Modern methods for tracing family history by genetic testing continues to grow in popularity for a variety of purposes. The demand has fueled several genealogy-based DNA analysis companies as FamilyTreeDNA, an online service where one can submit ones personal sample of DNA from saliva via a test kit to add to the database.
To date there are nearly 3000 surname projects that have started through this one companys testing. Most common because of its simplicity and inexpensiveness is the Y-chomosome test. This establishes whether two males share a common male ancestor. For information regarding ancestry of females, a female must link to a tested male through conventional family genealogy documentation.
Information on maternal lines without effect of spouses can be determined by the more expensive and elaborate mtDNA test. This establishes relationship to a female ancestor for both males and females.
A Native American or African American male or female ancestor can fairly easily be established by the Y-test or mtDNA test, respectively.
Results of DNA testing yields surprises and sometimes shatter preconceived notions and myths about social, racial and economic backgrounds.
Dr. Rick Kittles, a geneticist at Howard University in DC who started the company African Ancestry, Inc. that focuses on DNA tests for African background, was surprised to find that he had strong Western European markers in his DNA transmitted through the male Y chromosome. Dr. Kittle looks black in regard to skin color.
His collaborator, Dr. Mark Shriver, who looks white, was also surprised to find that he carried strong African markers in his DNA of fairly recent historic origin. This was traced to a long lost maternal relative in the not so distant past.
Their research and its implications are summarized here.
Perhaps genetic testing could shed light on whether Emily West de Zavala had African background in her ancestry if sufficient descendants of both children with Lorenzo de Zavala and her subsequent husbands could be located and convinced to participate.
To date there are nearly 3000 surname projects that have started through this one companys testing. Most common because of its simplicity and inexpensiveness is the Y-chomosome test. This establishes whether two males share a common male ancestor. For information regarding ancestry of females, a female must link to a tested male through conventional family genealogy documentation.
Information on maternal lines without effect of spouses can be determined by the more expensive and elaborate mtDNA test. This establishes relationship to a female ancestor for both males and females.
A Native American or African American male or female ancestor can fairly easily be established by the Y-test or mtDNA test, respectively.
Results of DNA testing yields surprises and sometimes shatter preconceived notions and myths about social, racial and economic backgrounds.
Dr. Rick Kittles, a geneticist at Howard University in DC who started the company African Ancestry, Inc. that focuses on DNA tests for African background, was surprised to find that he had strong Western European markers in his DNA transmitted through the male Y chromosome. Dr. Kittle looks black in regard to skin color.
His collaborator, Dr. Mark Shriver, who looks white, was also surprised to find that he carried strong African markers in his DNA of fairly recent historic origin. This was traced to a long lost maternal relative in the not so distant past.
Their research and its implications are summarized here.
Perhaps genetic testing could shed light on whether Emily West de Zavala had African background in her ancestry if sufficient descendants of both children with Lorenzo de Zavala and her subsequent husbands could be located and convinced to participate.
