Interpreting Your DNA Results
Greg came to our office recently to meet with one of our consultants. He had just received both Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA results, and wanted some personalized advice regarding what his test results meant and how he could add choose to Buy Clomid Online low cost discount drugstore Buy Nolvadex Online low price DNA into the genealogy research he was already doing. His first question as he sat down with a consultant at a computer was “What are the differences between Y and mitochondrial DNA?”
The answer to Greg’s question is Y DNA and mtDNA trace different specific family lines. Greg’s Y DNA traces his direct paternal line – his father, his father’s father, and so on, because fathers pass Y chromosomes directly to their sons. His mtDNA traces his maternal lineage – his mother, her mother, her mother, and so on, because mothers pass mtDNA to their children.
Next, Greg logged into his GeneTree account to look at his Y markers and his consultant explained that the DYS numbers are the locations on the Y chromosome that were tested. The values assigned to the DYS locations make up Greg’s personal DNA pattern.
The next step was to search for matches. When he clicked on ‘Find Matches’, the search compared his set of YDNA values to those of other men in both SMGF and GeneTree Y databases. The search results were listed with best matches first, so Greg started at the top and worked his way down, viewing the pedigree charts of his matches and looking for names and places similar to the ones in his own pedigree chart.
Greg’s DNA consultant advised him to look closely at matches where 30 or more markers were compared and there were three differences or fewer, as shown in the Matching Markers column. Greg requested a DNA connection with a 36/37 match, someone with who 37 markers had been compared and 36 markers were the same (only one difference). This match also has ancestors from the same geographic region as Greg’s family. If his DNA match is willing to communicate with him, they may be able to find an ancestral connection and help each other extend their family trees.
Greg also explored his mitochondrial results and learned that the numbers are locations on the mtDNA and the letters represent the particular marker at that location. Although his mtDNA was tested at about 1000 locations, he only sees six markers. These are his differences from a standard reference sequence, and his search for matches showed others who have the same pattern of differences. Greg wasn’t able to find any exact mtDNA matches with similar pedigree information, but he plans to check back regularly to see what new information has been added to GeneTree.
“What are my next steps?” was Greg’s last question. His consultant led him through several possibilities, including pursuing DNA connections, doing some additional genealogical research, and tracing some other family lines using the DNA of his relatives. Greg went home very excited that just one hour of consulting had opened his eyes to so many options he had not realized before. Exploring these new avenues was something he couldn’t wait to get started on.
Do you have DNA results? Are you wondering what more you can do with them? Whether you know nothing, some, or a lot about DNA, we can help you make the most of your DNA test results. Contact us to learn exactly what we can do for you and your family tree.
Hours: 8am–5pm MDT (GMT -6)
Outside the US: +1.801.428.1095
Toll Free in the US: +1.866.740.6362
Email: info@genetree.com
