Founder of Your DNA Guide

Diahan Southard

Diahan Southard has been helping people use DNA to explore their roots for over 20 years. She started her career at the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, which created the DNA database that became AncestryDNA. After witnessing the power of DNA for family history–and the difficulties people face in using it effectively–she launched a pioneering career in DNA education.

Over the last 20 years Diahan has given hundreds of lectures on DNA from Burbank to Oslo, London to Seattle, to crowds of tens to thousands. Diahan’s talents for making DNA accessible, exciting and relevant are on full display as host of the PBS special, Your DNA Secrets Revealed. Diahan teaches on global platforms such as RootsTech, GenealogyTV and Legacy Tree Webinars. She appears on popular genealogy podcasts and is a DNA columnist for Family Tree Magazine.

All Sessions and Languages


Thumbnail for DNA Swim School – Part 1: Floating with One DNA Match

DNA Swim School – Part 1: Floating with One DNA Match

Diahan Southard

Thumbnail for DNA Swim School – Part 2: Treading Water with Your Matches

DNA Swim School – Part 2: Treading Water with Your Matches

Diahan Southard

Thumbnail for The Search Party Clues Strategy: Stop the Guessing, Start the Case

The Search Party Clues Strategy: Stop the Guessing, Start the Case

Janet Hovorka, Diahan Southard, Crista Cowan

Thumbnail for DNA Swim School – Part 3: Swimming Toward Your Ancestors

DNA Swim School – Part 3: Swimming Toward Your Ancestors

Diahan Southard

Thumbnail for How Just One Match Can Help You Find Missing Ancestors in 2025
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