Completed with Thanks - Which DNA test to establish family linkages?

[Revolution]

Hi

My grandfather died a decade ago. He had four children one of which is my mother. He was adopted in 1923 and we have very few records to trace who his biological father might have been. We do have his original birth certificate which we suspect names his biological father after which he was named.

Recently I have been able to get in contact with some of the possible descendants of his biological father.

My questions are: If the family agrees to a dna test which one should I use to determine if my grandfather was part of that family? Do I have to have a male or female line tested?

I read the information at this link but it went over my head

http://www.isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_testing_comparison_chart

Thanks for your time.

[Liz_in_Sussex]

Hi,

Put very simply (as this really isn't my area!) ideally you would test as follows:

• a known brother of your mother (ie son of your Grandfather) or a son of such a brother
• a son of the grandfather's suspected father, or a son of a son, or a son of a son

The important thing is there must not be a female in the chain.  You can then use a yDNA test such as the ones offered by www.ftdna.com.

I'm sure someone else will come along to explain it better.

Good luck,

Liz

ADDED - I should have said that if he is the son of the man you suspect then the yDNA test will show it - if he isn't - there will not be a match.

[Revolution]

Thanks Liz!

[youngtug]

one of which is my mother

This is the problem.

[Revolution]

I will try to see if there is a direct male line from the possible biological father and use one of my uncles as our family line.

[Revolution]

So what happens if I cant get access to the direct male line. Can a test of another one of the female family members tell me if we are remotely related genetically?

I get one of my male lines to do the swab test but can only get a female line descendant to take the test.

Thanks

[youngtug]

Ydna & Mdna wouldn't be any good. Autosomal dna seem,s to be the answer, although I am not sure how well it will work in this instance.

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/extras/molgen/four_types.html

[Revolution]

Hi

Ive contacted one of my direct male line family members and have a direct male line from the other family. Both parties will get the YDNA-37 test to establish any genetic connection

Cheers