DNA Genealogy

[Dram]

Where does the data come from that says for example, you come from an ancient people in a specific area..

Through proven population samples. DNA has specific identifiable mutations that occur within a particular time frame. For example: our DNA is thousands of years old however, we can find common mutations in our DNA (I believe these mutations occur in populations where essentially the peoples become isolated to a particular geographical region) which become characteristics of a given population (Gaelic/Norse/Basque etc...) this process itself may take 1000 years or more. I'm sorry this is a vague answer...too much to consider writing here.

Is DNA collected from the remains of these ancient peoples found in archeological digs? How is the baseline determined?

DNA can be collected from remains. I am aware of some "bog-men" that scientists were able to recover DNA from. More commonly comparative DNA is gathered from proven samples of a living population. By proven, I mean someone who can trace their lineage back to a progenitor. For example: some Scottish clan chiefs have had their DNA tested because they can prove direct descendency from the originating line of the clan.

Wouldn't your ancestors have to have their DNA on record somehow? How could that possibly be obtained?

Your ancestors, ancestors are the historical record, and their descendents including you, me, and a ton of cousins depending on how far you wish to go back. It is the mutations on the markers of our DNA though that allow us to be "categorized" into cetain groups (families,clans, etc...) that narrows down our relationships considerably.

[O'Callaghan]

Surname projects typically test yDNA for people of the same surname, and deduce that those in the group who have related DNA are the ones whose DNA represents the name, whilst those who don't are due to Non-Parental Events (NPEs) or the like. So, that is usually how they decide.

I have good conventional genealogical information showing that I'm 1/8 Irish and tracing that line back to Co. Cork and then further back in time in the same place, possibly into the 1700s, although by that point it is hard to know if you have the right person.

However, that is my mother's father's line, so to cross-check that would involve testing the yDNA of one of my uncles, and I'm not atall sure that it would be a good use of money. The original Callaghan of Cashel was king of the Irish kingdom of Munster, about a thousand years ago, but I'm not sure whether DNA could demonstrate royal descent (or the absence thereof) over that period. He was of the Eoganacht (Eugenian) tribe, FWIW.

I also have quite a bit of info on my mother's mother's family, but only within England, although going back quite a way (I myself emigrated to the States). I do suspect (from my grandmother's maiden name) that my mtDNA if tested might go back to Holland, or possibly Belgium, but well before written records, so that is an interesting thought. There is also a similar German surname that is usually thought to be a variation. In fact, her maiden name could also be Scottish, but that part of England is only tens of miles from Holland or Belgium (albeit there is water inbetween) and hundreds of miles from the border with Scotland.

There is a great deal less known about my father's side. His mother's maiden name is one that can be English, Irish or Scottish by origin, but testing my yDNA couldn't answer that conundrum, and Occam's razor says it is most likely English.

As for my own surname (not my user name), it can be an anglicised form indicating Italian or Spanish origins, or can be English but have a religious meaning, which is odd as AFAIK no-one on that side has ever been near a church except to be christened, married or buried.

Testing my yDNA might reveal something of interest, as we don't know of anyone in that line outside of England, and even knowing if, say, it was Saxon or Briton would be of interest. My mother has sometimes kidded my father that he must be either Jewish or Roman, and who knows, maybe one or the other might even be true, at least genetically, although again how accurate you can be I don't know.

So you see, even those of us from the Old World are still mutts. It's just that we might be talking about tribes rather than nationalities.

[CopperNGold]

Can a very old lock of hair be used for this kind of DNA testing? I have no male surviving members of my father's family, but I do have a lock of my father's hair that my grandmother kept. I know extremely scientific DNA testing can use old samples, but with this 'for-the-public' testing, will I see some results or will the DNA have been disinigrated and unusuable?

I was able to do the maternal side ofthe family and discovered that I have Iberian/Celt on that side of the family, too. That was a surprise to me. I have a lot more work ahead of me.

[sirdaniel1975]

I recently had my y-dna (37 marker) tested at Family Tree DNA and had a wonderful experience. "I2a1b" is my y-dna haplogroup and I matched one of the Clan MacFarlane unassigned lineages. This finding was significant because my grandparents were convinced we were clan Gunn because someone Scottish Gift shop person told them so. I disproved it with genealogical research but hit a brick wall in the 1700's. They have my sample on record and I can always order more tests like mt-dna.

I strongly recomend this for the clan y-dna projects purposes and to help in the area were one gets curious about there older ancestral connections. As stated it is very helpful when a brick wall has been placed in your path and you're unsure about a possible clan connection. The DNA doesn't lie.

[RAF]

Dram, thank you for those answers to my questions! I'm thinking I might have DNA testing done just to see if anything of interest comes up. While my Scot ancestry is through my paternal grandmother, I'm curious to see how much further I could go and/or what may be proved or disproved. Also would like to see if I can glean any information on my paternal grandfather's line, which is where I've hit a wall. All I know is that he's German.
Any suggestions for agencies and/or specific tests? From what I see here, the more markers, the more accurate (and I imagine the more expensive.)
Fascinating stuff - DNA! Wish me luck. Thanks again.

