Dusty,
My approach would be to first find out and understand exactly what each type
of test will give you the information you are looking for. No DNA test is
going to give you tribal information. Also, most tests are too general to
give you any current or specific information and unless you can prove your
tribal affiliation thru a genealogy path, it is my understanding that DNA
info alone is not enough to be admitted into any tribe.
Then consider the amount of NA who are doing DNA testing. At 23andMe there
are very few. What I have seen is that there is a fear of testing because
of the risk of being removed from the tribal rolls. I never suggest that
anyone test to prove any ethnic connection. Usually when doing autosomal
testing the percentage of NA genes that is shown is very low. This is due to
several factors. One of which is recombination.
Y and MTDNA testing is used to trace information or to connect people to a
common ancestor. The ability to trace to a common ancestor changes depending
on whether your surname is the same as the persons you match. MTDNA testing
really doesn't help much to find a common ancestor because most people don't
know the maiden names of their female ancestors and in some cases the
common ancestor goes back thousands of years. Neither Y or MTDNA will cover
all of your families lines so the benefit is minimal.
If money is a consideration, 23andMe has the most bang for your buck. I am
finding many will test with 23andMe and upload the raw data received from
them to www.gedmatch.com for free. Folks who tested with FTDNA and
Ancestry.com can also upload their information there. Another thing with
23andMe is that I think folks there are more apt to share information as
compared to FTDNA. 23andMe has community forums where discussions of all
types can be found. Also, 23andMe, if a tester is male, will do the Y, MTDNA
and autosomal test for 1 price. It will also narrow your Y and MTDNA
haplogroups into what is called subclades without any additional testing.
FTDNA will charge additional for these tests.
I originally tested with FTDNA in 2005, with AncestryByDNA in 2006 and
23andMe in 2010. Many of my family has tested and done both MTDNA, YDNA and
autosomal testing. Most of my family are tri-racial and are part NA.
One last thing, be very careful when deciding which projects to join at
FTDNA if this becomes your choice for a testing company. I have seen some
blogs, articles, etc that I question if the information contained was
obtained by ethical means, especially when it comes to NA and Melungeon
results. For a discussion on this, 23andMe is the forum where you will find
information.
Linda
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2013 8:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VA-ROOTS] DNA testing for Native American heritage (was: re:
Cnythia McDaniel)
Dusty:
1. Start with the video animations
<http://www.smgf.org/pages/animations.jspx> and know the differences among
the types of DNA tests and what the purpose of each is.
2. Decide what question(s) you want answered about which ancestor(s).
3. Follow Roberta Estes's blog <http://dna-explained.com>. She has posted
about every other day for the past year.
4. Get your 87-year-old male cousin tested by FamilyTreeDNA.com (FTDNA)
for his and your late father's yDNA, even at the low 12-marker
anthropological level. For genealogical results, at least 37 markers are
needed. His cheek brushings specimen will be preserved for 25 years so
that additional tests and upgrades can be ordered later. Become the
_contact_ person for his results and the _beneficiary_ of his results at
FTDNA. Or find another member of your family who is willing to take on
that responsibility.
5. Obtain autosomal DNA testing on yourself at 23andMe.com or
FamilyTreeDNA.com. If you obtain testing at 23andMe.com or another
company, it is advisable to transfer your data (does not include the spit
specimen) to FTDNA (for a fee) and to GEDmatch.com (free) to obtain
additional matches. FTDNA is currently having a sale through part of July.
6. Join a DNA genealogy group in your local area or within your local
genealogical society for information, discussion, and help.
Or hire a professional genetic genealogist to make the testing decisions
and interpret the results for you. One place to find such a person is at
the Association for Professional Genealogists <www.apgen.org>. Another
place is on the DNA blogs: _DNA eXplained_, _Your Genetic Genealogist_,
_The Genetic Genealogist_, and _The Legal Genealogist_.
Hope this helps.
--Ida Skarson McCormick, [log in to unmask], Seattle,
Member of the Seattle Genealogical Society's DNA Interest Group
------------------------
Dusty wrote:
I have read most of what you referred me and am nonetheless very
confused. I find it overwhelming.
<snip>
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