Understanding Your Y-DNA Results Contents - Genebase

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A. Y-DNA Background GTB-DYR, VERSION 2.4, LAST UPDATED MAY 15, 2012 Downloading Y-DNA Results Genetic Genealogy is a new and exciting way to supplement your ancestry research. While genetic genealogy is a powerful tool, it is important to understand both the benefits and limitations of DNA testing. The current industry recognized standards for DNA ancestry testing are mtDNA testing for tracing Maternal ancestry and Y-DNA testing for tracing Paternal ancestry. This Guidebook provides instructions for using your Y-DNA test results to investigate your PATERNAL ancestry. Y-DNA Basics Your Y-DNA is passed down to you directly from your Paternal ancestors (father to son inheritance pattern). Only males have Y-DNA, so only males can take the Y-DNA test. Females wishing to trace their own Paternal ancestry must test the Y-DNA of a male relative, such as a brother, male cousin, nephew, uncle, etc. on their direct Paternal line. The patrilineal inheritance pattern of Y-DNA means that your Y-DNA profile is unique to your Paternal lineage and shared by all people who descended from the same patrilineal ancestral lineage as you. Testing your Y-DNA allows you to trace your direct Paternal ancestry (your father’s, father’s, father’s…. Paternal line). What is Y-DNA? Father carries Y-DNA which holds information about his Paternal lineage. Son inherits Y-DNA from his father and passes his father’s Y- DNA to all future male descendents. Y-DNA is DNA that is found in the Y-Chromosome. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. The 23rd pair are the X and Y chromosomes which determine a person’s gender. Males have one Y-Chromosome and one X-Chromosome (XY) and females have two X-Chromosomes (XX) and no Y-Chromosome. Because females do not have a Y-Chromosome, females cannot take the Y-DNA test. Y-DNA is passed down strictly from father to son. X X and Y Chromosomes Daughter does NOT inherit Y- DNA from father because females do not have Y-DNA. Females also cannot pass Y- DNA down to the next generation of males. © 2012 DNA Ancestry Project | support@genebase.com 2
Tracing Paternal ancestry with Y-DNA GTB-DYR, VERSION 2.4, LAST UPDATED MAY 15, 2012 Downloading Y-DNA Results Genetic markers are present in the Y-Chromosome which carry valuable information about a person’s Paternal ancestry. Two different types of genetic markers found in the Y-DNA are commonly used to trace Paternal ancestry: STR markers and SNP markers. STR (stands for “short tandem repeat”) - STR markers have a very fast mutation rate (approximately one mutation every 20 generations) so STR testing can be used to search for recent family links (within dozens of generations). SNP (stands for “single nucleotide polymorphism”) - SNP markers have a very slow mutation rate (approximately one mutation every few thousand years) so SNP testing can be used to confirm your Y-DNA Haplogroup. Haplogroups pertain to “deep” ancestry (ancient ancestry from thousands of years ago). Genealogists usually begin by taking the Y-DNA STR test. The Y-DNA STR test is the most versatile test because it will allow one to look for long lost relatives, find matches to indigenous populations, and also provides a prediction on deep ancestry (Haplogroup prediction). Once the Y-DNA STR test has been completed, genealogists may wish to further confirm their Haplogroup using Backbone SNP testing and even further refine their Haplogroup using Subclade SNP testing. What are Y-DNA Haplogroups and Subclades? Y-DNA studies have shown all people living today can be traced back to a common Paternal ancestor who lived in Africa approximately 60,000 to 100,000 years ago. Over time, many different ancient family groups “Haplogroups” eventually journeyed out of Africa and populated the rest of the world. Y-DNA Haplogroups (labeled A to T) are associated with unique ancient migration routes out of Africa which led to different regions of the world (the Maternal line equivalent is the “mtDNA Haplogroup”). Once you find out which Y-DNA Haplogroup you belong to, you can find out which general region of the world your Paternal ancestors came from. Please note that Haplogroups are NOT country specific. There are no Haplogroups which are found in only one country and not a neighboring country. Y-DNA Haplogroups can be further classified into finer sub-branches called “Subclades”. Knowing your Subclade can often provide further geographical localization of your ancestry if published research on the geographical distribution of the Subclade is available. Region/Population Major Y-DNA Haplogroups found in regions/populations specified Native Americans C, Q Oceanic and Aboriginal Australians C, K, M, N, S, East Asian C, D, N, O, Q, South Asian (i.e. India) C, H, L, Europe and Middle East I, J, R, T, Diverse F, G, P, African A, B, E, The Y-DNA testing process Refer to Appendix 1 – Summary of Y-DNA Haplogroups on page 30 of this manual for details of each Y-DNA Haplogroup. Your DNA is collected using mouth swabs called “buccal swabs” which are rubbed gently inside your mouth against your cheek to collect loose skin cells called “buccal cells”. Your buccal cells are an abundant source of DNA. When your DNA sample arrives at the lab, DNA testing begins immediately. First, your buccal cells are removed from the swab. Next, your DNA is extracted from the buccal cells and purified for DNA testing. How soon do I have to send the samples back for testing? Your DNA kit has no expiry date, so you can collect your DNA sample any time after receiving your kit. After collecting your DNA sample, send it back to the laboratory for testing as soon as possible. If you cannot send your samples right away, don’t worry because once your swabs are dry, your DNA sample is extremely stable and can be stored for months at room temperature. Do I need to collect another sample if I order more tests? The laboratory will test the samples that you have remaining on file from your previous test. If more DNA is required, we will notify you and send you a recollection kit. The only upgrade test type which always requires more DNA is the mtDNA Full Sequencing Test. The mtDNA Full Sequencing Test requires a large amount of DNA so a recollection is always required when this upgrade test type is ordered. © 2012 DNA Ancestry Project | support@genebase.com 3
Page 1: Contents GTB-DYR, VERSION 2.4, LAST
Page 5 and 6: GTB-DYR, VERSION 2.4, LAST UPDATED
Page 11 and 12: D. Indigenous DNA (Y-DNA) GTB-DYR,
Page 17 and 18: How are matches ranked? GTB-DYR, VE
Page 21 and 22: G. Frequently Asked Questions: Am I
Page 25 and 26: H. Glossary GTB-DYR, VERSION 2.4, L
Page 31 and 32: Haplogroup Time and Place Emerged D
Page 33 and 34: Haplogroup Time and Place Emerged N
Page 35: Haplogroup Time and Place Emerged C

Understanding Your Y-DNA Results Contents - Genebase

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