchase of All-In Skills experience, which comes with both of those Courses. If you've purchased them both, you'll receive $100 off. This doesn't reflect the full price you paid for those Courses because this experience will be more coach-supported than the on-demand WATO or SMoMs Courses, plus there will be dedicated Q&A sessions for each of these AND you will be able to ask your coaches questions about that Course material if you choose during one of your one-on-one coaching sessions.

If you purchase All-In Skills and you previously enrolled in WATO and/or SMoMs, email us at info@yourdnaguide.com and we'll adjust your payment to reflect your discount. There is no corresponding discount for DIY Skills, which does not include access to these courses.