DNA

Family Tree DNA, Booth 118

Family Tree DNA, pioneer in the burgeoning field of genetic genealogy, offers a range of tests that broaden the scope of traditional genealogical research.

Since 2000, FTDNA customers have used Y-DNA to follow their direct paternal lines and trace the origins of their surnames. Only men have Y chromosomes which they pass to their sons, who pass it to their sons relatively unchanged, thus assisting researchers in determining whether the connection they see on paper really exists. In addition, the Big Y test, just released at the end of February, provides more information about ancestral origins than previously available in a single test. For more information see http://www.familytreedna.com/learn/y-dna-testing/big-y/.

Exploring maternal connections is inherently more challenging, but the Full Mitochondrial Sequence reveals the presence of a common maternal ancestor. While both men and women have mtDNA, only women pass it to their children, so by sequencing it, we can connect to common maternal ancestors.

Both men and women can take the autosomal DNA test Family Finder, which looks at the DNA we got from both of our parents, 50% from each, randomly recombined from the 50% they got from each of their parents. For adoptees and donor-conceived persons, Family Finder can potentially connect testers to family with whom they likely would not have otherwise connected. See the test type information here: http://www.familytreedna.com/learn/dna-basics/.

Visit Booth 118 to learn how you can use this exciting tool to help confirm relationships, rule out unrelated lines, and connect with cousins along all family lines.

DNA