Genealogy is a field of study to learn a person’s family history. Genealogy testing refers to DNA testing that involves using genetic DNA information to determine the lineage and pedigree of a person. Also known as genetic ancestry testing, genealogy testing includes examining and evaluating a person’s DNA variations to find clues that link them back to their ancestors.

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Genealogy tells a person about their lineage and ancestors and helps to find distant relations that might be somewhere in another part of the world like 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th cousins. Besides that, people with the same backgrounds can also share various genetic variation patterns.

What is Genealogical DNA Testing?

Genealogical testing is a DNA-based testing method. It focuses on the particular location of a genome in a person. This is because it helps in discovering and proving the ancestral relationships of a person. While all this information may sound complex to comprehend and memorize, the actual studies and scientific data are way more complicated than this.

Genealogical testing also allows experts to locate a person’s genome to determine their mix of ethnicities. Since old races and ethnicities populated different regions, migrated, and varied greatly, the estimates are merely a close assumption based on the present data.

Moreover, companies that perform ethnicity testing use different testing techniques and methods, which can cause relative variations in the test results. For genealogical testing, there are three fundamental forms of genealogical studies.

Types of Genealogical Testing

·       Autosomal Testing

Autosomal DNA testing yields multiple DNA matches of both females and males, considering they hired the same company for testing. Every match may depict a distant relation of some kind, including close family matches or cousins of the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd degree, or more. Usually, experts regard the 6^th cousin or further the most distant relationship degree. Nonetheless, making precise conclusions over close relations of individuals with each other is not so easy.

You have to realize the random nature of the tests, which suggest that any person can inherit any type and amount of DNA from their ancestors (common lineage). However, genealogical research and family-tree sharing help experts interpret the results of those test subjects whose DNAs match as close or slightly distant relations. Overall, the use of autosomal tests is to determine the ethnic mix of a person.

·       Y-chromosome Testing

Y-chromosome DNA testing can help find your lineage directly into the male line. Since y-chromosomes pass down from grandfather and father to son, there are significant variations as well. Moreover, this type of DNA testing method in genealogy only pertains to males as females do not have the y-chromosome.

Still, if a female is curious about their y-chromosome test results, they may recruit a close male relative such as a brother to take the test. What’s rather interesting is that y-chromosomes transfer from generation to generation, similar to the surnames. Hence, it can be quite helpful in learning whether two families with the same surname have an ancestral relationship.

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·       Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Testing

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP or SNPs) involves evaluating nearly all the genetic variations that are present in a person’s genome. Experts compare the follow-up test results with others who have already taken the tests to estimate their ethnic background. While this complex and highly time-taking DNA-based testing can be intricate, it can give you a fair idea of your ancestral background and what ethnicity mix you are.

For instance, SNPs are effective because they determine a person’s overall ethnic (ancestral) background. You might learn that a person is 60% African, 10% Asian, and 30% European. While this still doesn’t clear an individual’s ancestral line, it gives an idea of the ethnic mix compared to the mitochondrial and y-chromosome DNA test results.

·       Mitochondrial DNA Testing

Both genders have mitochondria DNA which is somewhat the own DNA of the mitochondria other than that which is present in the center (nucleus) of the cells. While both genders have it, the mitochondrial DNA passes down only from the mother, so you might be able to determine your maternal line. It helps learn your lineage through the female ancestral line because of the female ancestors records that are near negligible in the form of documentation.

Genealogy Testing: Conclusion

Are you in the search to find your ancestral line and lineage? Genealogical DNA testing can help you learn about your distant relationships in different ethnicities and your ancestral background. If you want to get the best DNA testing services, you should contact AB DNA Testing.

We not only offer a range of DNA testing services but also provide personalized and individualized care to every patient. With the highest accuracy, we deliver reliable test results for legal or personal issues. Give us a call at 718-701-0292 to schedule an appointment at our testing facilities today. Visit us at 63-11 Queens Blvd. Woodside, NY 11377.

Reference Links:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/genealogy
https://researchguides.plattsburgh.edu/genealogy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genealogy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/genealogy