Tracing Your Ancestry through DNA

Some people wonder why Africa is called the “cradle of civilization.” Then they discover an amazing fact: scientific breakthroughs show that all humans shared a common ancestor who came from there more than 65,000 years ago.

As people branched out from the depths of Africa into the Middle East, Asia, North America and other parts of the world, they mutated, and now, through DNA testing, each mutation can link a person (or family group) to a specific time and place.

In 2006, the Wall Street Journal described DNA testing as the “hottest tool in genealogy that is helping open many new doors to the past…”

It’s certainly something for any adventurous genealogist to explore.

There are many ways people can participate in genealogical research using these new scientific breakthroughs. DNA testing is fast becoming an exciting and fast-growing branch of genealogical research as more people begin to use it to trace their family’s roots.

Just typing “DNA” (which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid – as though anyone cares!) and “genealogy” in the same Internet search line brings up a number of ongoing scientific projects. People may participate in many of these using online laboratories – with costs varying according to how much testing you want to do. You simply order testing materials online and return your samples to the lab in the mail.

Most of the tests are done by a simple swabbing of the cells in the mouth. The cells are then analyzed and the DNA from each is compared to various specific groups until matches are found. We’ve all heard a lot about DNA in recent years; how it can prove who is a child’s biological father; and even how DNA technology has served to prove some prisoners innocent of the crimes for which they were incarcerated.

But even though we’ve heard a lot about DNA, most of us don’t know what it is or how it works.

So how can knowing about DNA help a genealogist locate his or her ancestors?

Except for egg and sperm cells, every human cell contains a nucleus of 23 chromosomes which contain all the hereditary traits passed through a family.

Each chromosome is a tiny blueprint that holds a specific genetic code and every person – except for identical twins- has a different code.

Testing labs can trace one or both sides of someone’s genealogy back to the area of his roots through either the mother or father’s side of the genetic code, depending upon how much that person wants to pay. Technicians can also tell if others with your same surname are related to you through more specific tests.

The results of DNA tests such as these can converge many searchers who can then share their results, creating many more limbs on a family tree.