Your family history and ethnic origins help shape who you are. While you may know basic facts about your recent ancestors, looking deeper into your family tree can uncover fascinating details about your heritage. Genealogical DNA testing through companies like Ancestry DNA test provides a powerful tool to help you trace your roots back hundreds or even thousands of years. In this blog post, we’ll explore how at-home ancestry DNA test kits work, what you can learn from ethnic origin results, and how to interpret your test results to get the most out of your genealogical journey.
How Ancestry DNA Tests Work
AncestryDNA testing analyzes your genotype to determine your ethnic mix. A genotype is your genetic makeup, specifically, the parts of your DNA that can differ between individuals. AncestryDNA inspects hundreds of thousands of locations on your genome, looking for genetic variants associated with different populations worldwide. The more variants you have in common with a particular ethnic group, the more likely you are to share ancestry with that group.
To take an AncestryDNA test, order a kit online, and Ancestry will mail it directly to your home. The kit contains a tube for collecting a saliva sample. Return the tube with your selection to Ancestry’s lab using the provided prepaid package. Your DNA will be extracted and genotyped at the lab using advanced microarray technology. Powerful computer algorithms compare your genetic variants to AncestryDNA’s proprietary reference panel containing genotypes from populations across the globe. Finally, the results are compiled into an ethnicity estimate for you.
Learning Your Ethnic Makeup
One of the most exciting parts of ancestry DNA testing is getting back your ethnicity estimate and finding out the gender of the baby. This details your origins across more than 1,000 geographic regions. You’ll discover the percentage of your DNA aligned with genetic groups from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. The results show how your ancestors spread around the globe over thousands of years.
For many, ethnicity reveals ancestors from entirely unexpected parts of the world. Even those who believe they already know their origins often get surprises in their DNA ancestry composition. Finding a diverse ethnic background can inspire you to learn more about cultures you have never connected with.
Some key facts to understand about ancestry DNA ethnicity estimates:
● Estimates are based on genetic population groups, not modern country borders. For example, you may show 10% French rather than 10% France.
● The estimates have a certain degree of uncertainty inherent in the science. Your results summary will show a range for each origin.
● Ethnicity inheritance is an unpredictable process. You won’t necessarily get ethnicity percentages that precisely mirror family tradition.
● Results represent recent ancestry over the past 500 years or so, not prehistoric origins tens of thousands of years ago.
● Ongoing research at Ancestry refines the estimates over time so your results can shift with periodic updates.
Finding Genetic Relatives
In addition to your ethnic mix, ancestry DNA testing unlocks the ability to connect with relatives you never knew you had! AncestryDNA maintains a database of all tested members. When you opt-in to its finder features, it automatically searches for DNA matches with genetic cousins.
You can message and share information with mutual DNA matches to collaborate on building your extended family tree. Some heartwarming stories of relatives finding each other through AncestryDNA results include:
● Adoptees reuniting with biological parents or siblings
● Discovering half-siblings from a parent’s previous relationship
● Meeting cousins descended from ancestors who migrated to different continents
● Finding the living descendants of a beloved grandparent’s brother who died young
One unique aspect of AncestryDNA is that it leverages genealogical records from the billions of names in its Ancestry® family trees. This adds context to your DNA matches and can help you rapidly fill in branches of your tree.
Early Ancestry for a Baby
Parents curious about a newborn baby’s genetic origins can have their child’s DNA tested. AncestryDNA offers a simple infant DNA test using a non-invasive cheek swab collection. The Baby Ancestry DNA test cost $119 and offers benefits like:
● Learning the baby’s ethnic mix from all branches of the family tree
● Entry into ancestry DNA database to connect with relatives
● Identifying any genetic health risks to inform medical care
● Keepsake of the baby’s unique DNA makeup at this early stage of life
Perhaps most exciting is that parents can learn about their baby’s ancient ancestors and share these first chapters of origin with them later in life. Of course, consent and privacy for the child’s data should always be handled carefully. But DNA testing allows a baby to embark on their genealogical journey right from the start.
Interpreting and Understanding Your Results
It takes some guidance to interpret your ancestry DNA results correctly. AncestryDNA provides helpful tools within your online account to assist with analyzing your ethnicity estimate and DNA matches. Here are some tips for navigating your results:
● Carefully read all sections of your ethnicity summary and multi-generation background. The ranges given are as crucial as the percentages.
● For less precise origins like “Northwest Europe,” study the map of potential genetic regions. Your ancestors could be German, Dutch, Scottish, etc.
● Click into each ethnicity region to see top DNA matches and associated ancestral surnames. This provides more context.
● Use the ThruLinesTM feature to explore your matches’ trees further and find possible ancestors you have in common.
● Re-check your results periodically, as estimates can be updated based on AncestryDNA’s improving reference panel.
● Take advantage of AncestryDNA customer service for guidance in interpreting surprising or confusing results. Often, there are simple explanations for discrepancies.
Discovering your family origins goes far beyond just the initial unveiling of your DNA results. Learning your ethnic makeup invites a deeper exploration of who your ancestors were and how they shaped you. Let your DNA test open up a world of unknown heritage for you to embrace.
Conclusion
AncestryDNA testing provides a powerful glimpse into your genetic origins from all over the world. Whether you are hoping to fill gaps in your family tree, connect with unknown relatives, or learn the geographic reach of your ancestors, an ancestry DNA test kit can unlock valuable insights into your heritage. While no test can reveal your complete genealogy, unlocking the broad strokes of your ethnic mix gives you a foundation. Interpret your results thoughtfully, follow up on DNA matches diligently, and let your DNA guide you into a lifetime of ancestral discovery.
