Tracing family history has become a popular pursuit in recent years. While past generations researching their family heritage had to look through public and private records in libraries or at city halls, today the Internet allows people to easily search through millions of records around the world for information about their ancestors.
Along with the Internet and online records, the science of genetics allows for DNA testing, which can verify research findings by telling people whether or not they are, in fact, related to certain individuals.
If you are interested in using DNA testing to reveal whom your ancestors are, you can use either traditional or home DNA testing. With traditional DNA tests, you and the other individual(s) go to a clinic or doctor''s office, have your cheeks swabbed and wait for the results of the DNA test in the mail.
In contrast, home DNA tests allow you to swab your (and the other individual''s) cheek at home and send in the samples to the laboratory, whose address is typically located on the test''s directions. Within a few weeks, the lab will mail you back the results.
In general, DNA test results take about one to two months to return from the lab by mail. While you can order DNA test kits from a variety of genealogy websites, you may also usually pick them up from your local pharmacy.The cost of this process is usually between $100 and $400, depending on type of kit you get and how quickly you want the results to return.
Types of DNA Tests Different types of DNA tests will reveal different information about the relationships between people, if they are, in fact, related. Two of main types of DNA tests available include: mtDNA tests, which analyze mitochondrial DNA to determine maternal lineageY Line tests, which analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms to determine paternal lineage. The type of test that is best for you will depend on whether you are trying to confirm or disprove a maternal or paternal relationship.
Different types of DNA tests will reveal different information about the relationships between people, if they are, in fact, related. Two of main types of DNA tests available include:
The type of test that is best for you will depend on whether you are trying to confirm or disprove a maternal or paternal relationship.
While some people may believe that taking DNA tests can reveal all of the members of their entire family trees, this is currently not the case. Some of the useful and interesting information today''s DNA tests can provide includes:
Using DNA to trace your ancestors is only effective if you can compare your DNA to that of others. While DNA tests can tell you a lot about your ethnicity and your genetic relationships to others, they do have some limitations. Your DNA test cannot tell you:
Discovering clues about your ancestry can give you:
DNA testing has been used to solve ancestral mysteries of the past. For example, we now know that Thomas Jefferson probably fathered the last child of Sally Hemmings because of Y Line DNA test results. Even though there were no surviving male descendants from Jefferson''s marriage, male descendants of Jefferson''s paternal uncle were able to provide DNA samples.
In another important historical case, an mtDNA sample from Prince Phillip helped identify the bodies of the Russian imperial family, the Romanovs. This was possible because Prince Phillip shares the same maternal line from Queen Victoria.
Genealogy research through DNA testing appears to have a bright future. With the cost of testing becoming less expensive, more people are able to get DNA tests performed and find out more about their family lines and ancestral history. As DNA databases grow, it becomes more likely that others will find their family heritage through genealogy and DNA testing.
Powell, Kimberly (2008). DNA Family Trees. Retrieved March 11, 2008, from the About.com: Genealogy Web site.