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Was this the Beginning of Humans and Can Genealogy DNA Testing Take Us Back There?

Photosynthetic unicellular organisms. Oxidation. Mutation. Natural selection and evolution. Respiration. Cell differentiation. Sexual reproduction

(Excerpted from “The History of the Universe in 200 Words or Less” by Eric Schulman
© copyright 1996-1997. by Eric Schulman)
Located on the web at: http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3fs8i/hist/hist.html

Can Genealogy DNA Testing take us back to the beginning?

As of today scientists, historians and genealogists have fairly reached the conclusion that the following list of bi-peds are in the evolutionary chain of human like creatures that inhabited earth and that evolved in to modern day Homo Sapiens.

Here are some fairly acceptable date ranges for various Hominid species.
Homo Habilis – 2.2 to 1.6 million years BCE (Before Common Era 2010)
Homo Erectus – 2 to 0.4 million years BCE
Homo Sapiens – 400,000 to 200,000 BCE
Homo Sapiens Neandertalensis – 200,000 to 30,000 years BCE
Homo Sapiens Sapiens – 130,000 years BCE to present.
(Washington State University)
http://www.wsu.edu:8001/vwsu/gened/learn-modules/top_longfor/timeline/timeline.html

Apparently most of us, at least Americans, resemble some of our ancestors as depicted in this sculpture known as the Venus of Dolni Vŭstonice, one of the earliest known figurines depicting the human body. Dates back to about 29,000 to 25,000 BP. (Before Present 1950,) or say, about 27,000 BC.  (courtesy wikipedia)

venus of dolni vestonice

Oldest figurine of human body

Humans are noted for their desire to understand and influence their environment, seeking to explain and manipulate natural phenomena through science, philosophy, mythology and religion. This natural curiosity has led to the development of advanced tools and skills, which are passed down culturally; humans are the only animal species known to build fires, cook their food, clothe themselves, and use numerous other technologies.
(From wikipedia/humans)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_sapiens#Human_evolution

Seems I recall that we along with apes and monkeys have and use opposable thumbs that are able to  articulate which is a pretty handy feature for climbing trees and other tasks.  I know that I am a super being in the eyes of my three dogs.  They trust me for their next meal.  I make light appear magically when I enter a room, and best of all I can turn a door handle.

Ultimately researchers will not fully agree on exact times and dates but through the use of DNA testing we can get almost all the way back to the earliest known one of three, or one of seven, female ancestors.

That is quite an accomplishment for sure.

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Y-DNA Genealogy: Male DNA

With Y DNA genealogy testing, a male can find out his father’s line of the family. This is because only men have the Y chromosome. The testing on this short chromosome is the Y STR test. This is helpful in discovering the past since this is passed down from father to son.

The STR is a segment of the DNA in the Y chromosome in the region that is considered Junk. The letters STR stand for short tandem repeats. The number of times a segment repeats itself is called the allele. This number is distinctive within a population which leads to surname lineage.

There are over 100 different markers in the Y DNA chromosome, but the typical one tested is the 10-67 STR marker. This identifies the haplotype that the sample belongs to. Within this testing the SNPs are notices. These are the single nucleotide polymorphism. These are observed for any changes and help identify the Haplogroup a sample is from. The mutation rate of the SNP is very low. For this reason, it is the ideal candidate for mapping a family tree.

Before a sample is tested, the number of markers to be identified should be chosen. Some only test for 12 markers, while others test for 67. For any surname project, at least 25 markers should be tested. The greater the number of markers that are identified, the more conclusive the results will be.

When a mutation occurs in a SNP, more than 1% of the population must have this same mutation for the SNP to be considered useful. If your SNP mutation is in less than 1%, then it is a personal SNP and is distinctive to your family tree.

The Y DNA genealogy testing of the SNP and the STR is the only way to determine the male ancestral line. The greater the number of markers are identified, the more accurate the results.

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Last Names and DNA

The last names and DNA are two paths a person can take to search their ancestral past. In most cases, these two pieces of information can work hand in hand. This is because the last name is the surname of a family, which is passed down from father to son, generation to generation.

