In her acclaimed new book, The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are (Abrams, 2020), award-winning journalist Libby Copeland investigates the rapidly evolving phenomenon of home DNA testing, uncovering the story of Alice Collins Plebuch, whose supposed Irish ancestry is overturned by a DNA test that indicates Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. On the 20th anniversary of home DNA testing for ancestry purposes, and with over 30 million Americans tested, the author will explore how this technology illuminates how we think about family, heritage, and ourselves. She will also discuss the implications of home DNA testing for Jewish genealogy, as well as the unique challenges of genetic genealogy for Ashkenazim.

The author was in conversation with Lauren Gilbert, Senior Manager for Public Services at the Center for Jewish History.

This program was supported by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

This program was presented on June 24, 2020.