Common Ancestor | GenealogyDNA.com

Genealogy DNA Testing for Ancestry

November 15th, 2009 | Author: admin

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. You’ll see how mutations in early genetic lines affect your family too. You’ll learn all the genetic influences in your ancient family tree. You may have Asian influence you don’t know about or you may be related to Napolean or a U.S. President. DNA testing for ancestry will provide knowledge about your unique family history you never thought possible.