In an article by The Eagle newspaper online, “Local Group Uses DNA in Genealogy”, a local genealogy group is using DNA to help trace their ancestors, but also their living cousins.
“The process starts when you join a surname organization, and they put you in touch with a testing lab,” Duncan said. “You get a testing kit and submit your DNA. The lab sends the results to the surname society, and they notify you of any matches.”…
“My DNA matched that of a guy in South Carolina,” Duncan said. “I’ll compare notes with him. He may have data on the Duncan family that I don’t have. If nothing else, it might help me know where to look.”
Duncan’s research has traced his family back to a male relative who lived in South Carolina in 1778. The DNA connection may help him find the father or brother of this ancestor.
While DNA testing is a great way to connect back in time with your ancestors, the fact that it can help you connect with the living is even more exciting. Who knows what research and finds they may have uncovered in their family history that will fill in the blanks with yours.
There are many surname DNA testing sites on the Internet. For USD$20-40, it’s a cheap way to potentially uncover a gold mine of family history.
Article Information
DNA Testing for Ancestors Can Help You Find the Living is Issue Number 204 published October 5, 2006, by Lorelle VanFossen. This is just one of many articles found in the Genealogy Techniques categories. Lorelle VanFossen writes for a variety of blogs, websites, ezines, and print publications. She also teaches and does a lot of public speaking internationally on photography, writing, blogging, web page design and development, and more. She and her husband and cat(s) travel full-time across North American and the rest of the world by RV, planes, trains, automobiles, and foot, writing and photographing their travels and nature, when they can find it. Lorelle VanFossen has written 231 articles for our our family history blog.
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December 13th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I’m trying to decide if I can help my mom. She was adopted and we have a few leads as to her origins…would a genetics test like this possibly help? Which test and tester would be most reliable…. I would love to give her this for Christmas, but not build any false hope
Thanks for your time
December 13th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
@Ric Bussard:
DNA tests will not help find parents. But may find cousins and more ancient relatives. It all depends and sometimes these tests aren’t very reliable.
It’s a nice present to give to help her trace further back, but it won’t help find a parent - unless the parent is involved in the same DNA research with the same company.