Is it worth getting a DNA test to search my family tree?

Question

I've been reading many websites that say you can trace your family origins using DNA testing, how effective is this? and what is your personal experience of using this method?

Answer 1

Yes, it is very effective and the best companies will retest until they get a conclusive result.

If you have, say, just the first 12 markers tested($149 with FTDNA), that will give an indication of where you originated, the more markers you test on, the more information is gained, if you test on the maximumum of, say 67 markers ($349 with FTDNA), it is possible then to find a match to someone else carrying your own, or a different surname, and to prove a link where perhaps no "paper trail" exists. It can therefore pinpoint a place in which your ancestors probably lived in recent history but DNA does not, obviously,

have a surname attached to it, surnames have only been used for around 700 years and of course your DNA originated 10s of thousands of years ago. You can also have a SNP test which will help show the migratory pattern of your ancient ancestors, having said that, you can join a Surname project (e.g. with FTDNA) and receive discounted prices on your tests.

I recommend that you make yourself aware of the various tests available, and the costs with each testing company.

Plus, check out what is available to you after you have tested.

I used Family Tree DNA ,they were the first in the field (founded in 1999), have the largest data base, and do the testing for the National Geographic's Genome project, their "after sales" is excellent and I consider they are the best, but you have to make your own decision on that.

http://www.familytreedna.org

A previous poster has mentioned that DNA will not tell you which countries you are from, "countries" did not exist in the time of our early DNA any more than "nations" or "nationality", hence the reason why only areas of origin can be put forward, but it is possible with most Haplogroups to be quite specific about the regions in which your ancestors have lived, by looking at mutations which have occured to make you a particular haplotype within your haplogroup, it does not mean that because a mutation occured in say, the Caucasus Mountains, 6000 years ago, you are of Russian descent, the "Russians" did not exist at that time, prior to that period 6000 years ago your ancestors may have been in what is now known as the Himalayan region of Asia, it cannot be claimed that you are of Tibetan or Indian origin, neither of those peoples existed at that time, several thousands of years earlier still, the ancestors of those in the Himalayas left what is now known as the continent of Africa, only those peoples who never left Africa can now, honestly, call themselves African. We are in reality mostly a mixture of many parts !!! What I have outlined here is my own  Y-Dna ancestry, my family have been, for at least the last 700 years, English.......or are we ?

Answer 2

It's good if you want to know the origins of your bloodline. A DNA test will show you what continents contributed to your genetic makeup. I don't think it;s able to tell you from what countries your ancestors were from, as their classifcations are things like "Sub-Saharan African", "Native American", "European" etc.

It won't help you locate your ancestors. It cannot pinpoint from which area you're predominantly from. People think that it will tell them everything, but they're mistaken.

So basically, if you want the quick answer to your ancestry, go for the DNA test. It will get you there within 10 days, but in my opinion it will leave you asking more questions than you originally had! If you want to find out about what your ancestors did, where they lived, and what relationships they had, or if they made their mark on the history books, then go the long route and investigate through the historical records.

I recently learned that if I wanted to take a DNA test, they could only test me for my maternal line (ie, the line of women in my family), because men do not pass on their gene to daughters. Women pass their genes to both sons and daughters, therefore men can be tested for both their maternal and paternal lines, but if you're a woman, you have to ask a father or a brother to do the test for you. Sucks for me!

Answer 3

It is probably pretty good at finding out where your family originates.  All the tests I  have seen are at least $199.00.  If you have a wide variety of nationalities like I do, it is easier than doing all the research involved with researching your family tree.

If you find a DNA test that is less than $199.00, please post it , thanks

I think you're right , some people don't understand your question.  Digging someone up isn't necessary.    In many places genealogy has records of the local DNA, and those records are what your DNA is compared to.

Answer 4

No. I just look out my window and I can see two black men in my familys tree.

Answer 5

no,

   it is no at all worthy beause the people wit who we live is ur family.

after knowing ur blood relations it may make ur life miserable

make many changes in youe life.make ur present relations hurt .

Answer 6

You already read for yourself, and you understand, that testing identifies HAPLOGROUPS.  Which are broad groups from perhaps a thousand years ago.

If you are speaking in terms of tracing your family tree.. then these two approaches are totally different.  Family trees concern your individual ancestry.. by verification of persons, exact dates and places and their known relationship to you. In some limited circumstances (by comparing two "known" lines), you can use dna to back up paper evidence.

Is it WORTH it?? That's your call.  My opinion is that it tells me nothing I probably didn't already know. I would not consider it to be a family tree at all.  Identifying the actual ancestors, knowing about their lives, etc., to ME.. is what genealogy is about.

Answer 7

actually if your read your original question, even with the additional details, you are asking about your tree/origins not genetic heritage.

Answer 8

Err.... it would also mean getting everyone who is potentially a family memeber tested as well, so no. It's only usefule if you want to find out if a particular person is related to you, and you're both willing to be tested.

Answer 9

Hi,

Whilst having your DNA identified, are you then going to have potential ancestors exhumed from their graves in search of a match ?

It is not a practical thing to do. Better off with records.

I am back to 1762 with my lot, and discovered I am about 214th in line to the Earl of Tavistock, but I am not going to dig the poor soul up to prove it !

Bob