In the past, most genealogists used the surname of the family to trace out the historical roots of their family tree. This was the only means available to them. Interviews were conducted where the eldest members of the family would enlighten those that were interested on their family lineage that had already passed away.

In many cases, there were old diaries and bibles that were passed down from generation to generation, chronicling the history of a family. In such diaries would be examples or references to official documents like land grants, obituaries, births, weddings, and news items that were reported in local newspapers about past family members.

Today, there is another tool available to the modern genealogist. This is with DNA testing and their results. This makes the job of tracing a family’s roots much easier. No longer does a lead have to be physically traced out by a person traveling to a region and searching for a person or family with the same last name. The records in old newspapers from these regions can now be found online that also makes it more accessible to a greater number of people.

With more amateur genealogists registering their findings online, complete family trees are being developed. DNA results are easy to compare and a greater number of relationships are being discovered.

Today, the use of last names and DNA results are making the task of finding one’s past easier. This is more than just a hobby, but part of history.  By taking a Y-DNA test and registering your line in the database you will have a good chance of locating other relatives with the same name.

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Homo Erectus DNA

The possibility of small amounts of Homo erectus DNA in modern man does exist. Just like there is trace amounts of Neanderthal DNA, it could be a part of our genetic makeup. This is disputed by some in the genetic field of study, but also has supporters.

The Homo erectus as a species was present on the earth for over 1.2 million years. Their presence has been mainly found in Asia. This period ended some 70,000 to 50,000 years ago with extinction during the Toba catastrophe. This was when the Toba, a volcano in Sumatra, Indonesia erupted. This is thought to be the largest eruption in the history of Earth. It is credited with a 6 to 10-year volcanic winter that dramatically changed the living conditions on earth in a very short time span.

This supervolcano eruption also had long term effects on the world’s climate. It is credited with a 1,000-year period in which the earth’s surface remained cooler than it had been previously. This is also the same time period in which the human evolutionary traces appeared to be bottle necked.  It is estimated that only 1000 to 10,000 breeding pairs of Homo sapiens survived this period.

This bottle necking of the species is the leading reason for the theory that modern man can trace their genetic roots back to three females that survived this catastrophic event.

The intermixing of Homo erectus and Homo sapien could have only occurred in Asia before this event took place. There is some evidence that more people survived this event in Asia than previously known which allowed for some interbreeding between the species after this event, but the possibilities is highly reduced.

There is little to no evidence of male Homo erectus samples in modern man but because of it, genetic makeup female mtDNA from Homo erectus could still be present. There are studies that are being conducted on Homo erectus DNA with the purpose of exploring the past of modern man. With this increasing knowledge, a clearer picture is emerging but is not complete as of this date and time.

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Jewish Genealogy DNA

The tracing of Jewish genealogy DNA family lines are easier than most other groups in the world. This is because of the written history of the Jewish people in the bible. One of the first books of this holy text is dedicated to the family lines from the tribes that originated in old world Judea has been a source of great help in this endeavor.

Other advantages that have been found in the past 35 years with the tracing of this particular line of DNA is the identification of genetic diseases that are mostly isolated to this human family tree. The first one identified and studied was the gene that causes Tay Sachs Disease.

Since this genetic marker was first identified and people of this community encouraged to be tested for it, there has been a reduction by 90% of the Jewish children born with this fatal disease.

Researchers did not stop at just one disease and today researchers have identified over 25 genetic markers that are connected to inherited diseases of the Ashkenazim Jews.

The Jewish ancestry for Eastern Europe has been traced to the Y-DNA haplogroups J and E which are associated with ancestors from the Middle East. This places these family lines to be closely related to people of Kurdish, Armenian, Palestinian Arab, Lebanese, Syrian and Anatolian Turkish descended people.

The Yemenite Jews family trees have been traced back include Arabs and the original Israelites from biblical times.

Because of marriages with non-Jewish people there are other genetic markers present in most Jewish families DNA.

