Genealogy has been a hobby beloved by generations of people. The meticulous family histories compiled by individuals eventually become more than just heirlooms; they become records of where family members have come from. These histories can reveal first-person accounts of how new branches of the family tree formed and merged with other groups. Until recently genealogists had to rely primarily on records that were written down. Today it is possible to apply advanced genetic science to the study of family history. