Ancestry DNA Test

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Ancestry DNA Test

Unlike Paternity DNA testing which compares DNA among individuals, an Ancestry DNA Test analyzes your DNA and compares it with various populations. With the help of Ancestry DNA Testing, you can get an overall picture of where your ancestors came from.

How Ancestry DNA Testing Works

Ancestry DNA Tests work on one main principle – your DNA is compared with the samples of various ethnicities and geographical populations. Your results are determined by the similarities you have to certain population groups. This helps identify probable locations your ancestors might have lived.

Do I need all of these tests to learn my ancestry?

As every test has its limitations and scope, you may need more than one test to be sure of the results.

What are the best sources for DNA samples?

A cheek swab is the easiest if available. If not we can use hair roots, used razors, or licked stamps or envelopes, which can contain traces of DNA.

Using DNA testing kits

A cheek-swab kit: This is a painless method and involves scraping the inside of your cheek using the sterile swab as provided with the kit. This is the preferred method.
Saliva Tube:In this tube, you have to spit as per the mentioned volume and send it back for testing. Some labs use this method, but we use swabs.

Will I learn the exact location of my ancestors with an Ancestry DNA Test?

The methodology of an Ancestry DNA Test is to compare your DNA to a reference database of DNA samples from modern humans residing in various regions. As such, it’s not exact, but it will present a good overall picture.

Can I order an Ancestry DNA test online?

You can test with us in our Morton Grove clinic, or we can send you the kit. Your kit will contain all the supplies and instructions for specimen collection and prepaid shipping to the lab. If you would like to use this option, give us a call.

Three Types Of Ancestry DNA Testing

There are three types of DNA tests used to identify your ancestry .

Autosomal DNA

This test provides information about ethnicities and possible regional connections.
This test is based on the fact that human offspring inherits half of its DNA from each parent.
This test can trace back your ancestry up to 6 generations.

Y-DNA

This test helps determine the paternal lineage.
A male’s Y-DNA is very similar to his great-grandfather as the Y-chromosome or the Y-DNA is passed to the son from the father unchanged.
With the aid of this test, you can trace your ancestry back at least 10 generations.
For females, who have no Y-DNA, often a male relative, such as a brother, paternal uncle or nephew is used if available for testing.

mtDNA

This test is similar to Y-DNA, except that this is applicable to mothers and daughters.
The test is based on the fact that mothers pass Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to their daughters.
The scope of this test is limited and can work only in a smaller span of the family tree.