Both sides of the story — Combination Paternal & Maternal Lineage Testing


It can happen something like this:  you’ve just decided to take the genetic genealogy plunge.  You’ve heard about it on the radio, listened to other researchers share their experiences, and feel you finally are beginning to understand what a marker and haplogroup are.  You are eager to discover ancient and genealogical findings on your family, but…which line should you choose?  

The next step is to identify the proper DNA participant to represent your targeted lineage.  When deciphering among hypotheses on the various branches of your family tree, take note of the Combination Maternal and Paternal Lineage Testing option provided by Ancestry.com DNA.  With a single test purchase, you can create a more complete DNA profile by exploring both sides of the family simultaneously.  

Not only will you receive notifications of matches with potential genetic cousins with whom you could collaborate and expand your family tree; but you’ll also be able to attach DNA representative of both your maternal and paternal lines to your on-line family tree.  This act alone will multiply your outreach with other researchers.  Think of it this way:  your maternal and paternal ancestors are stepping forward to help you connect with genetic cousins and tell the full story of your ancient origins from up to 100,000 years ago.

Another way to make more connections is to participate in DNA Groups.  There is no limit to the number of groups of which you can be a part, so search out groups from each line, geographic locale, or haplogorup to which you are a part.  If DNA from each participant on all applicable lines is attached to the family trees, think of the increased awareness and additional sources for investigating a potential match with your family–we may even get a little closer to “the rest of the story.”

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February 12th, 2009
22 Responses
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Reader Comments

Comment Number:
1
Written by:
car show
Posted on:
February 13, 2009 at 3:11 am

As we know that Due to the laws of genetic inheritance, true biological siblings can vastly differ in how similar or dissimilar their genetic profiles are. Some sibling may share many genes in common, whereas others may have inherited different genes from each parent, and therefore may not appear to have a lot in common. So, it is therefore strongly recommended when undergoing a sibling analysis especially a half sibling test, to include any parent (normally the mother) as this will help improve in the comparison and interpretation of the results.

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Frontline Plus
Posted on:
February 13, 2009 at 4:28 am

mitochondria are surprisingly abundant. An average human cell contains many thousands and occupies a large volume of the cell. The main job of mitochondria is to produce energy and they are very efficient at doing this so that when we run up a flight of stairs, just enough energy is produced. However, it’s the way that the mitochondria, and more importantly the mtDNA inside, is passed on to the next generation that is of most interest to genealogists.

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Nancy Blackwell
Posted on:
February 13, 2009 at 10:13 am

I do not see any instruction on how to add DNA information to the family tree. Can someone help?

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
February 13, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Nancy, please see our blog post on the topic of attaching DNA to trees as well as the previous blog comments relative to the same.

Should you have any further questions, please contact dna@ancestry.com for assistance.

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
Alys
Posted on:
February 13, 2009 at 2:30 pm

I had my mtDNA tested by DNA Ancestry last year. How do I combine the results with the rest of my information filed with Ancestry?

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
February 14, 2009 at 1:36 pm

Alys, what additional information are you trying to combine with your DNA results? Please see the previous comment and blog posts for instructions on attaching DNA to an Ancestry.com family tree.

Comment Number:
7
Written by:
Ginger Smith
Posted on:
February 17, 2009 at 7:29 am

Can I add DNA results from more than one surname to my tree?

Comment Number:
8
Written by:
Linda Wiley
Posted on:
February 17, 2009 at 7:42 am

Can a DNA 1st cousin match be found with me (female) using a possible 1st cousin male with his mother being of paternal line?

Comment Number:
9
Written by:
R Charles Larlham
Posted on:
February 17, 2009 at 10:18 am

I don’t think the combination option was available a few months ago when I got the DNA testing done, so I had myself done for the male side of the family, and my daughter done for mitochondria. I don’t think hers gave us any info on my mother, but mine gave her my family (w/o mito), and hers gave her her mother’s side, right? So, how do I get both of those attached to her in the Family Tree, in which I’ve made her the starting person?

