Our own Paul Woodbury follows up on his article about the journey of a DNA sample with a discussion of how profiles and family trees are the foundations for genetic genealogy success. This article is a reprint from a recent issue of the National Genealogical Society Magazine and is published here with permission. In my previous article, "From Spit to Screen: The Journey of a DNA Sample" I described the journey of a DNA sample from the moment a sample is taken to the moment a test taker … [Read more...]
How can DNA Solve Unknown Parentage and Break Down a Brick Wall?
One of our researchers uses her own family tree investigation as an example to explain how DNA can be used to break down brick walls, solve an unknown parentage case and uncover surprises in genealogical research.Important Female AncestorsWho are the important female ancestors you would like to honor in your life? Sometimes finding historical records about our female ancestors is not enough. Sometimes, all you can do is send in a DNA test, hoping that somehow, some way, you will find a … [Read more...]
Better Living Through Statistics: What Are The Odds?
The What Are the Odds DNA tool is a free resource to help you compare the probability of relationships with your DNA matches. The advent of consumer autosomal DNA testing has allowed genealogists to use DNA results to break down seemingly impenetrable genealogical brick walls. Whether your research question is “who is my biological father?” or “who is my third-great-grandmother?”, autosomal DNA can be used to find answers about your origins.Suppose you’re looking at your DNA match list … [Read more...]
The Biological Journey of DNA Inheritance: Meiosis to Fertilization
Understanding the biologial journey of genetic inheritance can help in the interpretation of DNA evidence for genealogy research.*This article originally appeared in NGS Magazine, and is reprinted with permission.Different DNA inheritance paths can help solve genealogical mysteries. These unique inheritance patterns provide important context for interpretation of DNA test results and enable genealogical discoveries, but why is DNA inherited the way it is? What underlying biological … [Read more...]
DNA to the Rescue! Solving an Irish Genealogy “Brick Wall”
A case study that demonstrates how to use document evidence in conjunction with DNA evidence to resolve an Irish genealogy "brick wall". *Shared with client permissionResearchers with Irish ancestors have often thrown up their hands in despair when they learn about the massive record loss on that small island. Knowing one’s birthdate or even one’s age was not an Irish cultural value until well into the 20th century, which further complicates Irish research. “Crossing the pond” to document … [Read more...]
The Journey of DNA’s Inheritance Paths: X-DNA and Autosomal DNA
The stories in this article demonstrate how X-DNA and autosomal DNA can be used to solve research problems based on DNA inheritance patterns.*This article originally appeared in NGS Magazine, and is reprinted with permissionThe DNA in humans today has taken a far- ranging journey from ancestors of long ago. The stories in this column demonstrate how DNA can be used to solve research problems based on inheritance patterns. Each human has DNA, a biological code that affects many physical, … [Read more...]
Shocking Ethnicity Estimate Leads to Life-Altering Discovery
A surprising ethnicity estimate leads Tom to explore the possibility that the father who raised him was not his biological father.Sometimes, genetic genealogy test results don’t fit with what you might expect given what you know (or think you know) about your family tree. These anomalies can sometimes be explained by the way in which estimates are generated. Other times, surprising ethnicity results are instead due to cases of recent misattributed parentage. Such was the case with Tom. We … [Read more...]
The Journey of DNA’s Inheritance Paths: mtDNA and Y-DNA
DNA has taken a far-ranging journey from our ancestors of long ago. The stories in this article demonstrate how mtDNA and Y-DNA can be used to solve research problems based on DNA inheritance patterns.*This article originally appeared in NGS Magazine, and is reprinted with permission.Each human has DNA, a biological code that affects many physical, emotional, and behavioral characteristics. Humans inherit copies of DNA from their parents, who in turn inherited portions of DNA from their … [Read more...]
Are You Set Up for Success? 4 Tips to Get the Most from Your 23andMe DNA Test
Are you set up for success? We share four tips to help you get the most from your 23andMe DNA test.The popularity of DNA testing in recent years has resulted in a tremendous increase in the numbers of testers in the DNA companies’ databases. Those testers represent a wide spectrum of motivations, genealogy experience, and understanding of test results. But regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, one thing is certain: everyone wants something in return for their investment. So how can you … [Read more...]
The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Y-DNA Testing
What is Y-DNA testing, and what is it used for? We'll explain the who, what, where, when why, and how of Y-DNA testing, and its applications for genealogy.DNA testing for genealogy has become really popular in the past few years, and incredible discoveries are being made through DNA testing that in many cases, could not be made any other way. Most of the recent attention has been on autosomal testing. However, Y-DNA testing also provides great genealogical value, and while more limited in … [Read more...]