As scientists unravel the genetic code, connections between distantly related people around the world are becoming clearer. Using DNA research in genealogy is quickly becoming mainstream as companies provide services for individuals to learn more about their ancestors.
How Genetic Genealogy Works
Genetic research can help illuminate ancestors and relatives by comparing specific sequences between people who might be related. Often, the scientists carrying out the procedure use mitochondrial DNA to determine if people are descended from a particular female, and Y-chromosome DNA to find those descended from a particular male. SNP tests are used to determine ethnic and geographic origins.
Individuals send their DNA, usually taken by swiping a cotton swab inside the cheek, to the scientists who then sequence the genetic code and compare it to other individuals in their database.
If the person shares a sequence with known descendants of a particular person or with people from a particular area, then it's considered a match.
Finding Famous Ancestors and Racial Identity
According to the July 6, 2004 article "Genghis Khan DNA Test Attracts Hordes of Takers" on MSNBC by Jill Lawless, up to 17 million men in Central Asia share a pattern of Y chromosomes indicating they are descendants of Genghis Khan, the infamous 13th century Mongol ruler. DNA tests, given through the company Oxford Ancestors, allow anyone to find out if they are one of those who share the Khan's lineage.
Other individuals have been tied through DNA testing to Thomas Jefferson, European royalty and even to the 5,000-year old Iceman found frozen in the Alps. Some scientists have traced all mitochondrial DNA back to one individual, now called mitochondrial Eve.
Some ethnic groups have particular gene markers that don't generally appear in the rest of the population. For example, this often occurs in Native Americans and people of Jewish ancestry. Finding these markers can be an indicator of these groups in an individual's family history.
Controversy in DNA Genealogy
Sometimes genetic genealogy brings more controversy than enlightenment. Individuals whose family stories tell of descent from a particular famous individual can be disappointed to learn that they don't actually share DNA with that person. Genetic tests can reveal infidelity in ancestors and dark secrets. Concerns over potential controversies have derailed some projects, such as a proposed effort by scientists to sequence the DNA of Chinese people supposedly descended from Confucius, according to the Seed magazine article "Inheriting Confucius" by Jane Qiu.
It's important to remember that while using DNA analysis for genealogical research is an important tool, it doesn't show the whole picture. DNA analysis can only cover one single branch of any given family tree. But the data that are revealed can help fill in some of the blanks of an otherwise mysterious genealogical history.
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