DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

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DNA can unlock genealogical mysteries

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/living/8011985.htm

Posted on Sun, Feb. 22, 2004

DNA can unlock genealogical mysteries

DNA testing, a technique we hear about daily in criminal investigations, has also been affecting genealogical research for the past few years.

Slowly, people who have been puzzled by uncertain lineage are seeing genealogy DNA analysis as a possible breakthrough.

The most common application is Y-chromosome testing for people with the same surname. Y-DNA is passed from father to son through the generations. Therefore, men with the same paternal lineage would share the same genetic patterns. People who undertake this type of a DNA project usually have one of several motives. They might want to prove whether all people of a certain surname have common roots or whether people with the same surname can be grouped into different families.

They might want to determine whether two or more families in various geographical areas share a common ancestor. Or, they may want to solve the questionable paternity of an ancestor.

There are an estimated 800 surname projects ongoing at various laboratories and others are being planned. Among the most recent is a Creel search, initiated by several men who are seeking others who have an unbroken Creel line as far back as early Colonial times. For information, e-mail [e-mail]. Another recent project is seeking people of Munro descent. For information, e-mail Margaret Bardin, [e-mail], or DeAnn Monroe Steely, [e-mail].

Some people who are curious about their deeper origins want to learn if that legendary Indian princess is really part of their family tree, or their percentage of European, African or Asian blood. Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) testing, which traces the maternal line, is often used in such projects.

FamilyTree DNA, one of the leading companies in genealogy DNA testing, said their research in the biogeographical field has found that about a third of all Caucasians have some Southeast Asian ancestry. This is a result of migrations into Europe by nomadic tribes in ancient times.

African Ancestry Inc. of Washington, D.C., is one of the labs that specializes in pinpointing the area of Africa from which a family originates. The company has compiled a DNA database of 10,000 people from 85 ethnic groups in Africa. Each group has certain genetic markers not found in other people.

Trace Genetics of Davis, Calif., offers Native-American testing.

Information on various companies specializing in genealogy DNA may be found on the Internet at genealogy.about.com/cs/dna testing. To learn more about the various DNA surname projects that have been launched, check freepages.genealogy.rootsweb/~allpoms/genetics1a.html or Kevin Duerinck's Surname DNA Projects, www.duerinck.com/surname.html. The cost of genealogy DNA testing varies, depending on the number of markers one decides to check and whether one is part of a group test. However, one can expect to pay an average of $200 a person.

Many interesting articles on this subject are available in various genealogy periodicals, such as "Family Chronicle," and online.

Fascinating results in testing done thus far and a growing curiosity among family historians assure that DNA will play an important role in the future of genealogy. But it can never replace old-fashioned research in original records to link our ancestors through the generations.

Book sale

Ancestry.Com is offering the book "Finding Your African American Ancestry," at the sale price of $9.95 through Feb. 27.

This 188-page book emphasizes the newest technology in genealogy, as well as traditional and unique sources in identifying African-American ancestors.

Included are David Thackery's chapters in "The Source and Guide to African American Research at the Newberry Library," case studies and Internet sources. A bibliography for future study is a valuable part of this work.

To order through the Internet, go to www.ancestry.com and click on "shop," or call (800) ANCESTRY.

African-American workshop

This is the last week to make reservations for Beauvoir's free lecture and workshop on tracking African Americans before Emancipation on Saturday, Feb. 28.

The program, which begins at 10 a.m., will be conducted by Anne S. Anderson of Gulfport in observance of Black History Month. The annual program will be in the reading room of the Presidential Library at Beauvoir on U.S. 90 in Biloxi. For more details and reservations call Beauvoir's Tour and Programs Department at [phone].