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Hiring a DNA Testing Company: Difference between revisions
→What is DNA?: Added information and links
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DNA testing has become an accepted tool for identifying ancestors and for verifying genealogical leads. It is also used frequently to learn about our deep ancestry. Testing your family DNA sometimes results in finding cousins who may have more genealogical information than you. | DNA testing has become an accepted tool for identifying ancestors and for verifying genealogical leads. It is also used frequently to learn about our deep ancestry. Testing your family DNA sometimes results in finding cousins who may have more genealogical information than you. | ||
== What is DNA? == | |||
To better understand DNA testing it is helpful to have a basic understanding of how DNA is inherited. [http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/ Click here to learn more about how DNA works] . | |||
DNA is based on the 46 chromosomes that every human being has (with few exceptions). The sex-determining chromosomes are X from the mother and either X or Y from the father. If X from the father, the child is female (XX) and if Y from the father the child is male (XY). The Y-chromosome can be traced from father to son to son and so on. | |||
In addition, each human being carries a genetic molecule in their cells called the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This genetic component is found in organelles called mitochondria, which produce energy for the hosting cell. mtDNA is inherited exclusively along the mother side. Both males and females carry mtDNA, but only women will pass their mtDNA to their children. Both mtDNA and Y DNA can go back hundreds of years, because of their slow mutation rate. They can be used to help verify or find direct maternal or paternal lines. | |||
Autosomal DNA is the DNA found on the rest of your 44 chromosomes. It is a mix of all your ancestor lines not just your direct maternal or paternal line. Autosomal usually shows about 6-7 generations back. | |||
[[Image:DNA Double Helix.png|right|300px|DNA Double Helix.png]] | [[Image:DNA Double Helix.png|right|300px|DNA Double Helix.png]] | ||
== Getting Started == | == Getting Started with DNA Testing == | ||
CeCe Moore's "DNA Testing for Genealogy - Getting Started" series is a great place for beginners. Read her posts at the Geni blog: | CeCe Moore's "DNA Testing for Genealogy - Getting Started" series is a great place for beginners. It is also great for helping to decide which type of DNA test to do. Read her posts at the Geni blog: | ||
*[http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-one-375984.html Part 1] | *[http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-one-375984.html Part 1] | ||
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== DNA Testing Companies == | == DNA Testing Companies == | ||
Some major commercial DNA testing companies are listed below in alphabetical order. Please visit their websites to learn more about their services: | Some major commercial DNA testing companies are listed below in alphabetical order. Please visit their websites to learn more about their services: | ||
[https://www.23andme.com/ 23 and Me] | |||
*[ | * Autosomal (with paternal and maternal Haplogroup assignment) | ||
*[ | * Ability to connect with people who are DNA matches | ||
*[http://www.oxfordancestors.com/ Oxford Ancestors] | [https://www.ancestry.com/dna AncestryDNA] | ||
* Autosomal | |||
* Ability to connect with people who are DNA matches | |||
[http://dnaconsultants.com/ DNA Consulting] | |||
* STR markers (form of autosomal) | |||
* Y-DNA (25 markers) | |||
* mtDNA | |||
[https://www.familytreedna.com/ FamilyTree DNA] | |||
* Autosomal | |||
* mtDNA (with maternal Haplogroup) | |||
* Y-DNA (37 markers through 111 markers with paternal Haplogroup) | |||
* Ability to connect with people who are DNA matches | |||
[https://www.myheritage.com/dna MyHeritage] | |||
* Autosomal | |||
* Ability to connect with people who are DNA matches | |||
[http://www.oxfordancestors.com/ Oxford Ancestors] | |||
* mtDNA (with maternal Haplogroup) | |||
* Y-DNA (26 markers with paternal Haplogroup) | |||
* Ability to connect with people who are DNA matches | |||
== Public DNA Databases == | == Public DNA Databases == | ||
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*[http://www.familytreedna.com/public/spencer/default.aspx Spencer DNA Project] | *[http://www.familytreedna.com/public/spencer/default.aspx Spencer DNA Project] | ||
*[http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/biggs Biggs DNA Project] | *[http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/biggs Biggs DNA Project] | ||
== DNA in the news == | == DNA in the news == | ||