Genetic Genealogy

 

Late last year (2006) I submitted some cheek scrapings to FamilyTreeDNA, one of the foremost DNA testing companies, found at http://www.familytreedna.com/. Initially my intention was to research my male line via the Y-DNA tests, which has now been completed for 37 markers. More recently I requested mtDNA testing, also, and have received the results. Since we are relatives I thought you might be interested in perusing some migratory history of our ancestral lines made available through the tests.

 

Y-DNA is only passed down from fathers to sons. Its mutation over the millennia helps shed light on migratory patterns of a male line of ancestors. Differences in Y-DNA, like separate branches of a tree, are parsed into haplogroups, mine being haplogroup I1 (eye one). (E.g. William Henry Page > Riley Preston Page > Charles Orlando Page > Howard Oswald Page/Paige > etc.)

 

The following is excerpted from the article Case Studies in Genetic Genealogy regarding how people with different surnames can have similar or the same DNA markers. It is taken from the "Facts & Genes" newsletter, Volume 6, Issue 2, April 17, 2007: Copyright 2007, Family Tree DNA:

 

"...the surname is a critical element. The surname establishes the boundary of the relationship as since the adoption of surnames. The surname rules out those relationships that are prior to the adoption of surnames. Surnames were adopted in different countries at different times. For England, "The major period of the formation of English heredity surnames was 1250-1450" (Hey, David, Family Names and Family History, Hambledon & London, London, 2000 ISBN 1-85285-255-0).

"At the time of the adoption of surnames, many men had the same or a close Y-DNA result in the ancestral country. These men were probably spread out geographically, as a result of migrations over time. They also most likely adopted different surnames. Therefore, their descendents could be a Y-DNA match today. These men would have different surnames, and be related PRIOR to the adoption of surnames."

 

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is passed down from mothers to both daughters and sons, but only the daughters can pass it along to the next generation. Its mutation over the millennia helps shed light on migratory patterns of a female line of ancestors. Differences in mtDNA, like separate branches of a tree, are parsed into haplogroups, mine being haplogroup H. (E.g. Susan (nee ) Mcclean > Mary Mcclean > Helen M. Hubbard > Nellie Mae Bliss > Jennie Louise Barnes > etc.)

 

The Genographic Project website given below goes into much greater detail than is given here and defines the various terms used.

 

 

National Geographic’s Genographic Project

 

As of January 22, 2007, my results were ready for Y-DNA12. Also that day I joined the Y-DNA part of the National Geographic’s Genographic Project. The following was excerpted from their email acknowledgement.

 

“Thank you for ordering the conversion of your results to the Genographic Project…  You can log into your personal record at the Genographic project by using your GPID at the following web page: https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html.”

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOGGING IN:  At the above website click on the tab “YOUR GENETIC JOURNEY” and then at “ENTER YOUR GENOGRAPHIC ID NUMBER” enter either ID listed below depending on which journey you wish to view. Now click “LOG IN” and have fun.

 

Male line (haplogroup I1):

My Genographic Project ID (GPID) for my Y-DNA12 (12 markers) is FW6K44V743

 

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As of March 23, 2007, my results were ready for mtDNA HVR1. Also that day I joined the mtDNA part of the National Geographic’s Genographic Project.

 

Female line (haplogroup H):

My Genographic Project ID (GPID) for my mtDNA HVR1 results is FW5Y53NJ78.

 

 

 

 

YSEARCH

 

Male line (haplogroup I1):

 

I have uploaded a GEDCOM and the results of my Y-DNA testing to ysearch at:

 

http://www.ysearch.org/

 

Welcome

Much has happened since Y-DNA testing first became available commercially through Family Tree DNA in February of 2000. Many thousands of people have tested to find family connections as well as family origins. Since then, other labs have entered this market, and the number of tested individuals is growing as the use of DNA is becoming more and more accepted as an important tool for family research, enhancing traditional genealogy research methods.

In order to allow people that have tested with the different companies to make their results available for comparison, Family Tree DNA is offering Ysearch as a free public service. We have added several tools that allow you to compare side-by-side different users - the YsearchCompare - as well as generate a Genetic Distance™ Report, and many other features, including the upload of GEDCOM files. Please enter the below User ID to search.

My ysearch ID (GPID) for my Y-DNA37 results is NYWPF

 

 

 

mitosearch

 

Female line (haplogroup H):

 

I have uploaded a GEDCOM and the results of my mtDNA testing to mitosearch at:

 

http://www.mitosearch.org/search_start.asp?uid=

 

This function compares my HVR1 mutations to the HVR1 mutations of every other user in the database. Those users whose HVR1 mutations are similar to my own are displayed. Please enter the below User ID to search.

My mitosearch ID (GPID) for my mtDNA HVR1 results is NYWPF

 

-Charles W. Paige

Created:  March 24, 2007

Last updated :  June 24, 2008

 

http://www.netmeister.net/~cpaige/index.html