DNA in Genealogy Research

What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule found in nearly all human cells and contains the information for the development and function of all living organisms. A human DNA molecule is a double helix shaped like a twisted ladder. The human genome is the complete set of human genetic information found within 23 pairs of chromosomes for each person. Half of the chromosomes come from the father and half from the mother. These 23 chromosomes reside within the nucleus of the cells and some DNA is also found in the mitochondria.

Why use it in family history research?
DNA is a powerful tool for genealogists and can be used to prove or verify conclusions that cannot be solved any other way. Autosomal DNA is likely to solve problems up to five generations back, but the fewer generations the test takers are removed from the research problem, the greater the odds of success will be. Y-DNA can be used to solve problems up to 25 generations back. Adoptees and people who don't know their parentage can also use DNA to identify their biological family too. All adoptees have the right to know who their biological family is, but the adoptee only has the right to a relationship with those family members if they consent to it.

DNA Testing Risks
DNA testing can reveal information that you did not expect and can be painful. You may learn for example, that the man who raised you was not your biological father, you may learn that your grandfather fathered a child outside of his marriage, or that you are really adopted. The view of this author (Tanner Tolman) is that DNA can only add to your family. All blood is family, but not all family is blood.

Genetic Genealogy Standards
In 2015, a group of expert DNA genealogists developed a set of standards to help people accurately interpret their DNA test results. The standards are available on the group's website The Genetic Genealogy Standards.

DNA Companies
The main five main companies for genetic genealogy are 23andme, Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, LivingDNA, and MyHeritage. Clicking on each link will take you to a wiki page about that company and clicking here will take you to an overview of all five.

Online Classes

 * List of DNA Videos on the FamilySearch Learning Center and RootsTech

Facebook Groups

 * 23andMe Newbies - This is a group for those who are beginning genetic testing with 23andMe and discussing genealogy and health.
 * Africana Genetic Genealogy Consortium - This is a group for advanced-level exploration and discussion of African DNA research.
 * Ancestry DNA for Dummies - This group is to help understand Family research using DNA.
 * Autosomal DNA - This group talks about geographical and historical origins of your genetic markers.
 * DNA Detectives - From their Facebook group "The DNA Detectives group is focused on bringing together volunteers with genetic genealogy and searching experience with those seeking biological family -- adoptees, foundlings, donor-conceived individuals, unknown paternity and all other types of unknown parentage cases, near or far. This group is for members helping members and self-education."
 * DNA Tools - This group is for those interested in genetic genealogy DNA tools. Main sites discussed are DNAGedcom, GEDmatch AncestryDNA Chrome Extension and 23++ as well as new ideas for tools.
 * International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG) - From their Facebook group The mission of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy is to advocate for and educate about the use of genetics as a tool for genealogical research, and promote a supportive network for genetic genealogists."
 * Borland Genetics Users Group - Borland Genetics is a website you can use to help reconstruct your ancestor's DNA. This website is a place where users can collaborate with each other and ask questions to the creator.