Meredith Public Library to host investigative DNA detective

MEREDITH — The Meredith Public Library, 91 Main St., will host an Investigative Genetic Genealogy and the DNA Doe Project: A Crash Course on Thursday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about the DNA Doe Project with volunteer genetic genealogist Chelsea Hanrahan.  In 2021, Hanrahan began using her research skills and lifelong interests in genealogical research and crime in a new area; investigative genetic genealogy.

She has been a volunteer investigative genetic genealogist with the DNA Doe Project since 2022 and has been able to use her skills to help solve cases of unidentified John and Jane Does for law enforcement. Seeing how the resolution of these cases often led to more questions and more connections with unsolved crimes, she began using an array of sources to help research cold cases and advocate for families of victims- focusing on those cases taking place in New England that did not receive significant media attention at the time.

Hanrahan is a faculty member and the director of the H. Raymond Danforth Library at New England College. She has a master's degree in library science from Indiana University and a bachelor’s in history from the University of New Hampshire.

In addition to her investigative genetic genealogy work, Hanrahan is a researcher for the New England based podcast “Murder, She Told,” works with the FAIR Lab in UNH to provide support to scientific researchers, and also does outreach work and speaking engagements to help educate the public on the use of genetic genealogy.

For more information, visit meredithlibrary.org.