There are many unknowns still but one fact has emerged from the Jewish genealogy DNA. This is that all modern Jews with descendants from the biblical Israelites belong to the Y-DNA haplogroupgs J and E. The non-Israelites Jews belong to the Y-DNA haplogroupgs Q and R1a1. Learn where your family came from by studying your own DNA.

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Genealogical DNA Test

The genealogical DNA test that is readily available for any one to take has been refined over the years to give accurate and informative information about the ancestral past of the subject. Because of the popularity of this kind of test, the prices have decreased in recent years making the availability of even more results and family lines available for genealogist to use in their work.

The simplicity of the test makes it possible for most anyone to take the sample at their home. This helps to avoid an unnecessary expense of traveling to a certified laboratory and having a technician take the sample.

A sample is taken by rubbing a cotton swab, or a provided paddle type scraper, on a person’s cheek inside the mouth. This collects numerous cells that contains the DNA. This sampling technique is the simplest that can be used. The only decision a person needs to make is how thorough of a test that is to be conducted should be. The more markers that are identified, the more information can be discovered.

There are two distinctly different tests that can be conducted. The Y DNA is for the father’s lineage while the mtDNA is from the mother lineage. With the Y DNA, there are repeating nucleotides that are called Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) that are identified. There are over 100 of these present but the maximum testing usually only contains 67 of them for thorough results.

With mtDNA, the Single Nucleotides Polymorphisms (SNPs) are tested. These are passed down from every mother to her children without mutations. This is a stable DNA that can be traced back in time to which Haplogroup a person originates from. The basic test involves 12 markers but just like the Y DNA, up to 67 markers can be identified and used for analysis.

Depending on the thoroughness of the desired results, a genealogical DNA test can range in cost from just under $100 up to $700. The choice is that of the person desiring the results.

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National Geographic Genealogy DNA

The National Geographic Genealogy DNA Project traces the historic path of man for the past 60,000 years. This is being accomplished by studying the DNA of hundreds of thousands of participants from modern day, to the group of African ancestors in which all humans descended from.

The project’s main focus will be to chart the migration path of modern humans out of Africa to where the populations are located in the present time. This is a real time research effort presently underway with participants from around the world.

This is a five year study lead by Dr. Spencer Wells from the National Geographic Explorer. He leads a team of renowned international scientists in this field, along with computer experts from IBM, to combine the latest in genetic research with computer technologies to analyze the vast amount of results that is being collected.

The purpose is to identify the different migration patterns so a better understanding of the human genetic roots can be identified and understood. To accomplish this, the project is broken into three distinct sectors.

The first is to collect genetic data from traditional and indigenous populations around the world. The second sector is to gather as much data from the world population as a whole to where they are today. This sector has two purposes, to gather information and revenue where people are invited to purchase a Geographic Project Public Participation Kit.

The excess revenue from this purchase is to support indigenous conservation efforts in places where it is needed. The second part is to gather data on the world’s present day population.

The last sector is to publicize this report as a non-medical, non-profit anonymous report that will be available to the world.

This is the purpose of the National Geographic Genealogy DNA Project, free for the world to discover their roots.

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Genealogy DNA Surname Projects

Genealogy DNA Surname Projects

Genealogy DNA Surname Projects Popular

The different genealogy DNA surname projects that are currently underway are being established for a reason.  In most cases, it is to help an individual trace back their family tree with the assistance of their father’s name and their DNA.
The DNA identification and sequencing is no longer in its infancy, as the saying goes. This is a true science that deals with facts and many of the unknowns of just a few years back are established fact snow.
Today, there are many hobbyist genealogists that are tracing back their roots. One of which is the Macgregor’s. This site was established to answer two fundamental questions. Who are the Macgregor’s and where did they come from.

