Finding Out About the Last 5 Generations of Your Family through DNA!

If you have been interested in discovering your true ethnic and racial background, there are many genetics tests you can take that offer this information. Family Tree DNA services are also used by the people doing the National Geographic Genographic project, giving them some credibility beyond many other companies.

What I found interesting, is that it doesn't matter whether the link is paternal or maternal as it uses a type of DNA classified as "autosomal" DNA, which is different from the Y-DNA (paternal side) and the mtDNA (maternal side) samples you may have had analyzed.

Both my husband, his sister, my brother and I have had our DNA tested through the National Geographic's study and it was pretty darn fascinating to see where our 'genes' resided 50,000 years ago.

Finding out about the last five generations, however, can dispel or validate those family stories and help people who may have special medical issues gain additional information.

Here is a recent advertisement outlining the services which are available for existing customers, but you can get the drift of what it offers to new customers too:

By now you may have already heard of our newest test, which has received substantial exposure in the press: the Family Finder test.

Since several people who have seen the news about this test have approached us for more information, allow me to briefly give you the key elements of the Family Finder test:

1. You may find relatives on any of your lines within the past 5 generations!
2. It doesn't matter if you are male or female; your results will be compared to anyone who has taken Family Finder!*
3. You can test “suspected relatives” including aunts, uncles, parents, half-siblings, or cousins.

Population Finder determines the percentages of different ancestries that comprise your genetics by matching your DNA data from the Family Finder test against data from multiple populations from around the world**.

Based on your DNA, Population Finder will assign your sample to 1-4 population groups, giving the corresponding percentages of your genetic makeup.

The Family Finder Test lets you:

• Sort your matches by degree of relationships.
• View the names of your matches and communicate via e-mail
• Share genealogical information with ease.
• See the “location” on your chromosomes where you match and compare your matches with each other!
• Determine the percentages of different ancestries that comprise your genetics by matching your autosomal DNA against data from multiple populations. 

Special Note: The Family Finder test requires an untouched vial of DNA. If your kit does not have an extra vial on file, we will mail a collection kit for a new DNA extraction. After ordering you will be notified by email whether we are able to use a stored vial or will be mailing a new collection kit.

*Family Finder results can only be compared with other Family Finder results. The Family Finder test uses autosomal DNA which is different from Y-DNA or mtDNA.

**You will be able to see your basic ethnic makeup, broken down by percentage. This test is based on a comparison of your Family Finder sequences to data collected by population geneticists. Populations studies consist of a number of representative populations including: European, Native American, Asian, African, etc.

Family Genealogy & Federal Assistance

Genealogy has been one of my hobbies for quite some time.  It can be an expensive endeavor if you try to follow your family's path through history with trips and acquiring certified copies of documents.  An easier, perhaps more accessible way to find your ancestral path is through some of the free sites offered by the United States Government. There are many archives now on-line with collections that might help you with your research.

These links below are also on our Resources Page, but this personal genealogy account was recently posted on the U.S. Government Gab blog.  http://blog.usa.gov/roller/govgab/entry/family_genealogy

"My mom used to tell her school friends that she was related to the actor, Roy Rogers. She wasn't. As a kid I used to tell people I was half German, half English, half Irish, and half American. Knowing these two things, you could extrapolate that my family tree contains liars and people that can't do fractions.


On my dad's side, it was believed that my first ancestor in America was born in Germany, because he spoke German. Some relatives said he came to America with a brother and that they were from Frankfurt, Germany. However, these details turned out to be incorrect.  Within a short generational span, no one in the family spoke German and the family history was lost.

My sister, Paula, the “Nancy Drew” of the family, decided to do some research because she was interested in the details of our ancestry. When she told me she wanted to check into thisI suggested she start with the USA.gov Family History and Genealogy page. It is a great launch point with all kinds of links to other resources.

She then went to the National Archives website. The National Archives has a terrific Genealogists/Family Historian web section. They have guidance on how to start your family history search, search-able databases, publications, and a list of independent researchers you can hire to help you with family history search.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. You can make requests for USCIS to search its historical indices for file citations related to particular individual. From that information you can request copies of specific records. Check the site for the fees for index searches and copies of documents.

If you are of Native American ancestry, you may want to go to the Department of Interior to trace your Indian ancestry. They have guidance on determining if you are eligible for tribal membership.

Although my sister was able to obtain additional information about my great-grandfather, it was only dates and locations. She didn't learn what motivated my great-grandfather to leave Prussia, why he chose to settle in Iowa, how he felt passing through Ellis Island, or what his circumstances were as an immigrant. Those are the types of details that can only be learned through the intimate sharing of family stories. While you are conducting your search into the past, don't forget to pass on your family stories and share your history with your children."

 Have fun!