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Types of DNA: Which test and why?
There are three types of DNA tests useful for genealogy; Autosomal, Y-DNA and Mitochondrial DNA, each one giving different results and information.
Autosomal DNA
This is the most common (and cheapest) test. It is usually the best one to choose if you are starting DNA research.
You receive approximately 50% of autosomal DNA from your father and 50% from your mother which was made up from 50% from each of their parents and so on. Based on this, the amount of DNA you share with a match will indicate what relationship you might be to that person. And, because DNA is passed down in segments from a particular ancestor, it is possible to identify which line of your tree the match belongs to.
- Tests both paternal and maternal lines.
- Anyone can test, regardless of gender.
- Provides matches back to about 8 generations.
- FTDNA provides X matches , which follow a specific pattern of inheritance and are therefore very useful.
- Provides an ethnicity estimate (the geographical locations your ancestors were from).
- FTDNA provide a high level haplogroup for males – this will be quite far back in time and doesn’t include matches with others in that haplogroup.
Y-DNA
Y-DNA identifies a haplogroup that you belong to and shows matches with others in that haplogroup.
It is handed down intact for many generations at a time. However mutations did (and do) occur and it is these mutations that define which haplogroup a person belongs to.
Mankind can trace its ancestors back to a single group of people living in Africa. From there, members of this group migrated to different areas and unique mutations were developed within each of these separate groups, creating offshoots of the original haplogroup. This continued for many thousands of years. Each new mutation is given a sub-number and, simply put, that is what a haplogroup classification is.
- Tests the patrilineal line ie your father’s father’s father and so on…
- Passed from father to son. Only males have this chromosome so only male offspring of males can test.
- Provides information about your deep ancestry going back centuries and can help to resolve issues on your patrilineal line.
Mt-DNA (Mitochondrial)
Mitochondrial DNA works in a similar way to Y-DNA, in that mutations at given times define the haplogroup for your matrilineal line.
- Tests the matrilineal line ie your mother’s mother’s mother and so on…
- Passed from mothers to sons and daughters. Only daughters pass this on, however both sons and daughters can take a test.
- Provides information about your deep ancestry going back centuries and can help to resolve issues on your matrilineal line.