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… 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)

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.

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

There are several surname genealogy options available for anyone hoping to document their family tree.  In order to properly understand and document your Y-DNA test results for your male ancestors, which is also called surname genealogy, you will need to do some basic genealogical research.

Begin with the person you know best; yourself!  Using a website that facilitates ancestry searches, begin by writing everything you know about your origins and those of your family.

List the names and birthplaces of your parents and your grandparents if you know them.  Go back as far as you can.  Whether you know a lot about your family history or a little, this is a good place to start.

If you choose a more traditional approach, write about your family history offline, the old fashioned way.  Get a paperboard and construct a family tree using documents and photographs.  In these modern times your display may include website addresses that contain audio and video files from your family uploaded to the web.

Creating a family history book is an exciting project that capitalizes on the scrapbooking hobby so popular today.  There are several websites that can help you with design ideas for your project.  A quick search on scrapbooking will bring you many choices.

One of the best resources for information about your family is your oldest family members.  Talk to them and get them involved; your grandparents, aunts and uncles, your great-grandparents if they are living.  They have many interesting stories to tell but often won’t offer them up because they think no one is interested.

If you show an interest in their early years you’ll be amazed at what you learn.  You’ll see these family members in a whole new light and you’ll have a treasure trove of new information to write down and share with future generations.

If you decide to interview older relatives, consult with a website that has ideas on the types of questions to get you started.  Once you have the information, the most exciting aspect of surname genealogy is to share it with other family members so that your ancestry becomes a well-worn tale.

The traditional research methods described above coupled with modern day Genealogy DNA testing will bring you many hours of fascinating fun.