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- To Augment Traditional Research
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The use of DNA as a genealogical tool is complementary to--not
independent of--traditional genealogical research. We're all too
familiar with the fact that the "paper trail" sometimes provides
incomplete or conflicting information. In other cases, we may suspect
two disjointed lineages are connected, but we have no documentation to
support the assertion. Worse yet, there can exist "proven" lines which
are actually incorrect (perhaps based on faulty assumptions,
misinterpretations, etc.). In all of these cases, DNA provides an
unbiased method for validating (or debunking) conclusions that are
based on traditional genealogical methods.
- The Y Chromosome is the Key
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The Y chromosome is transmitted from father to sons. Scientists have
identified a small portion of the Y chromosome which is passed
virtually unchanged. Testing of this portion of the Y chromosome
provides information about the direct male line, which is the father,
his father, and so forth back in time. The locations tested on the Y
chromosome are called Markers. Occasionally a mutation (i.e., a small
change) occurs at one of the Markers in the Y chromosome. These
occasional mutations, which are estimated to occur about once every 500
generations per Marker, can sometimes be valuable for genealogists in
identifying a branch of the family tree. Thus, by comparing
the Markers of two individuals, we can determine if the two are
related. If they are related, we can then find approximately how
recently their common ancestor lived.
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