 DNA testing is now frequently used to trace ancestral roots. There are two types of DNA tests, which are used specifically for ancestral research.
Mitochondrial DNA mtDNA),which is passed from a
mother to all of her children, can be studied to link individuals through maternal lineage, for many generations. While men do inherit mtDNA from their mothers, they do not pass it on to their children.
Y-STRs, which are passed from a father to his male children, can be used to determine paternal lineage among alleged male relatives. Therefore, women
can not participate in Y-STR DNA testing, as it is only useful for male individuals and their presumed paternal male relatives.
In both mtDNA and Y-STR testing, a DNA profile will be obtained from each person who submits a sample. Generally, only a buccal (oral) swab sample is all that is needed, although many types of samples may be used (i.e. tissue samples from deceased persons or personal effects). If individuals are related through maternal lineage, they should have virtually the exact same mtDNA profiles. If two or more men are related through paternal lineage, they also should have virtually the exact same Y-STR DNA profiles. It is important to note that neither mtDNA nor Y-STR testing can determine an exact degree of relatedness, but rather a general biological relationship. For instance, two men that share the same Y-STR profile could be father and son, or they could be great-grandfather and great-grandson, and so on.
There are many organizations and websites available today which allow people to connect through posting of their mtDNA and Y-STR DNA profile information. Biological relatives, some very distant, can potentially be matched through comparison of mtDNA and Y-STR DNA profiles.
Contact us to inquire about or to arrange an Ancestral DNA Test. |