I was reading my e-mail and it occur to me that maybe I should have one of the professionals do the explaining. Below a copy of todays newsletter, hope the links work.
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Honoring Our Ancestors
DNA Database Diving
by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak
In my last article on genetic genealogy (which I like to shorten to 'genetealogy'), I explained that many of us have already been DNA tested by proxy, even if we're not aware of it! Because of the way Y-DNA is passed down through family trees (that is, essentially the same way as surnames), one man's sample can represent countless cousins, both living and deceased. Consequently, I provided some suggestions for finding out whether you're one of the lucky people who's already been tested by virtue of a male relative of the same surname already having taken the plunge into the world of genetealogy.
In this follow up, I'll share a collection of online resources for extracting a bit more meaning from your results -- that pile of numbers that looks like some sort of parts list (also known as a 'haplotype'). I hope this will prove useful for those of you who have recently taken a test and aren't sure where to go from here. And of course, this is also for those fortunate ones who have just discovered that they've already been tested by proxy.
The Matchmaking Game
The pile of numbers you receive after testing is not especially meaningful in and of itself. Its value comes through what I like to think of as a matchmaking game. When you search a conventional genealogy database for entries that match the known details of one of your ancestors, you're involved in a matchmaking quest. You enter a name and perhaps a date or location and hope to find results that are a perfect or, at least, a very close fit.
The same applies with genetic genealogy. There are a number of databases, both public and private, where you can enter your results in the hope of finding perfect or, at least, close matches. Fortunately, some of them are quasi-automated so you can either upload your numbers with the press of a button or just enter them one time and save them for future use. This is a handy feature because, like all databases, they grow over time and you'll want to check back from time to time to see if any fresh matches have appeared.
Three Layers
When you receive your results, there are essentially three layers of analysis you can perform. You can play the matchmaking game in:
* your own project
* your testing company's proprietary database, and/or
* public access databases
Some are content to stop at the first level, but most genealogists are curious souls, so we can't help but explore for more insight.
Your Own Project
Most current projects are surname-focused (although as I explained in the last article, there are a growing number of geographically- and ethnically-oriented projects), so it's logical that the first step you'll take is to compare results with others of the same surname within your project. Most project managers make this easy for participants by providing color-coded charts on their websites, such as this example.
You can simply scan them, look for your own results (usually listed under the name of the earliest known ancestor in that line or some sort of code), and inspect others in the same color. Any differences between your numbers and those of your neighbors are generally highlighted in some way so they're easy to spot and you don't have to compare number by number.
Anyone who matches you is now your research buddy because you know that you share a common ancestor at some point. DNA testing can't reveal who that ancestor is, but you now know for sure that your lines converge at some point. And if you're really fortunate, you'll match with someone who's done a lot more research than you!
Testing Company's Database
Even if your project lacks a dedicated website, the company you test with will notify you of any matches within your project or throughout its entire proprietary database. This assumes, of course, that you have signed the release form that allows the company to play matchmaker on your behalf. All this release permits the company to do is to seek matches and provide an email address to both parties when one is found.
Just as you might send an e-mail to someone who's posted a branch of your family tree online, you'll want to contact those who match you to compare notes. There is one caveat, however. As you peruse your project's results, you'll discover that haplotypes behave much like surnames in that some are more common than others. Some will have lots of matches -- almost the genetic equivalent of being a Smith -- while others will find that their results are very rare.
If your results are rare, by all means, contact your genetic mates. For instance, my father's Y-DNA is quite rare and has sat forlorn and matchless since 2001. Just when conducting research for this article, though, I discovered his first match -- a fellow from Poland. Did I email him? You bet.
But if your haplotype is very common, you might want to be more selective, just as you might think twice before emailing hundreds of Smiths. In fact, those with common haplotypes might want to consider upgrading to a higher resolution test to narrow the field of matches.
Public Access Databases
When genetealogy first came into being back in 2000, what I've outlined above were essentially our only analysis options -- that, and a scientific database (
www.yhrd.org) that genealogists tripped across and started using for our own purposes. Since then, several other databases have emerged. Now when you get your results, you can enter them at any or all of the following to see if any additional matches or other information are revealed:
* YHRD: A database for the scientific community that furnishes no genealogical data, but can be used for indications of geographic origin.
* YBase: Sponsored by DNA Heritage, but open to all regardless of which company you tested with. Can be searched by haplotype or surname, and has some fun features such one that plots your matches on a map.
* YSearch: Sponsored by Family Tree DNA, but open to all regardless of which company you tested with. Can also be searched by haplotype and surname and includes useful features such as the ability to attach a GEDCOM to your results.
* SMGF: This is where the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (a topic for its own article) shares results, including pre-1900 pedigrees, from its worldwide study. Some of you may have participated if you gave a blood or mouthwash sample at a genealogical event over the last few years. You can add to the database (for free) by requesting a kit by mail and submitting it with your pedigree.
* YFiler: Another non-genealogical database that we've co-opted because of its ability to provide population group affiliation.
Happy Diving!
For those of you who go database diving, I wish you good luck with your quest for genetic cousins. For those of you who would like to learn more, please explore my mini-library of articles on this topic.
For those of you still pondering whether to dip your toe into the waters of genetealogy, I know quite a few people who have requested a test for a birthday or other special event (hint, hint!). And finally, in a shameless plug for my own DNA projects, please consider contacting me if you have roots in Osturna, Slovakia or are interested in exploring any of the following surnames: Nelligan (Neligan, etc.), Motichka (Motyczka, etc.), Reynolds and Shields.
Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, co-author (with Ann Turner) of Trace Your Roots with DNA: Using Genetic Tests to Explore Your Family Tree, as well as In Search of Our Ancestors,Honoring Our Ancestors and They Came to America, can be contacted through
www.genetealogy.com and
www.honoringourancestors.com.
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