Ancestry DNA testing is becoming a popular option for genealogists worldwide. No matter your ethnic background or situation, there are genealogy tests that are right for you. Here are a few profiles of people who are using genetic testing to understand their ancestry, lineage and ethnicity.
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Howard, an African-American Man
Howard is an African-American man interested in learning more about his ethnic heritage. He has several options:
- Y-DNA test to trace his paternal lineage
- mtDNA test to trace his maternal lineage
- Autosomal DNA test to estimate his ethnic makeup (admixture) or top population matches
Adam, Jewish Man
Adam wants to know if he shares a common ancestor with others who practice the same oral tradition of Cohanim (Kohanim). He’d also like to find other people whose genetic profiles identify them as having Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish ancestry. These are his options:
Emily, White (Caucasian) Woman of European Descent
Emily has been reconstructing her family tree for a while and would like to find others with matching genetic profiles to fill in the missing pieces. She has tried conventional genealogy using paper records, both public and private, and is ready to try DNA testing. Here are her options:
- mtDNA testing to trace her maternal lineage
- Y-DNA testing of her brother to trace her paternal lineage
- X-STR test to compare X-chromosomal haplotype blocks
Elaine, White Adopted Woman
Elaine was adopted at birth and does not have access to her
adoption records. She is particularly interested in knowing about her ancestry
because of the potential implications it might have for her health. She knows
that certain ethnic groups, such as the Ashkenazi Jewish population, have a
higher incidence of certain diseases and wants to know how her genetic profile
matches with others. These are Elaine’s testing options:
- mtDNA testing to trace her maternal lineage
- Autosomal DNA testing for ethnic make-up (admixture) or top population matches
Colleen, Mixed Race Woman
Colleen is a mixed-race woman whose family tree includes relatives of several ethnicities. She would like to know more about the ethnic heritage of her distant relatives on both her mother's and father's sides. Here are Colleen's testing options:
- mtDNA testing to trace her maternal lineage
- Y-DNA testing of a male relative to trace her paternal lineage
- Autosomal DNA testing for ethnic make-up (admixture) or top population matches