Genealogy DNA Migration

There are others that have a broader scope that incorporate different spelling of the surname. The reason being as families travel across continents, the names were spelled differently when a new language was used. This was a very common practice for immigrants to America, an example of this the Corson surname project. The variations they include in their data base are Corson, Colson, Courson, Corsen, Corssen, and Vroom.
Other surname projects include ancestral lines that have similar DNA sequences like the Humphrey project. This family has traced their roots to have a commonality with the Liles, Sutton, and Morton family trees.

Name Changes and Genealogy DNA

Some common letter changes in names when they cross from one language to another are W to V, D to T, and P to F. Sometimes, there is no known reason for the change in spelling, like when the Ricards family came to America it became the Ricketts.
If you are in research of your ancestry, look to the many Genealogy DNA surname projects that are already underway. It is a great starting point for many looking into their past.
This type of Y-DNA testing was one of the first available for genealogists to help confirm their paper research on a family surname.  After years of research in libraries, courthouses and document centers there finally was a way to confirm what the family history researchers were able to discover.  It is still one of the most important of all of the Genealogy DNA studies.

As with all Internet marketing websites, we accrue commissions for sales of products from this website.
Refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms of service about Genealogy DNA Surname Products

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Genetic Genealogy Testing

When deciding if genetic genealogy testing is right for you, know the facts and what can really be learned from the results before you proceed. This type of testing is sometimes referred to as genealogical DNA testing. It is designed to assist a person to learn more about their ancestral past. This is not a test for the discovery of genetic disorders and its medical value is minuscule.

For most, genetic genealogy is an additional tool that is now being used by traditional genealogist to assist in the discovery of genetic relationships between two individuals that existed in different time periods. Before the introduction of genetic testing, the common tool for a genealogist was by tracing the path of a family surname.

Today, the results of a genetic genealogy test can give a person an area and time period in which there is a probable chance of a distant relative presence. This is referred to as genetic percentages. This is the tool used to trace the roots of a family to a specific country or region, in a specific time period. Since most Americans are a mix of cultures and races, the admixture tests were developed.

These tests help to determine a person’s genetic mixture of a Haplogroup. The areas that can be determined are Native American, European, East Asian, and Sub-Sahara African. There are a few companies that are starting to specialize in the area and are even working on methods to more closely define the specific regions or counties in which the results can be identified.

When it comes to genetic genealogy testing, looking into what research a company specializes in will help a person to determine which one can fulfill their needs the best.  We recommend Family Finder as one of the best new methods today.

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DNA Ancestry Project: Find Ancestors Through DNA

The DNA ancestry project of your family is the name that is generally used when a family member traces back their lineage by genetic means. Before the advent of DNA testing, when a person wanted to know about their past, they would usually start by interviewing the elder members of the family.

Families usually have one member that is like the unofficial historian of the clan. This member would be the recipient of the old newspaper articles and other clippings of events in which family members were involved.

With the discovery of DNA testing and the ease at which a person and family can utilize it now, since the costs have dramatically decreased in recent years, the search of a family’s past has been made significantly easier.

By having your family tree traced back through both the Y DNA and the mtDNA lines, a person would be able to locate the areas where their family lived in past years. With the use of the surname data bases that are on most DNA ancestral sites, it is much easier to find out pertinent information about past members of your family.

Some searches lead to more information than others, but one fact has been found out about all of the humans that are living in the modern age. We all came from Africa and a common ancestor about 65,000 years ago. It’s the path from then till present day that tells the story of a family. This is what the study of the genealogy of your family can tell you.

By knowing your past relatives, you will know more about yourself and why you live where you do. This is what a family DNA ancestry project can bring you and your other family members.

This is where you can take the simple, pain free, DNA ANCESTRY PROJECT

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A Call For Genealogy DNA Success Stories

We are in the process of publishing a free digital book about Genealogy DNA Testing about some of the success stories our readers have sent in, and we would like to include your success story!  This free book will be given away to subscribers to our Newsletter / Mail List here on www.GenealogyDNA.com.

We know that some of you have used DNA testing to prove parentage, to show how you match up to distant cousins with scientific proof to your ‘Most Recent Common Ancestor’ (MRCA), and even to prove how you descend from various early history and prehistoric groups of humans that came out of Africa.

