How Does DNA Ancestry Testing Work?
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Maternal and Paternal DNA
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DNA testing for a paternal line of ancestry differs from testing for a maternal line. Only males directly descending through a male line may test for and establish paternal history. Females do not possess the Y-chromosome needed to test for paternal history. Mitochondrial DNA is passed to both males and females from female ancestors, and testing for this type of DNA will trace maternal lines only.
Testing
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DNA testing may be done in a testing facility, or a kit can be mailed to individuals. DNA is found in all cells, and the most common cell sample used in ancestry DNA testing is a saliva sample. An individual uses a sterile swab or scraper in the mouth on the inside of the cheek. The sample is then placed in a sterile packet and mailed directly to the DNA testing center. To ensure accurate results, it's important that test items used are supplied by a DNA testing center and that they remain sterile until used.
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Results
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The test results are sent to participating individuals and will list numbered markers that indicate patterns or repetition when compared to other family trees and genealogical lines. More patterns or matches in the marker or number sequence may positively identify ancestors, geographical starting points and migration routes. Many DNA ancestry testing companies have online databases where an individual may upload and compare his test results with other participants around the world, possibly tying together otherwise unknown lineages.
Accuracy
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According to the National Institutes of Health Human Genome Project, genetic variations in a distinct population may be as varied as genetic samples taken from individuals from different areas. Genetic mutations, migratory patterns and the merging of different ethnic groups may offer different results than ancestry researchers anticipate, but DNA similarities are more accurate when a large DNA database is used and more DNA markers are used in testing.
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