Dna And Family History Research - The Truth About Your Results

A lot of people are under the misunderstanding that DNA testing can reveal their entire family history. I blame it on those cop shows where every case comes to a successful close based on DNA evidence alone and half of a smudged fingerprint. DNA and family history are connected to a certain degree, however not as closely as most individuals think.

As an example, by using DNA testing you can determine the ethnic and racial backgrounds that have gone into your own genetic makeup. But unless you also have a DNA sample from Napoleon, you could not just take a look at your own DNA results and verify that you are related to him. You would want a sample of his DNA for comparison and even then the most you could tell is that you were descended from Napoleon however you would not be able to determine along what lines.

Therefore for example you're just beginning to research your family tree and you've got no idea where to start. If you perform a DNA test the best you'll be able to determine is your racial and/or ethnic origin. However that can at least give you a starting point. You can then go on-line to research that area looking for surnames. If you were to find somebody who shares the identical surname and when researching you suspect the two of you may be related, then another DNA test might be performed and by comparing the results from each of your tests you'd be able to find out if you were related. This test still would not tell you however in what manner you were related, merely that you share similar genetic material.

Using DNA for family history research is useful in that you'll use it to eliminate possibilities but it does not point them out to you. You still have to do the legwork and research the old-fashioned way - visiting libraries, churches, archives, town halls, hospitals, etc. And you still have to speak to people to collect information. But the exchanging of family stories and legends is what makes researching your family history so much fun.

Think about it. The reason you're researching your family history is typically because you are curious about the history, the special events and little stories that make your family unique. How much fun would it be if all you had to do to find out Napoleon was you great-great-great-great-grandfather was to swab out your mouth and be done with it? And whether or not it did work like that, if you are a true history buff you'd still want to do the legwork and research to find out all the little details and juicy bits of family gossip. Using DNA for family history analysis ought to only be one small step of the process. Use it to verify information when necessary however do not expect miracles. Even those cops have to do a little legwork before they wrap it all up in a bow and identify the murderer by the DNA he left on a cigarette butt.