Blue Crane
Genealogy Research and Ancestry DNA Testing: Are Genetics Scientists Really Edacious Grave Diggers? by Marci Crane
You might have noticed that with the advent of the “technological age,”genealogy research is simply not what is used to be; I’m not just talking about the Internet either. Sure, the Internet has introduced genealogical interconnectivity and increased transferability that is as the French would say is “impressionnant,” but I’m not talking about the Internet or any type of hardware, at least any type of hardware that isn’t, well……..biological. Yep. Surprisingly enough, it’s your own gorgeous, carbon- based biological form that can provide vital clues to your ancestry. The technology? It’s called ancestry DNA testing and it is as true-blue as the reality of your long lost great grandfather himself.
How could ancestry DNA testing be possible?
“But,” you stammer and blink, “this cannot be.” “How can those crazy scientists compare my DNA with my ancestor’s DNA? “Are ancestry DNA testing professionals
Are ancestry DNA Testing professionals going to dig up my great grandmother’s bones?
The answer is a resounding “NOPE.” Ancestry DNA Testing professionals have been smart enough to listen to their Biology instructors and figure out a few things about DNA, your genes, your chromosomes (especially your 23rd) that will knock your genealogy socks off.
A Review of DNA, Chromosomes: Some of the Knowledge behind Ancestry DNA Testing1
DNA, although composed of dull-sounding sugar/phosphate molecules and supposedly boring nitrogenous bases, is actually a party waiting to happen. In other words, DNA is anything but boring. For instance, when DNA is all bundled up it is referred to as chromosomes which as you may remember are located in almost every human cell. There are 46 of them (once again in just about every human cell) and they are paired two by two like a little Noah’s ark chromosome movement. Your 23rd chromosome pair determines your sex. A male has a XY chromosome combination and a female has an XX. It is the Y chromosome that is continually passed from father to son that genealogists are beginning to appreciate via the ancestry DNA testing process.
How does it work?2
Let’s say for example that you are a male and that you suspect you are related to a male friend of yours who knows that some of his second cousins (twice removed) have your surname. With DNA Testing the Y chromosomes of both you and your friend can be compared and if certain attributes match, it is very likely that you and your friend are distantly related!
Ancestry DNA testing is not an uncommon as you might expect. In fact, companies have commercialized the service in a fashion that might not be too inherently different from selling bananas out of the back of a Chiquita Banana Girl truck. So, if you think you might have a common ancestor with someone you know, give ancestry DNA testing a try.
Can you trace maternal ancestors too?
Of course! With mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), lab professionals can determine whether two people (not necessarily females) have a common ancestor.
Genealogy research has indeed come a long way and genealogy research will definitely continue to grow with surprising technologies like Y-chromosome DNA Testing and mtDNA Testing.
An Unnecessary Disclaimer
Keep in mind my dear reader friend that the DNA Testing process will not result in any exact ancestor names. No. Unfortunately the lab professional in charge or your ancestry DNA testing process won’t likely come out of the laboratory and inform you that you are directly related to former Pres. Richard Nixon. However, that is one of the beauty of combining ancestry DNA testing and traditional and modern genealogical work. It is sort of a metaphor for the spirit that meets the body, the language that meets the science, and the relationships that meet the facts. The combination of discoveries and advancements from both genealogists and scientists is offering both studies more options than ever before!
1http://www.relativegenetics.com/relativegenetics/tutorial/biology101.htm
2http://www.relativegenetics.com/relativegenetics/paternal_research.htm
About the Author
Marci Crane is a web content specialist for Innuity. For more information about ancestry DNA testing and how it can relate to your own genealogy research projects, please feel free to learn more about <a href=”http:
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