Genealogy dna testing

Genealogy dna testing, also known as genetic genealogy, may be able to help you discover more about your ancestral heritage. Some people hail it as the brave new world of genealogical investigation. Others object to it because it removes the educational (not to mention, enjoyable) detective work of traditional genealogy research. Others insist it's a load of hoccus pocus nonsense designed to separate fools from their wallet.

Probably the majority simply don't know what to think about genealogy dna testing but are curious to know more.

It is aimed at the amateur family historian who is curious about what this scientific development might offer his/her research and wants to know what is available and what to consider before deciding whether or not to proceed with a test.

Why bother with genealogical dna testing?

If you've already unlocked a fair few generations of your ancestry, dna testing may seem an unnecessary luxury. Or, depending on your approach to research or your level of curiosity about your genealogy, dna analysis may offer just the answer you've been waiting for.

Any of the following reasons might make you consider the cost of genealogy dna testing to be within your budget.

• You've hit a brickwall in your paper research.
  Genetic genealogy is DNA testing that's carried out specifically to learn about a person's heritage.
• You want to see if the genealogy discoveries you've already made stand up to scientific scrutiny.
• You have an unsolved mystery, perhaps about adoptions, rushed marriages or other 'hushed-up' relationships, in your family tree.
• You are satisfied with your knowledge of your more recent heritage (ie during the last few centuries) but you'd like to know about your more distant geographical origin... your ethnic origin.
• You want to find out if you are related to others with the same
  surname.

Surname studies: dna and genealogy come together.

If you've been a family historian for any length of time, it's possible you've been contacted by someone, a stranger, who shares your surname and wonders if you might be related. After a few cursory questions and answers about immediate family and/or a generation or two of ancestors, both parties usually come to the conclusion that they are not related.

But there is a chance (and, with some names, a likelihood) that you and this stranger are indeed related. The problem is that the 'common ancestor' is further back in time than your combined genealogical research can take you.

This is where surname studies come in, because Y-DNA (see below) is passed intact, along with a surname, down the male line.

Surname studies and Y-DNA are, therefore, natural partners in the genealogy dna testing portfolio.

What do you want to know about genealogy dna testing?

Select from the menu below to find out more about how dna and genealogy can help you unravel your heritage and geographical origin.

• Some basic dna facts for genealogists.
• A brief look at each of the main (genealogy-focused) types of dna test.
• Mitochondrial dna testing analyses the maternal line and 'deep ancestral' origins
• Y-dna ancestry tests (aka paternity dna tests because they follow only the male line) can connect you to other branches of your family.
• DNA Surname projects explained.
• If you're of Irish heritage (or suspect it), you may have y-dna from Niall of the Nine Hostages.
• DNA testing for ancestry: how to order your home DNA tests and kits.