"A genealogical DNA test is a DNA-based genetic test used in genetic genealogy that looks at specific locations of a person's genome in order to find or verify ancestral genealogical relationships, or (with lower reliability) to estimate the ethnic mixture of an individual."
Understanding the basics of DNA testing for genealogical purposes, including types of tests, interpreting results, and identifying potential matches.
DNA Basics: Understanding the structure and functions of DNA and how it relates to genealogy research.
DNA Testing Options: Overview of the types of DNA tests available for genealogy research, including autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial DNA testing.
Testing Companies: Comparison of different DNA testing companies and their features, including AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and FamilyTreeDNA.
DNA Sample Collection: Proper techniques for DNA sample collection, including saliva and cheek swab samples.
Analyzing DNA Results: Understanding the basics of interpreting DNA test results, including ethnicity estimates and DNA matches.
Match Management: Strategies for organizing and analyzing DNA matches, including creating family trees and using online tools.
DNA in Genealogy Research: Incorporating DNA results into genealogical research, including triangulation techniques and using DNA to solve ancestry mysteries.
Privacy and Ethical Considerations: Understanding the potential risks and privacy concerns associated with DNA testing and how to protect personal information.
Genetic Genealogy Community: Connecting with other genealogists and DNA testers through online forums and Facebook groups.
Future of DNA Testing: Exploration of emerging technologies and their potential impact on genealogical research.
Autosomal DNA Testing: Autosomal DNA is the DNA that you inherit randomly from all your ancestors equally. This test can give you information about your ancestry from all sides of your family, your ethnicity, and your distant cousins.
YDNA Testing: YDNA is the DNA that is passed down only from father to son. This test can give you information on your paternal ancestry and help you connect with distant male relatives who share your Y chromosome.
mtDNA Testing: MtDNA is the DNA that is passed down only from mother to children (male and female). This test can help you trace your maternal ancestry and connect with distant relatives who share your maternal line.
X-DNA testing: X DNA is a type of DNA that is inherited from both your mother and your father, but in a different way than autosomal DNA. This test can help you trace your ancestry on your mother's and father's sides, and even identify common ancestors.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Testing: NGS is a type of DNA testing that analyzes a much larger portion of your DNA compared to traditional genealogy tests. This test can help you identify unknown ancestors, confirm relationships, and provide a more detailed view of your ancestry.
Genotyping: Genotyping is a type of DNA testing that analyzes specific locations on your genome. This test focuses on identifying specific genetic markers that are associated with different ethnic groups or populations.
STR (Short Tandem Repeat) Testing: STR is a type of DNA testing that examines specific regions on your DNA where sections of the DNA code are repeated. This test is widely used in genealogy and can help identify relationships between individuals and determine common ancestry.
SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) Testing: SNPs are small variations in DNA that are found among different individuals, populations, and ethnic groups. This test can help identify your specific ancestry from different regions and help you connect with distant relatives who share these SNPs.
Epigenetic Testing: Epigenetic testing examines chemical modifications on your DNA that can impact the expression of your genes. This test can help identify environmental factors that may have influenced your ancestry and gene expression.
"Since different testing companies use different ethnic reference groups and different matching algorithms, ethnicity estimates for an individual vary between tests, sometimes dramatically."
"Three principal types of genealogical DNA tests are available, with each looking at a different part of the genome and being useful for different types of genealogical research: autosomal (atDNA), mitochondrial (mtDNA), and Y-chromosome (Y-DNA)."
"Autosomal tests may result in a large number of DNA matches to both males and females who have also tested with the same company. Each match will typically show an estimated degree of relatedness, i.e., a close family match, 1st-2nd cousins, 3rd-4th cousins, etc."
"The furthest degree of relationship is usually the '6th-cousin or further' level."
"Traditional genealogical research, and the sharing of family trees, is typically required for interpretation of the results."
"MtDNA and Y-DNA tests are much more objective."
"However, they give considerably fewer DNA matches, if any (depending on the company doing the testing), since they are limited to relationships along a strict female line and a strict male line respectively."
"MtDNA and Y-DNA tests are utilized to identify archeological cultures and migration paths of a person's ancestors along a strict mother's line or a strict father's line."
"The mtDNA test can be taken by both males and females because everyone inherits their mtDNA from their mother, as the mitochondrial DNA is located in the egg cell."
"However, a Y-DNA test can only be taken by a male, as only males have a Y-chromosome."