The National Geographic has a new program where you can trace your DNA for thousands of years. To be more precise, it shows where your/my ancestors migrated from for the past 60,000 years by "genetic "markers" found in mitochondrial DNA and on the Y chromosome. "
quote:This is not a genealogy test and you won't learn about your great grandparents. You will learn, however, of your deep ancestry, the ancient genetic journeys and physical travels of your distant relatives.
There are two downsides. It only tracks the line of your gender. If I wanted a complete story, I would need my sister to do this also.
It costs $99.95.
Since we have people who enjoy genealogy on this forum, I thought this would be a great program to share. I now need to go home and convince my wife that we have 200 to try this out. If we both did it our son will have a pretty cool genealogy story mapped out.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I don't have a living sister. Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
Addendum:
The site says:
quote: Samples will be analyzed for genetic "markers" found in mitochondrial DNA and on the Y chromosome. We will be performing ONE OF two tests for each public participant:
Males: Y-DNA test. This test allows you to identify your deep ancestral geographic origins on your direct paternal line.
Females: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This tests the mtDNA of females to identify the ancestral migratory origins of your direct maternal line.
Does that mean it only tells the story of one gender? I am thinking I misunderstood how this works. Even if it follows my paternal line, will it show the maternal information that that my father_grandfather_greatgrandfather_etc have embedded in their genes?
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
quote: I don't have a living sister. [Frown]
How about a mom or grandma?
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
This is only a way to get direct descent through one gender, and that's understandable, because all other genetic material gets mixed up (so to speak).
Mitochondrial DNA and to a lesser extent Y-chromosome markers remain pretty much intact as they're passed on, but each is only passed on through one gender (female and male, respectively).
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:How about a mom or grandma?
Duh. Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
quote: If I wanted a complete story, I would need my sister to do this also.
I just realized this would not be a complete story. I still would not have the grand father Geneology on my maternal side nor the grand mother geneology on my paternal side.
I still think this is cool and worth the $100! Is anyone else tempted to do this?
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Nah, I know where my people are from. Tribes from Abraham, and all.
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
quote: Nah, I know where my people are from. Tribes from Abraham, and all.
Are you talking about a Patriarchal Blessing?
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Psst: Tante is Jewish. Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Wouldn't it be a surprise if the tests didn't confirm that?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Not particularly. There have been plenty of converts throughout Jewish history.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Huh. I thought that converts had a special standing in the Jewish community and could only marry other converts.
Posted by Tinros (Member # 8328) on :
I would actually be very, very surprised if there were a large amount of Jews who could trace their COMPLETE ancestry back to the tribes of Abraham. THen again, maybe I just underestimate Jews, but hey, things can get screwed up and lost in a few thousand years.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
The more I read lem's response, the funnier it seems.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: Huh. I thought that converts had a special standing in the Jewish community and could only marry other converts.
Absolutely NOT. Converts are full-fledged Jews (as long as the conversion is valid), and can marry almost anyone.
The only restriction is on cohanim (priests). They cannot marry divorcees or converts.
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