Most genealogists have heard a little about how genetic testing can help prove, verify, or even disprove a pedigree or difficult research problem. Thanks to Dr. Ugo A. Perego's webinar yesterday, we all now know a lot more about what to expect from a DNA test. And thanks to a new partnership we've recently made with Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation and GeneTree.com, these DNA kits are now available to purchase from our online store.
Two different types of tests are available. The Y-DNA test helps you learn about your paternal line and the mtDNA test helps you learn about your maternal line. Here's the extended descriptions:
Enhanced Paternal Lineage Test (Y-DNA 46 marker)
Testing your Y-DNA is an ideal way to learn more about your direct paternal line (the lineage connecting you to your father, your father to his father, and so on). You receive your Y-DNA profile of 46 markers and a Y-DNA haplogroup prediction. Use your haplogroup prediction to discover the early origins and migrations of your paternal ancestors. Use your Y-DNA profile to find DNA cousins in GeneTree’s genetic-genealogy database. Any person you find with a matching Y-DNA profile is your paternal relative, some distant, some recent. By contacting and collaborating with your DNA matches, you can investigate, verify, and discover more information about your paternal line. This test is available to males only. Price: $179.
Click here for more information or to purchase.
Enhanced Maternal Lineage Test (mtDNA HVR-1,2,3)
Testing your mtDNA is an ideal way to learn more about your direct maternal line (the lineage connecting you to your mother, your mother to her mother, and so on). You receive your mtDNA profile and mtDNA haplogroup prediction. Use your haplogroup prediction to discover the early origins and migrations of your maternal ancestors. Use your mtDNA profile to find DNA cousins in GeneTree’s genetic-genealogy database. Any person you find with a matching mtDNA profile is your maternal relative, some distant, some recent. By contacting and collaborating with your DNA matches, you can investigate, verify, and discover more information about your maternal line. This test is available to males and females. Price: $179.
Click here for more information or to purchase.
Is Griffin Brown part of MY family?
Some of you think I talk about my Brown families too much. I probably do, but I've learned more about genealogy by studying the Browns then by any other way. And now I hope to use DNA testing to solve a brick wall.
Asa Brown had four known children by his first wife, Elizabeth. I know who children two and four are, but children one and three are still a mystery. I believe that child three is Griffin Brown, but have not yet proved it. The way I see it, I have two choices. First, I can continue with traditional research methods to prove or disprove his position in the family or second, I can use genetic testing to prove or disprove his position in the family. Let's say that through genetic testing I learn that Griffin does NOT belong to the family. Case closed. Now I can use my resources to try to find the real child number three. I suspect, however, that the tests will show that Griffin does belong to the family. So while the price of a DNA test seems a bit high, it could save me years (and hundreds or thousands of dollars) of chasing after the wrong guy.
So this is my plan. I need to identify a living, male, Brown descendant of either child #2 (Nathan ) or child #4 (Lorenzo) and have his Y-DNA tested. Then I would compare that DNA with that of a living, male, Brown descendant of child #3 (Griffin). If the DNA matches up, then I know that Griffin does in fact belong. Make sense?
I'll let you know what I learn. And if you see a guy dancing in the street, it just might be me doing my latest Genealogy Happy Dance.
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