Why should we spring for a Y-DNA test kit? Simply put, Y-DNA testing focuses on tracing direct paternal lines which in turn can provide valuable insights into a family’s origins, break through genealogical “brick walls,” verify paternal relationships, and even help with forensic investigations. Autosomal DNA tests can help narrow down your ethnicity, but Y-DNA can reveal deep ancestral migration patterns and provide connections to male relatives who share the same Y-DNA.
September’s program on Y-Chromosome Insights and Strategies by Richard Hill introduced us to another tool that genealogists can use to confirm, extend, and discover patrilineal ancestry. Richard explained how genetic distance, match thresholds, haplogroups, STRs, group projects, and Y-DNA testing can answer questions about the “relatedness” along the male line.
Y-DNA is passed down directly from father to son, so if a woman wants to confirm a male line, she must test a brother, father, uncle, or cousin. This is what I did for my family research. My father was an only child and had passed away before I could get him tested. Thankfully, I have a brother, and he agreed to test for me. I also wanted to expand my research to additional male lines in my tree, so I recruited my first cousin on my mother’s paternal line, and my first cousin once removed on my paternal grandmother’s male line. There is one branch on my maternal great-grandfather’s tree that couldn’t be tested because I haven’t been able to locate any living male descendants.
I purchased three Family Tree Y-DNA test kits and selected the 37-marker level to test. The results were interesting. Two of my lines came back as G-M201 with the haplogroup G2a found mostly in Europe and England, and my brother was R-M269 with the haplogroup R1b1b2 which placed our father’s line firmly in Northwestern Europe, Germany, and England. My next step will be to use Richard’s lessons to help me locate the smallest genetic distance to locate a common ancestor. I also want to join some group projects to see if I can expand on my male genetic heritage.
My next step will involve contacting the FTDNA Help Center to assist me in getting the most out of my Y-DNA test results. Richard’s presentation has opened a whole new approach to researching my paternal lines. Y-DNA can be a valuable tool for genealogists who have hit that proverbial “brick wall” on some of their male lines. My goal is to extend my family tree on my grandmother’s paternal line, because family-name research hasn’t gone anywhere. I hope that utilizing Y-DNA results will prove more successful.
Have you done Y-DNA testing in your family?