Family Tree DNA Review 

Family Tree DNA  Review

Family Tree DNA is a thorough test of ancestral lines that traces an individual’s ethnicity up to (or back) five generations. It is specifically designed for someone trying to trace their family history or locate long lost family members. It is very instrumental in establishing family links that some family seekers don’t even know about. It is also helpful in connecting these individuals with relatives that are still living.

What is the “Family Finder” at Family Tree DNA

The Family Finder test at FTDNA concentrates on autosomal DNA, which comes from both your mom and your dad, your grandparents on your mother and father’s side of the family, some of their grandparents, and so forth. This test is intended to discover living relatives on the majority of your familial lines inside the last five eras and can likewise give you a breakdown of your genetic makeup by a percentage rate.

This section of the website that analyzes your ethnic background is called “myOrigins.” The analysts that operate this “myOrigins” realize that the borders of a country will change over time. That’s when the ‘smart’ part of the process will bypass the country percentage factors and use regional percentages. This allows for more accuracy when determining your ethnic background.

There are 3 different tests offered at Family Tree DNA which are:

• Autosomal DNA – People have approximately 22 sets of autosomal chromosomes and only a couple of sex chromosomes. Autosomal DNA is defined as a single chromosome from DNA that is situated in the core of the cell. This type of DNA usually rejects sex chromosomes. Upon completion of this test (available for men and women), you will be provided with the name, email contact, and relevant DNA information that matches you with a long lost relative’s. It is vital to know that your DNA results will fluctuate as their technology enhances and more information is gathered about you.The advantages of using the autosomal DNA test is that it can be compared to FTDNA’s competitors’ results. The only downside to these comparable tests is that FTDNA only has the capabilities of accepting V3 files from 23andMe. New versions of V4 or older versions of V2 are not transferrable to FTDNA either.
• Y-DNA – There are two chromosomes that are part of the genetic makeup. These are X chromosomes and Y chromosomes. Females will not inherit the Y chromosome, but males do. The paternal line relies on the Y chromosome for determining a surname for genealogy research determining bloodlines or locating original ‘last’ names.
• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) – The hereditary material found in mitochondria. Mitochondria is inherited by both sexes of children from the mother; male and female. However, grandchildren will not inherit their grandmother’s mitochondria DNA (or mtDNA).