How to Trace Family History Through DNA Testing

Tracing family roots through DNA

Documentaries, such as PBS's "Faces of America" and "African American Lives" series, have helped to bring the idea of using DNA testing to trace family roots to the forefront. More people are beginning to recognize DNA testing as yet another tool at their disposal for performing genealogical research. The science behind using DNA testing for this purpose is still evolving, but it's already come a long way. For example, organizations have worked, and continue to work, to create DNA databases based on geography. By cross-referencing your DNA with information recorded in these databases, you can trace your family's geographical roots.

Instructions

1. Take an mtDNA test. All of your mtDNA comes exclusively from your maternal line. Your mtDNA is a copy of your mother's mtDNA. Your mother inherited her mtDNA from her mother, and so on down your maternal line. Certain types of mtDNA tests can help you pinpoint the geographic regions where your maternal ancestors most likely came from. It can also help you map the migration patterns of your maternal line. Use the resource links in this article to connect to organizations that can perform the maternal "Ancestral Lineage" test.

2. Perform a Y-DNA test. The Y chromosome acts as a record for the paternal ancestry. It passes exclusively from father to son as a nearly identical copy of itself. A Y-DNA test can be used to help you pinpoint the geographic regions where your paternal ancestors most likely came from. It can also help you map the migration patterns of your paternal line. Women cannot take this test. Women will have to enlist a brother, or paternal uncle, or son of a paternal uncle to take the test in order to trace this part of your family line through DNA. Use the resource links in this article to connect to organizations that can perform the paternal "Ancestral Lineage" test.

3. Carry out a traditional family history research investigation using official records as your source (census records; property records; immigration records; birth, death, and marriage certificates; and so forth). You can then use Y-DNA testing to confirm a connection to a paternal line in the areas of your records research where the paper trail is not that strong. Use the resource links in this article to connect to organizations that can perform the "Surname" test.

4. Do an autosomal DNA test. The autosomal DNA test functions as a relative finder. You get to put your DNA in a database that will crosscheck your DNA with the other members in an organizations database to determine if you share an ancestor with any of them within a certain generational timeframe and through what ethnic line. You can use this test to connect with long lost cousins. Use the resource links in this article to connect to organizations that can perform the "Relative Finder" test.

Tips & Warnings

• The autosomal DNA test may be particularly useful to you if you are adopted. It can help you establish a connection to a family bloodline.

References

• DNAHeritage.com: FAQs
• PBS: Build a Family Tree (Y-DNA )
• PBS: Tracing Ancestry with MtDNA

Resources

• Genebase: Test Autosomal DNA, Y-DNA & mtDNA
• 23 and ME: Ancestral Lineage
• 23 and ME: Relative Finder
• Family Tree DNA: Relative Finder
• DNAHeritage.com: Surname Project