Since you have come to this page you probably have questions about the application of DNA and genetic analysis to genealogy. In fact, if you are like me, you most likely have lots of questions on the subject. I will not try to answer those questions for you myself, but will help you find the DNA "experts" who can.
Below are some key topics with off-site links that I think (hope) you will find helpful.
DNA & GENEALOGY The first and perhaps best place to look for on-line answers is Family Tree DNA, the Houston, Texas, based company that runs the DNA analysis for the Smothers Project (and many other surname projects): Family Tree DNA Website Site Map
Searching for items on FT DNA site
- 67 Marker Test
- 37 Marker Test
- 25 Marker Test
- 12 Marker Test
- FT DNA DYS Markers
- Using Genetic Marker Similarity Between Two Individuals
- Understanding Matches
- Reading and Comparing Results
- Family Tree DNA Tutorial
- Chosing the Best Testing Company
- Contact Information
- What is Gedcom
- FT DNA in the News
- Competitive Pricing Chart
- Product Tests and Pricing
- Certificates and Reports
- Understanding Haplogroups
- Y-DNA Haplo Tree
- Understanding MRCA
- FT DNA Glossary
The next place to check out is Kevin Duerinck's web site, which has many helpful pages, including this discussion: Genetics & Genealogy: Y Polymorphism and mtDNA Analyses
Another good general resource is the "DNA 101" page at the Blair Project Web Site:
DNA 101: Y-Chromosome Testing (Blair DNA Project Web Site)
Also, a thorough discussion of DNA analysis results from a large, older surname project (Mumma) can be found at: Mumma Surname DNA Project Web Site
COMPARING INDIVIDUALS: Genetic Distance Analysis & Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA). This topic perhaps is the one that genealogists care most about. It is not terribly difficult to understand, once you get past all the technical jargon. Web pages with some useful discussion and links:
Introduction to Genetic Genealogy by Alan Savin
Genetics & Genealogy: Y Polymorphism and mtDNA Analyses by Kevin Duerinck
GENETIC GENEALOGY SERVICE LABORATORIES. Here are some links that list and compare various genetic laboratories that specialize in genealogy projects (as opposed to laboratories for such applications as forensics and medicine):
Ron Lindsay's Comparison of Lab Offerings
Kevin Duerinck's List of Genetic Genealogy Labs
To find out more on Genetic DNA subscribe to any or all of the following DNA rootsweb mail lists:
mtDNA - The Family of Woman
I will add more links to this Help Page as I find them.....suggestions are welcome.
DNA Index
Updated July, 2007
