There are four basic types of ancestry DNA tests available. They look at different types of DNA, and provide different types of information. Each ancestry DNA test looks at short sequences of DNA called genetic markers, or DNA markers. Together, information about these markers make up your "genetic profile," which you can compare with others.

Ethnic Makeup
Paternal Lineage
Maternal Lineage
Y-SNP Tests
X-DNA Tests
Test Prices and Ordering

Ethnic Makeup

Autosomal DNA tests look at markers in the 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes (which both men and women have) and can tell you about your ethnic ancestry. There are two kinds of autosomal DNA tests: Admixture and Top Population Matching.

Admixture tests will tell you the percentage each of the following ethnic groups has contributed to your genetic profile: African, Native American, European, and East Asian. Although these percentages are estimates, they can give you a good snapshot of your ancestry. However, because you inherit a unique random assortment of DNA from your mother and father your results can be different from a family member's — even a sibling's.

Top Population Matching tests compare your DNA markers to those of other people in regional and cultural groups world-wide. You will learn how your DNA markers match up with people who have tested from other populations. A ranking of these population matches can give you an idea of where your ancestors may have originated. DNA Direct will be offering Top Population Matching tests in Janurary 2008.

Paternal Lineage

Y-DNA tests make it possible to see how men within a family are related because Y chromosomes are passed only from fathers to sons. You can also take the Y-DNA test if you're interested in seeing whether your paternal lineage is African, European, or some other ethnic group. Since women do not have Y chromosomes, they may ask a male relative such as their father or brother to take the Y-DNA test.

Y-DNA tests are available with different levels of detail. They may analyze as few as 12 DNA markers or as many as 67.

• Two men with 12 matching DNA markers have a 95% likelihood of sharing a common ancestor within the last 29 generations.
• Two men with 37 matching DNA markers have a 95% likelihood of sharing a common ancestor within the last 13 generations.
• Two men with 67 matching DNA markers have a 95% likelihood of sharing a common ancestor within the last 6 generations.

DNA Direct offers a 33-marker Y-DNA test and a 46-marker Y-DNA test through with our preferred provider, Ancestry.com. These two tests have a level of detail that is suitable for most people. Other companies may look at different DNA markers and will have different results databases as well. It's important to choose a company with a good reputation for both their genetic tests and customer service.

Maternal Lineage

Mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, is inherited only from our mothers. Mitochondria are found in all of our cells and serve our bodies by generating ATP which is used by our bodies as a primary source of energy. During fertilization only eggs have mitochondria; sperm have mitochondria in their tails, but this portion of the sperm comes off prior to fertilization. Tests looking at mtDNA in both men and women give information on maternal lineage only. If your mtDNA profile matches another person's, it is very likely that you share a common female ancestor. You can also take a mtDNA test to learn more about your ethnic ancestry or to trace your maternal lineage to one of the Seven Daughters of Eve¹, prehistoric women who shared a common maternal ancestor named Mitochondrial Eve.

A range of mtDNA tests are available that analyze different regions of the mtDNA sequence:

• HVR1 tests look at the segment numbered 16001 to 16569. Two people who have the same mtDNA HVR1 genetic markers have a 50% likelihood of sharing a common ancestor within the last 52 generations.
• HVR2 tests look at the segment numbered 00001 to 00574. Two people who have the same mtDNA HVR1 and HVR2 genetic markers have a 50% likelihood of sharing a common ancestor within the last 28 generations.
• HVR3 tests look at the segment numbered 438 to 576.
• Full sequence tests look at the complete mtDNA, including HVR1, HVR2, and HVR3.
  

DNA Direct offers a mtDNA test that analyzes both HVR1 and HVR2 through our partner, Ancestry.com. This mtDNA test has a level of detail that is suitable for most people. 

Y-SNP Tests 

Unlike the Y-DNA marker tests mentioned above, Y-SNP tests examine single base changes in the Y chromosome (called "SNPs", single nucleotide polymorphisms) instead of sections of DNA (single tandem repeats). Y-SNP testing gives you a different picture of your ancestry and DNA Direct is not offering it at this time. Y-SNP genetic tests are available from DNA Heritage.

X-DNA Tests

X-DNA tests, which analyze DNA from the X chromosome, are among the newest offerings in genetic genealogy. You can use X-DNA tests to learn more about family relationships in recent generations or to reconstruct your family trees. Currently, X-DNA testing is rare and the usefulness of this test is limited so DNA Direct is not currently offering this test. X-DNA tests are available from Family Tree DNA.

Test Prices and Ordering

Not sure which test is right for you? Our FIND tool can help

1. The Seven Daughters of Eve
2. Family Tree DNA Y-DNA Marker Testing
3. Family Tree DNA mtDNA Results Tutorial