Genetic Genealogy

Genetic Genealogy is the application of DNAon a tree that is slightly different from its parent.
testing to determine the level of relationshipsY DNA results can help find genetic cousins and
among individuals. There are two Ancestry DNAdetermine geographic and ancestral origins.
or Genealogy DNA tests used in genealogyTrace your Mother's Roots using Mitochondrial
research.DNA (mtDNA)
One is the Y chromosome (Y-DNA) test and theBoth sons and daughters receive the mitochondrial
other is the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) test.DNA (mtDNA) unchanged from their mother but
Here is a brief discussion of the science behindonly the daughters can pass the mtDNA on to
Ancestry DNA or Genealogy DNA testing.the next generation.
Two Ancestry DNA TestsA female's mtDNA should be exactly the same as
The idea of Ancestry DNA Testing is based onher mother's, maternal grandmother's and the
the scientific fact that certain parts of another females in this line for thousands of years.
individual's DNA are passed from parent to childHowever from scientific studies we know that
unchanged. The DNA of a Y chromosome isoccasionally a small section of a mtDNA will
passed by a man to his sons unchanged; therandomly mutate or change when it is copied. If a
mitochondrial DNA of a woman is passed to herdaughter receives her mother's mtDNA with a
children unchanged.small mutation or change then the daughter will
Trace your Father's Roots using Y Chromosomepass on that mutated or changed mtDNA to her
(Y-DNA)daughters who will pass on that mutated or
The DNA of a male's Y chromosome (Y-DNA)changed mtDNA to their daughters.
should be exactly the same as his father's,Genealogist look at these mutations or changes to
paternal grandfather's and the other males in thisdetermine the level of relationships among
line for thousands of years - because we knowindividuals and attempt to create a family tree
that a man passes a copy of his Y chromosomebecause each mutation or change is like a branch
unchanged to all of his sons.on a tree that is slightly different from its parent.
However from scientific studies we know thatmtDNA results can help find genetic cousins and
occasionally a small section of a Y chromosomedetermine geographic and ancestral origins.
will randomly mutate or change when it is copied.DNA Test Results
If a son receives his father's Y-DNA with a smallScientists know which sections of Y-DNA and
mutation or change then the son will pass on thatmtDNA have changed or mutated most often
mutated or changed Y-DNA to his sons who willover the years and so these sections of DNA are
pass on that mutated or changed Y-DNA to theirused as the markers for DNA testing.
sons.Based on the test results for the DNA markers
Genealogist look at these mutations or changes toan individual will be assigned to a haplogroup which
determine the level of relationships amongis composed of individuals with similar DNA test
individuals and attempt to create a family treeresults. The more markers 2 people have in
because each mutation or change is like a branchcommon the closer they are as "genetic cousins".