We want to hear your story.  Send it to us through the use of the ‘Contact’ tab on this page and we will consider it for publication.  You must identify yourself to us as the author and verify that the story is true.  You have the right to request that your name and identification is not used in our final ebook and we will respect that right.

We know that some of you have used Genealogy DNA Testing to prove or disprove one or both of your birth parents in cases of adoption.  These are emotional stories that all genealogists can understand, and we invite you to share yours.  Some states have open adoption records and birth parents and adoptees have the right to discover their natural parents.  Some states seal all adoption records and it is impossible to discover the true birth parents.  DNA testing is often the only method that is able to help solve this mystery.

Some of you have used Y-DNA testing to discover your surname connection to an early proven immigrant to America in the 17th century.  When genealogy studies have brought the male lines down to modern day times, and then the various male surname branches are DNA tested, you can prove or disprove the connection to the immigrant ancestor.  We want to hear your story about this and any type of DNA results that you have achieved.

Send us your mtDNA stories that show your mother’s umbilical line to the earliest known ancestors and their migration group.  If you have discovered distant cousins through the use of autosomal DNA testing, also known as ‘Family Finder’, please submit those stories as well.

We will not accept anonymous entries.  You must identify yourself to us no matter what, or we will not even consider it for publication.  To all persons that send in their stories you will have our never ending thanks.  To those of you that send in stories that we select to publish we will be sending you a nice gift, one that you will really appreciate for sure.

Our goal is to have these DNA success stories ready for publication by the end of July, so please send them in now and reserve your spot in being able to share your results with our readers.  Oh and by the way, if you have been tested and have received less than stellar proof, please by all means, let us know that also.  If we use your story you will recieve a nice free gift.

Thank you
Rich Hill
www.GenealogyDNA.com

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Genealogy DNA Testing: What’s it All About?

With genealogy DNA testing, a person or family can trace back their heritage or lineage to who their ancestors were and where they came from. The way this is accomplished is by examining the different nucleotides on the DNA sample and where they are located on the strain.

Unlike other DNA testing results, this is for ancestral heritage only. The DNA testing for medical purposes that include genetic diseases and disorders is not what this test will uncover.

The testing of DNA for genealogy purposes involves identifying certain nucleotide markers from the current sample with those in a historical database that contains ancestral populations from the distant past.

genealogy-dna.jpg

For males, both the father’s and mother’s ancestral lines can be explored, while for females, only their mother’s ancestors can be uncovered. This is because males have both the Y DNA chromosome and the mt DNA chromosome.

The Y chromosome is the genetic marker that is passed down from father to son and is unchanged. This is the path that can be followed for both the surname ancestral path and genetic markup. If a female wishes to know their father’s lineage, a sample from their brother, father, uncle, or grandfather can trace back the Y chromosome line of heritage. In time, this genetic marker changes slightly so perfect matches over thousands of years is unobtainable.

genealogical-dna-testing.jpg

The mtDNA is the genetic marker every mother passes down to their children. This is for both males and females the woman gives birth to. Unlike the Y DNA, the mtDNA does not change over time and perfect matches with samples thousands of years old is very common.

This is a general description of the potential a person can expect when they have genealogy DNA testing done when looking into the past history of their family.

Genealogical DNA Testing keeps advancing and now the latest types of autosomal testing can even help discover your level of Native American Ancestry.

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DNA Testing Wiki: Take Advantage of Free Information

Thinking of DNA testing, wiki is where a great number of people are finding some of the answers they are looking for. This on-line encyclopedia is a valuable free source of information available to the world.

This particular topic has a very good and in-depth article. Right in the beginning, it becomes clear that with genealogy DNA testing a person or family can trace their family roots back through the generations.

For those looking for information on genetic diseases or genetic disorders, there is little to no information that could be helpful. There is some known information that might be discovered when an analysis is done to a DNA sample, like when a specific marker is missing.

There are also commonalities of specific haplogroups for long life and other characteristics. But this is not the purpose or scope of this type of testing. Its main purpose is for genealogical research of a family.

