So, you’ve decided to take the plunge into the world of genetic genealogy! Many who embark on this path find that they’re confused about the process and afraid of the “science”. With a little bit of information, you’ll likely find that this is not as confusing or scary as it may seem.
7 Steps to Getting Started with DNA 1. Define your goals. What is it that you hope to achieve? Are you curious about your ethnicity? Are you adopted or have an unknown parent? Are you looking to expand or validate your standard genealogical research? Are you looking to break through brick walls? Are you hoping to receive health related reports? 2. Determine which test is most likely to help you achieve your goal.
To make that determination, it’s important to understand what each test can and cannot do. There are 4 types of DNA that are tested through three different commercially available tests. YDNA - YDNA is DNA that is passed from fathers to sons to sons. This is a good test for males who are either uncertain of their paternal line or wish to link to earlier ancestors with the same or similar surname. A Y-37 marker test is a good place to start. Keep in mind that surnames may have been changed over time and that YDNA may be inherited from an era prior to the establishment of surnames.
Mitochondrial DNA - Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is passed from mothers to children. This is a good test for either males or females who are either uncertain of their maternal line or would like to learn the deeper origins of their maternal line.
Autosomal DNA - Autosomal DNA (atDNA) is passed from both parents to their children and can identify DNA from all ancestral lines within 5 generations, and sometimes even further removed. Autosomal DNA tests will also provide you with ethnicity results. This is a good test for both males and females.
XDNA - XDNA is passed from mothers to children and fathers to daughters. XDNA follows a specific pathway within your family tree, and is different depending on whether you are biologically male or biologically female. Significant shared XDNA with another person might help identify the source of that DNA in each tree. XDNA is tested along with autosomal DNA tests, but not all companies display that result.
3. Select a testing company.
Once you have determined your goal and which DNA test or tests would be best to help you achieve your goal, it is time to select a testing company.
The so-called “Big 5” include 23 and Me, Ancestry, Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), Living DNA, and My Heritage. There are advantages and disadvantages associated each company as it relates to your individual origins. This will be covered in more detail in other Lesson Blogs. For now, the most important consideration is which company will provide you with the information to solve your research question.
4. Begin building a family tree and attach those results to your DNA test. There is a debate among genetic genealogists as to whether or not to make their trees public. There are valid arguments on both sides of the discussion, but perhaps the best reasons for making your tree information public is: - It helps your DNA matches work with you collaboratively to solve your family mysteries. - Some of the DNA testing companies provide hints to help you expand your tree. When you have your tree attached to your DNA results, it helps you better utilize these tools. Important Tip! Just be sure that as you expand your tree, you aren’t just a “tree copier”. Look for supportive documentation and evaluate all evidence that supports adding these new lines! But . . .What if you’re adopted or have an unknown parent line? While you may have little information on your biological line, you do have you! Your tree can have as little as one person in it. In time, the results you find may help you to expand your tree which will, in turn, generate more clues to your ancestral lines. 5. While you’re waiting for your results, do some reading to understand your results Take some time to read about the DNA test you took so that you’re prepared to utilize those results when they’re ready. The DNA Classroom Lesson Bog is a great place to start! 6. When your results are in, take a lot of notes! You will want to take special care to note potential clusters of cousins. The notes you leave early on will help you make connections within your family tree as more testers join these databases or when you begin comparing across other databases. The DNA Classroom Lesson Blog and DNA Classroom Newsletter provide all kinds of tips and techniques to help you work with your results to gain success. 7. But, what if you’re only interested ethnicity results? Many people take DNA tests for ethnicity results alone. That is a perfectly good reason for taking a DNA test. As to which test is “most accurate” there is no perfect answer. Each testing company uses different base populations and techniques to arrive at your ethnicity results. Because of this, results for the same person will be different across different testing companies. The important thing to remember is that ethnicity results are primarily for entertainment value. So, select the company that appeals to you. But, be sure to attach a tree showing your most recent deceased ancestors. Not only will it help others to determine how they’re related to you, you never know . . . You may catch the genealogy bug as well! #GettingStarted #NewToDNA #NewDNATest #EthnicityResults #YDNA #AutosomalDNA #XDNA #mtDNA