Genetic genealogy is the scientific use of molecular genetic testing, i.e. DNA testing and genetic profile analysis, in conjunction with other conventional genealogical techniques, to infer relationships between people. In recent years, this application of molecular genetics came into being used by professional family historians, who were then able to overcome their technical limitations. As more genetic testing was developed and made available to the public, genetic genealogy has grown into a highly specialized and interesting field. It has become very important to understand the process of genetic genealogy to get a basic understanding of what genealogy actually is.
In the simplest terms, genealogy provides information about the history of an individual’s ancestors. Information regarding the relationships among these ancestors is determined by analyzing the genetic differences among them. For example, the geneticist can analyze different samples of ancient DNA from one person to another to determine if there are genetic differences between them that would support probable relations between them. The DNA results can be compared to the ancient historical records to determine if there is a relationship between the two individuals. If there is, then the conclusion is that these individuals are related and that the events that happened in their lives are linked to each other through the DNA sequences they left behind. These results are then compared to modern day historical records to confirm these conclusions.
The process of genealogy can be further divided into two major categories: DNA testing and family tree DNA testing. DNA testing is conducted with the help of a DNA test kit that allows users to send a sample of their DNA to a laboratory for testing. Once the DNA sample is processed at the laboratory, a report is mailed to the client. Based on the information contained in the report, a familial relationship analysis is carried out. Based on the results, the origin of the DNA can be traced and connections between different people and relatives can be determined.
For those interested in what is genetic genealogy, family history is a key component. This entails assembling a complete family history for a precise genealogical study. In this method of genealogy, a familial tree is drawn, starting from the present day and going back to the oldest living relative. The extended family usually consists of parents, siblings, and children. It is up to the genealogist to verify the data gathered from several sources.
When researching what is genetic genealogy, you will likely come across the term “ancestry” several times. This is not referring to a blood relation, but to the process by which biological relatives or spouses marry and have children. Marriage is sometimes necessary for genealogical purposes since it helps trace the direct line of ancestry. A more complicated method of genealogy tracing back to ancestors comes in the form of relationship matching. This involves using the sibling of an unknown person to search for clues about their direct family history.
In contrast to what is genetic, traditional genealogy traces its roots back through several generations. This method often employs a specialized agency that performs testing or studies to determine relationships. The DNA test results of known relationships provide information necessary for drawing families and tracing lines of ancestry. By performing testing with a specialized agency, you have the assurance of obtaining what you want, which is what is known as dna genealogy.
What is genetic genealogy? Scientists are still uncertain what exactly is genetic, although they have identified several different types. Using molecular biology and the results derived from testing and research, scientists have identified two types of genetic genealogy – maternal and paternal. Although there is some controversy surrounding these two categories, they are both derived from the same biological processes and, therefore, likely carry the same genetic traits.
Aside from the two types of genetic genealogy, there exists a third category, called mitochondrial dna genealogy. This type of genetic genealogy concerns itself with DNA extracted from mitochondria, which are tiny mobile DNA fragments that live inside cells. These DNA fragments are passed on from mother to child and sometimes between humans. For many years, researchers have been interested in studying the DNA of close relatives, especially those that lived only within a few generations of each other. By examining the DNA of a relative, researchers were able to determine if the individual had any genetic disease or health problems associated with that disease or that parent, and hence, trace their history.