Genetic genealogy is the application of genetics to traditional genealogy. Genetic genealogy involves the use of genealogical DNA testing to determine the level of genetic relationship between individuals.

Uses

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Paternal and maternal lineages

The two most common types of genetic genealogy tests are Y-DNA (paternal line) and mtDNA (maternal line) genealogical DNA tests.

These tests involve the comparison of certain sequences of DNA from one individual to that of another to scientifically determine how many generations ago the two individuals shared their most recent common ancestor. These tests allow two individuals to determine with reasonable certainty that they are related within a certain time frame, or with complete certainty that they are not related within a certain time frame.

Y-DNA research involves short tandem repeat (STR) testing and mtDNA research involves sequencing the HVR-1 region, HVR-2 region or both. A number of searchable Y-DNA databases are open to the public and available online.

Biogeographical and ethnic origins

Additional DNA tests exist for determining biogeographical and ethnic origin, but these test have less relevance for traditional genealogy.

See biogeographic ancestry, genealogical DNA test and population genetics (the study of the distribution of and change in allele frequencies).

Human migration

Genealogical DNA testing methods are also being used on a longer time scale to trace human migratory patterns and determine, for example, when the first humans came to North America and how they got there. For several years, a number of researchers and laboratories from around the world have been sampling indigenous populations from around the globe in an effort to map historical human migration patterns. Recently, several projects have been created that are aimed at bringing this science to the public. One example is the Genographic Project, which tests 12 DNA markers and aims to map historical human migration patterns by collecting and analyzing DNA samples from over 100,000 people across five continents. However, this is only one of several DNA projects. Today, most DNA labs test at least 20 to 63 markers. A comparison of the projects and tests which available to the public will show the differences in features and capabilities of each project.

Benefits

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Genetic genealogy gives genealogists a means to check or supplement the historical record with information from genetic data. A positive test match with another individual may:

• provide locations for further genealogical research
• help determine ancestral homeland
• discover living relatives
• validate existing research
• confirm or deny suspected connections between families
• prove or disprove theories regarding ancestry

Drawbacks

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The main reasons people cite for not wanting to be DNA tested is cost or concerns over privacy issues. However, costs have decreased since the intriduction of genealogical DNA tests. Additionally, at most labs, the privacy and confidentiality of one's genetic markers is controlled by the person being tested. In databases, listing of individuals is sometimes anonymous and identified by a number which may only be known to the individual, or is at the option of the person tested.

Finally, Y-DNA and mtDNA testing each only trace a single lineage (one's father's father's father's etc. lineage or one's mother's mother's mother's etc. lineage). At 10 generations back, an individual has 1024 ancestors and a Y-DNA or mtDNA test is only studying one of those 1024 ancestors, as well as their decendants and siblings (same sexed siblings for Y-DNA or all siblings for mtDNA).

See also

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Important concepts

• Allele
• Allele frequency
• Electropherogram
• Genealogical DNA test
• Genetic recombination
• Haplogroup
• Haplotype
• Most recent common ancestor
• Short tandem repeat (STR)
• Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
• Y-STR (Y-chromosome short tandem repeat)

Related fields

• Archaeogenetics
• Genealogy
• Genetics
  • Genetic fingerprinting
  • DNA sequencing
  • Population genetics
  • Molecular genetics

Patrilineal relationships

• Patrilineality
• XY sex-determination system
• Y-chromosomal Adam
• Y-chromosomal Aaron
• Adam's Curse

Matrilineal relationships

• Matrilineality
• Mitochondrion
• Mitochondrial DNA
• Mitochondrial Eve
• X chromosome

Biogeography, ethnicity and migration

• Population genetics
• Multiregional hypothesis
• Single-origin hypothesis

Projects

• Human Genome Project
• International HapMap Project
• Molecular Genealogy Research Project
• Surname project
• The Genographic Project

Lists

• List of Y-chromosome databases
• List of DNA tested mummies
• List of DNA tested historical figures
• List of genetic results derived from historical figures

External links and resources

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News

• MSNBC — Genetic Genealogy Front Page
• dnaconsultants.com — Current DNA News
• jgg-online.blogspot.com — On-line Journal of Genetics and Genealogy

Mailing lists and forums

• lists5.RootsWeb.com — GENEALOGY-DNA Mailing List
• lists.RootsWeb.com — DNA Mailing Lists
• Genforum — DNA Forum
• DNA-NEWBIE — Mailing list for those new to genetic genealogy

Additional information

• www.DNAHeritage.com — DNA Tutorial
• www.DNAHeritage.com — DNA Masterclass
• www.Kerchner.com — Info and Resources Page
• DNA.reinyday.com — Genealogical DNA Testing
• BlairGenealogy.com — DNA 101
• www.CyndisList.com — Genetics, DNA & Family Health

Organizations

• International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)

DNA databases

• Ysearch — Largest public access Y-DNA database
• Mitosearch — Largest public access mtDNA database
• Ybase — public access Y-DNA database
• Mitochondrial DNA Concordance
• SMGF Database
• Y Chromosome Haplotype Reference Database — YHRD
• Y-Plex/Y-STR

Genetic genealogy | Population genetics | DNA | Kinship and descent | Genealogy

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