Genealogy DNA Testing for Ancestry

With DNA testing for ancestry, the field of Genealogy has more tools than ever to discover your family tree. Along with the genealogist research tools for digging deep into historical records and family history, you now have Genealogy DNA comparison to give solid evidence to your research.

A simple DNA test can start you on the road to discovering your ancestors from 10,000 years ago. Men and women can both test their DNA to learn the origin of their maternal ancestry. A specific kind of test called mtDNA or mitochondrial DNA, searches only the women along the line, no men. Women and men both receive their mtDNA from their mother. Men can learn the origin of their paternal line by testing their Y chromosome. The Y chromosome test checks only the paternal line. Women do not have Y DNA and cannot be tested for their paternal line. If they want to know their paternal ancestry they must ask a brother or their father or a male cousin to be tested. This is one way to firm up the surname line of your ancestry. Once the DNA sample is taken, the results will determine your haplogroup. This is a set of a people with a common ancestor, often from 10,000 to 150,000 years ago, the time when it has been shown that humans evolved in Africa and then migrated around the world. Men have both a paternal and maternal haplogroup; women have only the maternal haplogroup because they bear only X chromosomes while men have an X and a Y. A fascinating result of the DNA test is to see where your ancient family members migrated across the globe. Youll see how mutations in early genetic lines affect your family too. Youll learn all the genetic influences in your ancient family tree. You may have Asian influence you dont know about or you may be related to Napoleon or a U.S. President. DNA testing for ancestry will provide knowledge about your unique family history you never thought possible.

Genealogical DNA Tests

Scientists turn to genealogical DNA tests to answer intriguing questions about ancestry. What was once science fiction is now available to families around the world who seek information about their deep ancestral roots. How do you know which test is right for you? Here are some options to help you narrow your choice.

For men, the common male ancestor test will reveal analysis of 24 markers that get passed through generations of men in the same family. The 24 are selected because they are identical for the past 20 generations or so. An average generation is considered to be 25 years. If your test results are identical to another mans test results, the two of you share a common male ancestor. You may find you are linked to a specific ethnic group you didnt realize or you may share a surname with other people who are related to you. Once you compare notes with them, both groups may find other, more distant relatives. The common female ancestor test is offered to both men and women because both genders share an X chromosome. There are 33 primary female clans in the world and most are specific to a particular continent. Once the clan, or haplogroup is identified, then regions within the continent can be narrowed down. For example, Europeans are all descended from seven maternal clans. Your makers may group you with one from Spain or from Russia. Native American DNA tests are very active with various individuals seeking knowledge about their particular tribe. There are four maternal clans and they are linked by language more than geography.

It is easy to order a DNA test. You simply chose a lab online, order the test, and wait for the cheek swab. Genealogical DNA tests are quick and painless, and within 4 to 6 weeks youll have a wealth of information about your deep ancestral roots.

Understanding Genealogical Data

To understand genealogical data, we must first learn about the role of DNA. It is the primary molecule of life and is responsible for the development and growth of every living thing. The best way to describe the amount of genetic information stored in DNA is to picture a library full of books. If you took every line of copy in every page of every book and you cut it into strips and taped them one after another, end to end, you would have the equivalent information that DNA stores in our bodies.

With DNA all this information is organized into shelving called chromosomes. In the library you seek information by alphabet then shelf number then page and finally paragraph. The Human Genome Project did essentially the same thing in 2002, by creating a card catalog for all the genetic information in the body. The biggest difference between the way books are cataloged in a library and genetic information is stored in DNA, is there are two copies of the information in each cell; one copy comes from the mother and the other comes from the father. Both copies are nearly identical which is how paternity is determined. The biggest difference between males and females lies in the chromosomes. The 23rd pair consists of an X and a Y. Females have two Xs and males have an X and a Y. When a baby is conceived the mother always passes down an X, but the father can pass down either an X or a Y; X for a baby girl and Y for a baby boy. To trace ancient ancestral roots, genealogists look at the DNA with

low rates of change or mutation, making genealogical data a reliable but imperfect source of information from up to 150,000 years ago.

The Limits of Ancestral DNA Testing

Genealogists turn to ancestral DNA testing to answer questions that historical records alone cannot. All people of the world have DNA so it makes sense they would form a large information base about the evolution of humans. It isnt necessary to test every member of a family to learn their origins. Women carry mtDNA because they lack the Y chromosome that men have to determine the male gender. Brothers and sisters share the same mtDNA and brothers share the same Y DNA. MtDNA yields information about the maternal line of a family. Mt is short for mitochondria present in both men and women. Y DNA tests the paternal line. Here is what you can learn from a DNA test for ancestry: Do your ancestors originate from Europe, or the farmers from the Middle East? Europeans came from seven maternal clans and your DNA can spot the markers that show the specific area of Europe where your mothers family originated. Even if you are Caucasian you may discover a bloodline that points to Africa and the oldest human population from 100,000 years ago. Some of the early tribes are the Bantu, Ibo and Kung. Native Americans are predominately from four clans which migrated from the Old World. Native Americans today seek to know which modern tribe they are from and DNA evidence of early tribal migration narrows the focus of an otherwise broad population sample. Some families today are conducting surname projects to learn the origin of their last name. Whether the name is Jones or Andrianopoulos, families want to know who they are related to around the world. The human race has been mixing since it evolved in Africa 150,000 years ago. You may find identifying markers from several groups that dont seem connected because of the constant evolution of families. If youre looking for many answers to specific questions, proceed with ancestral DNA testing with an open mind. Collectively the more people that do have genealogy DNA testing performed will help to grow the database for the overall study.

DNA Genetic Testing: Some Ethical Concerns

Since 1989 researchers have made DNA genetic testing available to ordinary citizens looking to fill in the blanks about their history. Most people simply want information that assists in their search for relatives they dont know exist, or they wish to know their risk for inherited disorders. However, some individuals are manipulating science to gain an unfair advantage. What would be the consequence of an overzealous parent using gene therapy to increase speed and agility in an unborn child? A child who could grow up and play team sports? The science is available to create so-called super teams, but at what cost? How does a typical team of gifted and athletic children compete against children whose genetic makeup has been altered for them to gain an advantage? If that sounds too much like science fiction, theres another more insidious use of DNA testing that undermines American workers. A brand new law called the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act took effect last month that bars employers from demanding genetic tests or from using a persons genetic background in promotions or even hiring or firing. The new law forbids Health Insurance companies and Pre-Paid Health plans from using genetic risk indicators for a family history of stroke, diabetes, cancer or heart disease to deny coverage or to increase premiums and deductibles. Simply put, the Act prohibits employers or insurers from asking for genetic information. There is also the question of whether or not we should submit to DNA testing for our own information. Recently

scientists discovered a variant of a gene called apolipoprotein E which they believe is a strong indicator of developing Alzheimers disease. Would you care to know if you have it? Since there is no cure for Alzheimers, most doctors advise against the test. Personally I think that I would want to know it and perhaps might seek be more cautious of early warning signals and it would help with plans for elder care. Enjoy this free report and for more excellent information on Genealogy DNA Testing visit the website of www.GenealogyDNA.com. You Meet the Nicest People Through Genealogy DNA Testing.