[Dram]

Dram, thank you for those answers to my questions! I'm thinking I might have DNA testing done just to see if anything of interest comes up. While my Scot ancestry is through my paternal grandmother, I'm curious to see how much further I could go and/or what may be proved or disproved. Also would like to see if I can glean any information on my paternal grandfather's line, which is where I've hit a wall. All I know is that he's German.
Any suggestions for agencies and/or specific tests? From what I see here, the more markers, the more accurate (and I imagine the more expensive.)
Fascinating stuff - DNA! Wish me luck. Thanks again.

My pleasure RAF. As far as the standard Y-DNA test is concerned it will only tell you the origins of your fathers, fathers, father and so on. So, if I understand you correctly a Y-DNA test should show a link to Germanic lines if that is your paternal male ancestry. What's nice about this test is it will match you with others that have a common grandfather and may even point to a specific geographic location of your male ancestors.

The Family Finder test will link you with cousins on ALL of your lines but will not tell you the origin of your DNA other than European, Asian, etc... It will put you in touch with people that are genetically simialr to you; and you could then make a connection with someone for example that shares the same Scottish line you have along your paternal grandmothers side. You might get lucky and find that person you match has a wealth of info on that particular line. It is a very useful genealogical tool.

As far as recommending a company, I'd go with Family Tree DNA. They are currently running a very nice sale until the end of December. If you decide you'd like a Y-DNA test, I strongly recommend you do minimally the Y-37 test. Family Finder would probably benefit you if you are doing significant genealogical research, you may want to read a little more on it and decide as it is one of the more expensive tests. Both of these tests however, are being offered at pretty reasonable rates right now.

[RAF]

My pleasure RAF. As far as the standard Y-DNA test is concerned it will only tell you the origins of your fathers, fathers, father and so on. So, if I understand you correctly a Y-DNA test should show a link to Germanic lines if that is your paternal male ancestry. What's nice about this test is it will match you with others that have a common grandfather and may even point to a specific geographic location of your male ancestors.

The Family Finder test will link you with cousins on ALL of your lines but will not tell you the origin of your DNA other than European, Asian, etc... It will put you in touch with people that are genetically simialr to you; and you could then make a connection with someone for example that shares the same Scottish line you have along your paternal grandmothers side. You might get lucky and find that person you match has a wealth of info on that particular line. It is a very useful genealogical tool.

As far as recommending a company, I'd go with Family Tree DNA. They are currently running a very nice sale until the end of December. If you decide you'd like a Y-DNA test, I strongly recommend you do minimally the Y-37 test. Family Finder would probably benefit you if you are doing significant genealogical research, you may want to read a little more on it and decide as it is one of the more expensive tests. Both of these tests however, are being offered at pretty reasonable rates right now.

Excellent! Yes, I was just looking at the Family Tree DNA site. Looks like a winner. I think I'll start with the Y-DNA67 test for now, and then see if I want to pursue Family finder or mt-DNA later. I'm hoping I can get a lead on a specific geographical location (as you said) for my dad's great grandfather (and beyond) for that has been the stumbling block in my research - I haven't been able to find any reference to WHERE in Germany he and his ancestors came from.
Thanks again!

[Dram]

Excellent! Yes, I was just looking at the Family Tree DNA site. Looks like a winner. I think I'll start with the Y-DNA67 test for now, and then see if I want to pursue Family finder or mt-DNA later. I'm hoping I can get a lead on a specific geographical location (as you said) for my dad's great grandfather (and beyond) for that has been the stumbling block in my research - I haven't been able to find any reference to WHERE in Germany he and his ancestors came from.
Thanks again!

RAF,

I think you will really have fun with it. Let me know if you decide to go through with it and keep me posted when you have your results. To me it's a rewarding and exciting journey. I have a German line in my family that I believe may originate in Denmark. I'd love to have someone in that line tested to see where it actually originates. Perhaps you will get a surprise when you test! That's the other bit of fun with DNA.



Best of luck

[RAF]

RAF,

I think you will really have fun with it. Let me know if you decide to go through with it and keep me posted when you have your results. To me it's a rewarding and exciting journey. I have a German line in my family that I believe may originate in Denmark. I'd love to have someone in that line tested to see where it actually originates. Perhaps you will get a surprise when you test! That's the other bit of fun with DNA.



Best of luck

Just ordered! Will keep you posted.

[cck]

Last year, for Christmas, I was given the National Geographic Genome Project kit. This is apparently associated Family Tree DNA as they sent me the results on my specimen. As a male, this would only identify men in my direct family line. Since I wanted to get more involved, I ordered some additional testing. The only "close relative" I have found so far was a grandson of a female cousin. Of all the thousands of names they identified as having links to me, none were any family names that I knew of in my ancestry. Of course, they can only work with specimens that have been submitted. As more people become involved it should get more interesting.

I suspect the National Geographic was more interested in the migration patterns. You will receive information on the percentage of DNA's similar to yours found in nations around the world.