presented by Mike Witesman
on 27 February 2016
ver 16-02 16-0225 1200
IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE ANSWER, DO NOT TEST
Both DNA test results and traditional genealogical records can reveal misattributed
parentage (illegitimate births, adultery, sperm donors), previously unknown family
members, unanticipated ethnicity, … among other unexpected outcomes. OR, you
may have no matches at all. IT IS YOUR RESONSIBILITY to be informed and
understand the potential outcomes before you DNA test!
Doctors Rosalind Franklin & James Watson, + Professors Francis Crick & Maurice Wilkins
discovered the double helix structure of DNA in 1953. Today, DNA is proving to be a valuable
asset for genealogists to augment traditional research. First tests 2000 atDNA in 2010.
Stephen Morse (stevemorse.org) says “Everything you need to know about” DNA is:
.
1. Traits are determined by GENES, 2. Genes are located on CHROMOSOMES and
3. Chromosomes are composed of DNA.
We have 23 pairs of chromosomes. One of each pair is from our mother, the 2nd from father.
22 pairs are autosomes. The 23rd pair determine our sex.
Females have two X chromosomes and males have an X and a Y chromosome. Thus, the
female always contributes an X while if the male contributes an X, it is a girl, if Y, it is a boy.
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Important Terms –
"Taking You Back To Biology Class"
Genetic Genealogy – the combination of genetics & genealogy. The genetic material used
for DNA testing is “non-coding DNA” or ”junk DNA” (science has not determined its purpose ?).
Y–DNA – based on the male Y chromosome, nuclear DNA, known as surname or Y-line test.
mt DNA – (mitochondrial) small structures in the cell that contain DNA from the mother.
X–DNA – Nuclear DNA in X chromosome, always from the mother, if from father = girl baby.
at DNA = Autosomal DNA – “Combined” DNA from both parents (found in the 22 matched pairs
of chromosomes). Includes random contributions from parents, grand-parents, etc. Nuclear DNA.
Non-recombinant DNA – DNA that is inherited intact from either the mother or father (mt / Y).
Recombinant DNA – The mixing of the DNA on each chromosome that you receive from your
mother and your father, much like shuffling two decks of cards together. (Bennett Greenspan)
NEED MORE INFORMATION? – Go to learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/chromosomes/ and
Wheaton
Surname
Project
–
Beginner
Guide
to
Genetic
Genealogy
–
sites.google.com/site/wheatonsurname/beginners-guide-to-genetic-genealogy . .
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Autosomal DNA Specifics
Why You Should Test To get past a brickwall – this test addresses all ancestral lines and
can help find maiden names. atDNA can be very helpful for adoptee's (go to the
adopteddna.com website). Prove or disprove a relationship. Find maiden names.
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Why You Should NOT Test If you are not prepared to discover that deep family secret, DO
NOT TEST! Illegitimate births, unknown family members and unexpected ancestral origins are
routinely found by genealogists (i.e. NPE = Non Paternal Event / Not Parent Expected). If you
have a fear of "Big Brother" ?????
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When Do I Test? When YOU feel comfortable, and you understand the pro's and con's and
you are ready. I say today, the sooner you test the sooner you can see your matches.
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Who Should Take The Test The earliest generation is best as your atDNA is "Diluted" by
about 50% with each generation. You get 50% of your atDNA from each parent, about 25%
from each grandparent and about 12.5% from each great grandparent. atDNA segments can
be passed down as large blocks or small pieces. Larger blocks make comparison easier.
See percentages at: ISOGG Wiki / Autosomal DNA statistics http://www.isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_statistics
and from debbiewayne.com/presentations/dna/percent_DNA_inherited_chart.pdf/
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Where Do I Get The atDNA Kit? There are three primary testing labs – Family Tree DNA,
23andMe and AncestryDNA. I prefer FamilyTree DNA because they test Y, mt and atDNA and
have the "Chromosome Browser" tool. Costs are $99 to $199 and sometimes offer discounts.
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How Do You Do The Test The FTDNA test uses "scrapers" and small vials while 23andMe
and AncestryDNA utilize a collection tube for your saliva. After collection, you fill out and sign
the paperwork and mail the package back to the lab.
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What Happens? Sample analysis takes 4 to 8 weeks. Testing lab will advise when results
and matches are available. When you have a match, contact them and share your ancestors.
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What You Get When Test Is Done – Three labs in the US – all provide a glimpse of
where your ancestors came from.
FamilyTree DNA (FTDNA) = Ethnic Makeup in myOrigins, 23andMe = Ancestry Composition
& AncestryDNA = Ethnicity Estimate .
