Finding Ancestral Homelands Through DNA

Rhett Dabling – Manager FamilySearch Business Development

Introduction

DNA is connecting people all over the world in a way that was not possible years ago. People are discovering cousins and family that they never would have known about without DNA. If you are new to the concept of DNA and curious how to get started, this class will help you understand the basics of ethnicity results and how to use them in your research.

Discover your Ancestral Homelands Most DNA companies provide an estimate of your ethnic origins (also known as your admixture). These origins are based on the comparison of your DNA to reference samples collected by each DNA company from around the world. If you do not know the ethnicity of your parents or grandparents, use your results, along with other clues, to direct your research. Ethnicity can provide broad strokes in understanding your ancestors and where they are from.

Where do I start? First, you need to decide which DNA test would be best for you and your research goals. You have many options in choosing a DNA testing company. Each company offers a different experience and focus. Your choice depends on what you want to learn and accomplish. The following DNA companies include Ethnicity Estimates to help you explore your ancestry.

23andMe tests autosomal DNA collected by spitting into a tube. 23andMe has ethnicity tools, cousin matches, and health data. www.23andme.com

Ancestry DNA tests autosomal DNA collected by spitting into a tube. Results are tied to your Ancestry.com account and family trees. AncestryDNA provides ethnicity results, cousin matches, migration groups, and ancestor groups. dna.ancestry.com

FamilyTree DNA provides kits for testing yDNA (for patrilineal research), mtDNA (for matrilineal research), and autosomal DNA (called Family Finder). DNA is collected by scraping your cheek. FamilyTreeDNA provides cousin matches and a chromosome browser. www.familytreedna.com

LivingDNA provides ethnicity estimates, including an advanced sub-region breakdown of genetic origins in the British Isles. The Living DNA family matching system, Family Networks, connects you with relatives with whom you share DNA. Results include autosomal DNA, yDNA, and mtDNA collected with a cheek swab. www.livingdna.com

MyHeritage tests autosomal DNA collected by scraping your cheek. MyHeritage provides ethnicity results and cousin matches. www.myheritage.com/dna

Referenced Material:

• https://www.yourdnaguide.com/ydgblog/2020/7/8/virtual-travel-history-dna-test-results • https://www.yourdnaguide.com/ydgblog/2019/6/6/dna-ethnicity-estimation-reference- panels?rq=ethnicity • https://www.yourdnaguide.com/ydgblog/2018/11/21/ethnicity-results-exciting-or- exasperating • www.yourdnaguide.com/which-dna-test-best

Resources We live in an exciting time when doors previously locked, can be opened using DNA, but how do you know where to start? Fortunately, many people and organizations have created and shared incredible resources designed to help you achieve success.

Some of these beginner resources are: . FamilySearch DNA Education Pages FamilySearch.org/dna . FamilySearch Wiki https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Main_Page . ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogists) https://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_tools . Company Help Resources . 23andMe - https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/categories/201639728- Tools . Ancestry DNA - https://support.ancestry.com/s/ . FamilyTree DNA - https://learn.familytreedna.com/ . LivingDNA – https://support.livingdna.com/hc/en-us . MyHeritage - https://education.myheritage.com/ . Diahan Southard - YourDNAGuide.com . Blaine Bettinger, The Genetic Genealogist . Dana Leeds of DanaLeeds.com DNA Color Clustering . Leah Larkin, The DNA Geek . Roberta Estes, DNA-eXplained