William Holland, a genealogical researcher from Atlanta, dances to the left of Fon Angwafo III, the king of the Mankon tribal group in Cameroon, during a ceremony

When William Holland traveled from Atlanta to Cameroon to dig into his family roots, the quest succeeded beyond his wildest dreams: A blend of genetic testing and genealogical
sleuthing connected him with one of the West African nation’s royal families. The king of Mankon, a region in Cameroon, embraced Holland so completely that the American was ceremonially given the name of the king’s father.

read more:http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/01/5916155-family-roots-get-tangled-up-in-africa/a>

Are you on the search not only for your ancestors, but a solid understanding of how this DNA- genealogy works? You might identify with someone we talked with recently. Here is her story.

While watching TV one night, our friend saw a special program describing how DNA can be used to trace ancestry. Intrigued, she went to her computer and searched for DNA testing companies. Not knowing anything about any of them, she picked a name she recognized and ordered a kit. The kit came, she sent it back, and waited eagerly for the results.

When the results arrived, she read the report, searched for matches, learned a little bit, but wanted more information and better explanations. She went back to her computer and ultimately landed on GeneTree.com. She created a free GeneTree account, added her DNA profile, and began to explore the website. The tutorials answered her general questions, but she still wanted more information on her specific results. Was there anything more?

When she called GeneTree and asked that question, we offered to give her DNA results a makeover. They got a fresh look as part of a personalized GeneTree report. Her results didn’t come from GeneTree, but she received an understandable summary of DNA fundamentals, an explanation of her personal results, and suggestions for next steps just as if she had ordered a GeneTree test in the first place.

It was exactly what she was looking for!

Her excitement was overflowing as she told us of her plans use her GeneTree report as a reference guide. She was thrilled to have her report in hand to give to family members who know nothing about DNA or genealogy – and help them learn more about the ancestors they share with her. Now she was on the right track to use DNA in her personal genealogy research.

Are you ready for a different take on your DNA results? Contact us about a DNA Makeover for yourself. It just might be the change you are looking for.

We would love to hear about your experience on GeneTree! Let us know what you have learned from using your previous DNA results on GeneTree and enter to win a free DNA Makeover just by submitting your story!

Hours: 8am–5pm MDT (GMT -6)
Outside the US: +1.801.428.1095
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Email: info@genetree.com

If you are a GeneTree member with Certified* DNA test results, you can easily identify relatives in your pedigree with those whom you share certain portions of your DNA. By inviting these relatives to join GeneTree they will automatically have the option to “inherit” your DNA profile(s) into their accounts, and can use them in all of GeneTree’s on-line genetic-genealogy tools without having to be tested themselves.

GeneTree members who have not yet obtained Certified results can also benefit from this new service. When you log on to your GeneTree account and visit the DNA section, you will be notified if you have relatives in your family tree having Certified GeneTree test results with whom you share DNA. You can request to “inherit” these DNA test results into your GeneTree account and use them as your own. Alternatively, you can purchase a Certified DNA test to share with your family members. Some families chip in money to have one person tested and then share the results.

Please keep in mind that “inherited” DNA profiles are only correct when shared with biological relatives. Thus, GeneTree members with pedigrees including non-biological relatives should use caution when sharing DNA profiles. Additionally, while “inherited” DNA profiles from biological relatives are typically reliable they are still estimates**. For this reason, “inherited” profiles are posted in GeneTree accounts as “Uncertified”. The most accurate DNA test results come from a personal test. If you would like to ensure the highest accuracy when utilizing the DNA features of GeneTree please purchase a Certified DNA test.

We invite you to take advantage of GeneTree’s new “inheritance” service to enhance your family’s ability to connect and collaborate in discovering your common history.

*”Certified GeneTree DNA Results” signify a GeneTree Test or unlocked DNA results from SMGF. If the results have been hand entered or imported through inheritance, the results are “Uncertified”.

** DNA mutations can cause slight differences between relatives’ DNA test results. The more distant the biological relationship the greater likelihood mutations have occurred. Additionally, slight variations in sample quality and/or laboratory conditions can result in differences reported between relatives’ mtDNA poly-C regions. Inaccurate pedigree information can also result in false “inheritance”