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Take these "ethnicity" results with a "Grain of Salt" as they are based on computed
probabilities and are constantly under review.
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FamilyTreeDNA also provides a "Chromosome Browser" whence you can see the segments
you match a person on and allows you to map your chromosomes .
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Porcupine Family Tree = DNA from some of your ancestors is "lost" to you through
recombination. Siblings may inherit segments that you do not .
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Tools are available to help you match your atDNA with others. You can download raw data
from testing companies as a cvs (data) file. You can upload that data at sites like Kitty Munson
Chromosome Mapper (www.haplogroup.org/chromosome-mapper-kitty-cooper/) or GEDmatch (www.gedmatch.com/).
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MIKE's Testing Advice
WHY are you testing?
What are YOU HOPING to Learn?
Is it worth your cost?
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Can others who have tested their DNA help?
YES!
Communicate with those who have already tested to avoid pitfalls and possibly save $ $ $.
Join ISOGG – Learn from others experiences! International Association of Genetic Genealogists
Formed to educate you about genetic genealogy – No Dues – have a separate email address
Fish In More Than One Pond. Consider having your atDNA tested by more than one lab.
AncestryDNA members can have their data uploaded to FTDNA for $39.
Genetic Genealogy Standards – for specifics, go to www.geneticgenealogystandards.com
Books To Read –
Genetic Genealogy: The Basics & Beyond [Paperback]
Emily Aulicino
Guide to DNA Testing [Kindle book]
Richard Hill
99¢ download
DNA & Genealogy [Paperback]
Colleen Fitzpatrick & Andrew Yeiser
DNA & Social Networking [Hardcover] Debbie Kennett published 2011
See page four for a list of blogs, websites and specific publications to expand you knowledge.
Thanks to so many "genetic genealogy experts" for their efforts to inform us all.
Questions?
Email
[email protected]
cel phone (530) 949–9422
Come to Shasta DIG ( DNA Interest Group) – email shastadig@gmail,com for notices
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Blogs, websites and publications are listed alphabetically rather than importance
Blogs
Adoption – DNA Adoption | http://www.dnaadoption.com/
Emily Aulicino | Genealem's Genetic Genealogy
http://genealem-geneticgenealogy.blogspot.com/
Jim Bartlett | Segment-ology – http://segmentology.org/
http://segmentology.org/2015/05/11/how-to-triangulate/
http://segmentology.org/2015/10/19/does-triangulation-work/
Blaine Bettinger | The Genetic Genealogist
http://thegeneticgenealogist.com/
Bettinger, Blaine & Matt Dexter I Have the Results of My Genetic Genealogy Test, Now What?
ver is 2.1 https://www.familytreedna.com/pdf-docs/Interpreting-Genetic-Genealogy-Results_web_optimized.pdf
Kitty Cooper's Blog | Musings on Genealogy, Genetics & Gardening – http://blog.kittycooper.com/
Triangulation– http://blog.kittycooper.com/2015/02/triangulation-proving-a-common-ancestor/
Deep Triangulation – http://blog.kittycooper.com/2014/01/a-deep-dna-triangulation-success-story/
Using close relatives to help triangulate –
http://blog.kittycooper.com/2014/06/another-way-totriangulate-using-close-relatives/
http://blog.kittycooper.com/2014/10/when-is-a-dna-segment-match-a-real-match-ibd-or-ibs-or-ibc/
DNA Autosomal-DNA Mailing List.
http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/other/DNA/AUTOSOMAL-DNA.html
Roberta Estes | DNAeXplained – Genetic Genealogy – http://dna-explained.com/
http://dna-explained.com/2013/06/21/triangulation-for-autosomal-dna/
Michelle Goodrum | http://turning-of-generations.blogspot.com/
& http://www.theindepthgenealogist.com/
CeCe Moore | Your Genetic Genealogist
http://www.yourgeneticgenealogist.com/
Stephen Morse - stevemorse.org (One-Step Webpages) – "From DNA to Genetic Genealogy"
Steve Perkins | On-Line Journal of Genetic Genealogy – http://jgg-online.blogspot.com/
Judy G. Russell | The Legal Genealogist – http://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/category/dna/
Diahan Southard | Your DNA Guide – http://yourdnaguide.com
Debbie Parker Wayne | Deb’s Delvings in Genealogy – http://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/
Other Websiteses
AncestryDNA – http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/category/dna
The Family Tree DNA Learning Center – https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/glossary/
Genographic Project – National Geographic Magazine – Geno 2.0
https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/science-behind/genetics-overview/
ISOGG wiki – http://www.isogg.org/wiki/
Merck Manual Consumer Version
http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/fundamentals/genetics/genes_and_chromosomes.html
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