“See if you enjoy building family trees” - Naming the Dead star Rhonda shares how someone can be a part of their projects

Rhonda Kevorkian from Naming the Dead - Executive Director of Human Resources and Education at DNA Doe Project | Image via LinkedIn/ @RhondaKevorkian
Rhonda Kevorkian from Naming the Dead - Executive Director of Human Resources and Education at DNA Doe Project | Image via LinkedIn/ @RhondaKevorkian

Recently, Rhonda Kevorkian, star of Naming the Dead and Executive Director of Human Resources and Education at the DNA Doe Project, offered advice on how someone can start a career in this exciting profession.

In the field of investigative genealogy, a genuine contribution is frequently sparked by curiosity. She also emphasized that genealogy is about finding ties that can eventually help families find closure, not only about names and history.

"You might work on your own family tree and there are some great genealogy courses out there that you can get into and see if you enjoy building family trees."

Her perspective highlights the bigger goal of assisting in the reunion of unidentified people with their loved ones while also motivating newcomers to take small steps and perform doable actions.


Naming the Dead star Rhonda answers important questions related to the project

How to get involved in investigative genealogy

It is not always necessary to have professional training to begin the journey. Rhonda revealed how a strong interest in family history was the starting point for many of their most committed investigative genetic genealogists. The groundwork can be laid by researching your own family tree, and genealogy classes provide the framework and information you need to advance your abilities.

Getting your own DNA test and seeing how your results relate to current genealogical records is another approach to gaining experience. By working on your own family ties, you start to see how historical records and DNA ties might combine to provide a more complete picture.

"Helping adoptees is always a great way to gain experience. That's how many of us started."

According to Naming the Dead's Rhonda, a lot of people in this sector first offered their assistance in finding birth families for adoptees. Volunteers can direct their passion toward resolving unidentified cases through these experiences, which frequently lead to greater contributions.


How can people help the DNA Doe Project

When asked about how to help the project, Naming the Dead star revealed how supporting the DNA Doe Project can go beyond being an investigative genealogist. Rhonda emphasized that although financial help isn't the only option, financing is essential because donations directly fund lab work. Publicity is essential to case resolution, and sharing their message on social media helps raise awareness.

"It's also important to get the faces of those doughs out there to someone who might recognize the sketch or the artwork that portrays them."

The key to unlocking an identity may be in the hands of someone who reads a post or sketch, thus public recognition can fill the gap. The amount of genetic data accessible for analysis is also increased by uploading your DNA findings to websites such as Family Tree DNA or GEDMatch.

Moreover, promoting the Naming the Dead series gives people an opportunity to see the labor that goes on behind the scenes and might be motivated to make their own contribution.

Rhonda Kevorkian's advice demonstrates just how approachable this significant job is. Every effort can have an impact, whether it's sharing information online, giving DNA data, assisting adoptees, or tracking down your own family tree. Anyone who is curious and kind can help the mission's core goals of reclaiming identities and bringing people home.


Fans can watch episodes of Naming the Dead on Hulu and Disney+.

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Edited by Nimisha