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Gene Tool
Bookmark this quick-reference genetic genealogy cheat sheet.
Genetic Genealogy Testing Companies
- 23andMe
- African Ancestry
- AfricanDNA
- Ancestry DNA
- deCODEme
- DNA Consulting
- DNA Heritage
- Family Tree DNA
- Living DNA
- MyHeritage
- National Geographic Genographic Project
- Oxford Ancestors
- Pathway Genomics
Genetic Genealogy Glossary
admixture: ancestry that originates from more than one ethnic group
allele result: also called a marker value, the numeric value assigned to a genetic marker
autosomal DNA: all your DNA except what’s on the X and Y chromosomes
biogeographical DNA test
An autosomal DNA test (also called an admixture test) that estimates percentages of your DNA associated with various geographic origins.
An autosomal DNA test (also called an admixture test) that estimates percentages of your DNA associated with various geographic origins.
confidence range or confidence interval: Your DNA results report will show the most likely ancestry percentages (for a biogeographic test) or date an MRCA lived (for a Y-DNA test). It’ll also provide a confidence range showing other possible results
haplogroup: an identification of the genetic group your ancient ancestors (10,000 to 60,000 years ago) belonged to
haplotype: collectively, the marker values on your Y-DNA test results
HVR (hypervariable region): sections of mtDNA (such as HV1 and HV2) used to determine your haplogroup
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): genetic material mothers pass on to their children
MRCA (most recent common ancestor): the most recent ancestor two individuals both descend from
mutation: changes in DNA that can help reveal how long ago an MRCA lived when two people have closely matching marker values
recombination: the process by which chromosomes cross and switch genetic material at conception
SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism): harmless mutations in autosomal DNA that can indicate where your ancient ancestors came from
STR (short tandem repeat): a type of DNA marker used to determine relationships between individuals
Y-DNA: genetic material fathers pass to their sons
Deep Ancestry: Inside The Genographic Project by Spencer Wells (National Geographic)
DNA and Genealogy by Colleen Fitzpatrick (Rice Book Press)
DNA and Tradition: The Genetic Link to the Ancient Hebrews by Yaakov Kleiman (Devora Publishing)
Family History in the Genes: Trace Your DNA and Grow Your Family Tree by Chris Pomery (The [UK] National Archives)
The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger (Family Tree Books)
The Seven Daughters of Eve by Bryan Sykes (W.W. Norton & Co.)
Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland by Bryan Sykes (W.W. Norton & Co.)
Trace Your Roots With DNA byMegan Smolenyak Smolenyak and Ann Turner (Rodale)
A version of this article originally appeared in the December 2009 Family Tree Magazine
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