The National Institute for Genealogical Studies is proud to announce our latest DNA course, DNA: Autosomal DNA – Testing For Everyone
Dna by dream designs Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net
Genetic genealogy is quickly becoming a handy tool in the savvy genealogist’s tool box. As a savvy genealogist you need to be aware of many things before you can wield it properly. There are ethical concerns at the foremost besides the scientific understanding. What test should you use when and why is the largest consideration. Not everything can be treated as a nail so understanding the field of genetic genealogy is the key to successfully choosing which tool is best.
There are three tests you can take for genetic genealogy. The most common is autosomal, that now includes X-Chromosome analysis. Next comes the test for paternal lineage (yDNA) and the test for maternal lineage (mtDNA). It is important to make sure you know which test you want to take and what that test can tell you before you proceed in testing.
Autosomal or Admixture DNA (atDNA) is the most frequently taken genetic genealogy test on the market. With one test you can learn about your paternal and maternal families as well as your combined ethnic origins. While amazing, there are a few caveats to this.
Mainly, it only tells you about the DNA that was passed down to you, which, with the way inheritance works in genetics, is less and less material each generation. This also applies to your ethnic background. You may know, on paper, your 2nd great-grandmother was German. Genetically however, you may be hard pressed to any trace of her large enough to show up through testing.
Through this course we are going to examine what atDNA is, how it is passed down to you, and what a genetic genealogy test will tell you. You will discover that atDNA is a wonderful tool for unlocking your hidden past when combined with traditional paper genealogy.
To learn more about this course authored by Shannon Combs Bennett or register, see our website.
