DNA

[Designer Jeans]

I wonder how other Rootchatters feel about DNA?

I've been researching my  family tree for years and all my lines are at the brick wall stage.  I was saving DNA as a retirement project, but decided I couldn't wait that long.  Courtesy of my brother we have had our Derbyshire Ward Y DNA tested.  It was rather bewildering getting started, but as always in genealogy, there are some really helpful people out there.  I have learnt lots, but it is very much a work in progress.  Most importantly once again I am really enjoying myself.

What I have discovered though is that to make the results more meaningful as many people as possible are needed to test their Y DNA.  If there is a surname of interest that you would like to find out about in your tree, you have to find a living male (father, uncle, brother, cousin) to supply the Y DNA.

There are surname projects and geographical ones such as the British Isles by County DNA Project to join once your results are in.  DNA testing costs approx the same as an annual sub to a family tree website and Family Tree DNA is currently holding a Christmas sale with reduced prices.

So, my view of DNA is that it is a useful tool in tracing genetic cousins as well as providing evidence for population geneticists researching the settlement history of Britain.  Anyone else interested, especially any males with the surname Ward?

Designer Jeans

[redjed1]

Hi
Like you I hit a brickwall on my dads, dads......side. From Duvalls in Liverpool back to Davalls in Long Island, NY in about 1720.

Also like you I tried DNA and it eventually (after 12 month wait) paid off. I have a 24/25-test match with a Davol family whose ancestors lived in Rhode Island (across the bay from NY). The DNA site reckons a 23/25 match is fairly conclusive, so I'm pretty sure this is my family. I'll just have to try and fill the missing generation(s) from the other side (coming forward).

The thing with DNA is which test pack you buy. I started with the basic 12-test, but found that the site recommended at least 25-test match to be conclusive indication of a joint ancestor. I managed to buy an up-grade to 25, now I'm tempted to go to 37 (but probably won't). The more DNA test results available, the better the chance of matching up.

John 

[supermoussi]

I wonder how other Rootchatters feel about DNA?

Hi there, This is a recurring topic and it would greatly help people if it had it its own section..

[Designer Jeans]

You're right, a DNA Section would be well worth thinking about if it is at all possible please.

[california dreamin]

Hi
I'm sure this was suggested sometime ago but was mooted by the 'higher' ups for some reason- but not sure what the reason was.

PS - I too have a great interest in DNA genealogy

[supermoussi]

I'm sure this was suggested sometime ago but was mooted by the 'higher' ups for some reason- but not sure what the reason was.

I don't know what their reason is; perhaps because there are other sites that deal in DNA specifically? Religion? Lack of Advertising Revenue?

If there was a forum here with faqs/pinned topics, it would make finding info on DNA testing much easier for the uninitiated who don't know of any other sites. Using the search function on this site just doesn't really work very well at all.

Happy crimbo btw

[youngtug]

 Using the search function on this site just doesn't really work very well at all.

Happy crimbo btw

You may have to filter out a few unrelated topics that include the letters dna in their headings but the search facility works fine. Being has I am having trouble with the shrink link just put dna in the search

[Nick29]

Many of us have already taken DNA tests - including myself.  I did both Y-DNA and autosomal testing about a year ago, to try to establish the birthplace area of my g.g. grandfather, but so far I have had no significant matches.  DNA is like fingerprinting - the more samples you have in the database, the more chance there is of a match, and unfortunately in the UK the number of people who have paid to have DNA tests is woefully small.

[supermoussi]

You may have to filter out a few unrelated topics that include the letters dna in their headings but the search facility works fine.

For specific things yes, but what I mean is that DNA is, and always will be an ongoing topic of interest to genealogists. People who don't understand what it is all about would have the chance to learn about it if there was a section here that they could browse through, with pinned FAQs dealing with the most common topics to avoid repetition.

As it is, a lot of people using this site remain in the dark re DNA and miss an opportunity to take advantage of another avenue of research.