The number of markers that are tested determines the accuracy of the testing. There is a 12 marker testing, 37 marker testing, and a 67 marker testing. With an increase in markers, there is a more accurate confirmation of the testing results. An example is if a 12 marker test was conducted on a sample. A test that matches back 7 generations would have a 50% likelihood of a match. With 67 markers tested, the results would be at 95% accurate.

With the ease at which the sample can be taken, from the inside of the cheek, and the relatively low cost which can be below $500, the popularity of this type of analysis is on the rise. This has lead to a rise in DNA testing. Wiki is a great source of general information.

Do be aware that the information shown on a Wiki is provided by volunteers and it may change at any time. Do your homework. For more even details, a dedicated site on this topic like this one is preferred by many.

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Neanderthal DNA test

In 1997, the Neanderthal DNA test became a reality when DNA from the remnants of a Neanderthal was successfully extracted from the right humerus of a known Neanderthal skeleton. These remains were found in a cave in the Neander Valley in Germany. The bones itself were recovered in 1856 and are the property of the Rheinisches Landesmuseum in Bonn.

Of the 3.5 gram sample that was taken, 379 different amino acid pair sequences were identified. What was found out was the Neanderthal DNA had 27 differences between itself and modern Homo sapiens.

With this information, it was determined that the Neanderthals and Homo sapiens had a common ancestor nearly 550,000 to 690,000 years ago. The two species then independently developed but still had limited contact with each other. There is evidence of trading between the two species as recent as 34,000 years ago in the remains at Arcy-sur-cure France.

The newest Neanderthal remnants are only 30,000 years old. The reason for their demise is still unclear, but remains found in a Croatian cave that was 38,000 years old showed signs of cannibalism.

It is thought that interbreeding of modern Homo sapiens and Neanderthals occurred between 45,000 and 80,000 years ago which is why there are remnants of their DNA in modern man. In 2010, it was reported that 1 to 4 percent of all non-African descendants have Neanderthal DNA present in their genome.

One of the commonalities of modern man and Neanderthals from the DNA is the ability to taste bitter objects, while 25% of modern humans cannot. This is thought to be an advantage since a bitter taste is associated with the toxicity level of many plants.

More and more is being discovered all the time. Since the first sample was extracted in 1997, more than 62,250 units have had a Neanderthal DNA test conducted on them and established their identity. In time, more commonalities will be released to the public.

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DNA Genealogy Testing

DNA Genealogy is basically another term for DNA testing. Usually DNA testing is done for catching criminals and solving other kidnapping cases. But, Genealogy DNA is used to find out what the possible relationship is of one person with another or for finding the ancestors.

The first Genealogy study was conducted in 1980s at the University of California, Berkeley. The scientists involved in this discovery are Rebecca L. Cann, Mark Stoneking and Allan C. Wilson. They discovered a new type of DNA named mitochondrial DNA which is present in the cell. It is passed on from mother to her child. The other DNA, Y chromosome, is

DNA Genealogy Testing

DNA Genealogy Testing


present in the nucleus of the cell is passed on from father to son.

These are the two type of DNA which mostly tells about our ancestors. It also tells about the tribes and the place of origin of our maternal and paternal lines. Scientists have studied a lot about evolution and have now concluded that we all came from one common ancestor called Adam and Eve. No doubt, there were other men and women also but it was only Adam and Eve who survived.

DNA Genealogy has helped a lot in solving different things. It is an interesting topic for scientists. They do new researches like finding out the people related to the famous personalities like George Washington, Julius Caesar or Genghis Khan. Scientists have produced human archeological record. Doctors have found DNA Genealogy useful for finding hereditary diseases and cure. DNA testing has a strong ability to reunite the families as it is 100% accurate and without any duplication. The best part is that it is helping in reduction of criminals in the society by solving maximum criminal cases.

To cut the long story short, I just want to say that DNA Genealogy which is related to DNA testing is the biggest discovery ever made in the field of medical science.

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