PedHunter

PedHunter constructs and verifies pedigrees within large genealogical databases to connect distant relatives and produce LINKAGE-format pedigrees for genetic linkage analysis.

Key Features:

• Pedigree generation: Generates pedigrees formatted for linkage analysis and outputs data in LINKAGE format.
• Pedigree verification and connection: Connects distant relatives within extensive genealogies and addresses two versions of the pedigree connection problem.
• Graph-theory methods: Leverages advanced methods derived from graph theory to analyze and link genealogical records.
• Relational database operation: Operates on genealogy data stored in a relational database organized into tables with specified formats.
• Large-scale genealogy support: Designed to handle and analyze extensive genealogical datasets such as population-scale family trees.

Scientific Applications:

• Genetic linkage analysis: Produces LINKAGE-format pedigrees ready for linkage studies in medical genetics.
• Population genealogy analysis: Connects and analyzes distant relatives within large genealogies for research into inheritance patterns.
• Application to AGDB: Demonstrated on the Amish Genealogy Database (AGDB) encompassing the Old Order Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Methodology:

Uses graph-theory–derived methods to solve two versions of the pedigree connection problem on genealogy data stored in relational database tables and outputs pedigrees in LINKAGE format.