Comment Number:
10
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
February 17, 2009 at 2:53 pm

Ginger, DNA results can be attached within your online family trees. One of the steps allows you to select the appropriate individual to whom the results should be attached. There is no restriction on names of the individual. Results for more than one person may be reflected in a single tree.

Comment Number:
11
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
February 17, 2009 at 2:59 pm

Linda, you can contact dna@ancestry.com with your specific scenario and they can help walk you through possible DNA testing options which may be applicable to various hypotheses in your family.

Comment Number:
12
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
February 17, 2009 at 3:03 pm

Charles, your daughter’s paternal lineage as provided via your personal dna results will be indicated as such on the tree. In other words, she does not have a Y chromosome and thus would not have Y results directly or inferred. Attached to her node on the tree will be her mtDNA results only. Attached to you would be your Y DNA and/or your mtDNA.

Comment Number:
13
Written by:
Cathy
Posted on:
February 18, 2009 at 5:12 pm

I have a dilemma. My father was an only child, who only had two daughters. No other living relatives but my sister and I. My mother had two brothers, and 2 daughters. So I have no brothers. Is there any use in me testing my dna for ancestor information?

Comment Number:
14
Written by:
Delores J. Rempfer
Posted on:
February 20, 2009 at 7:15 pm

I find it difficult to find any info that may assist me in doing my family tree. I know birthdates like my mother-in-law(Ex),when I try to find cencus for her in the town she was born.. Ancestry says cannot find… Is this a scam just to get you to stay longer with your site? I’v honestly found it easier to use a site my son-in-law suggested, (he’s a police officer) that I get better feed back then your site.. Wait to hear your response.

Comment Number:
15
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
February 21, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Cathy, your own DNA will provide insight into your mother’s line. It’s main advantage is in the deeper ancestral information and in eliminating hypotheses on your maternal line. If your research is not yet advanced enough to yield applicable scenarios, then I would suggest contacting one of your maternal uncles to obtain a DNA sample so that you can use the DNA results of that test for researching your mother’s father’s line.

Comment Number:
16
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
February 21, 2009 at 3:31 pm

Delores, your dilemma would best be addressed to the “Searching for Records” section of the blog .

Comment Number:
17
Written by:
Sharon Foster
Posted on:
February 22, 2009 at 1:56 am

I am most interested in learning the content of my ethnic makeup, i.e., the percentages. I also am interested in my native american heritage. It is not clear to me which test(s) I should take. Your imput would be greatly appreciated.

Sharon

Comment Number:
18
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
February 23, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Sharon, to see an example of the full report provided by Ancestry.com DNA, please visit here. We do not provide percentage breakdowns of ethnicities. See also our FAQs.

Comment Number:
19
Written by:
Barbara
Posted on:
February 27, 2009 at 10:00 am

I have been trying to connect an 18c & 19c. father & son. I can connect from myself to Henry(the son) & I can connect his father, John, back, but I have not been able to find written data connecting Henry to John.
Would DNA testing help to discover that connection//or to connect our present-day family to my original colonial ancestors?
Also, this line is on my mother’s side. Who should be tested – my
brother or me. Thank you (I guess I’m still a little confused)

Comment Number:
20
Written by:
John McCartney
Posted on:
March 1, 2009 at 1:33 pm

Hi Wendy,
Recently we lost the ability to search the SMGF database from Ancestry, which was quite helpful. Any chance we can get it back?
I realize that they now require searchers to be logged in. But getting a login is quite simple and their data is interesting.
jm

Comment Number:
21
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
March 2, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Hi John, yes, the SMGF quick link was removed from our site following the login requirement impossed by SMGF. In looking into this, we’ve determined additional complexity. We are working on several levels to restore the quick search, if at all possible. Please visit the site often for new releases.

Comment Number:
22
Written by:
Wendy Jessen, Ancestry.com
Posted on:
March 2, 2009 at 9:50 pm

Barbara, in order for DNA testing to help you in your given situation, you would need to identify a documented male descendant from both Henry and John. These individuals would submit their DNA for a Y chromosome test. Comparing the two results would provide a benchmark indicating if the two lines share a common ancestor. It is through the marriage of both the traditional research and the DNA testing that brickwalls are overcome.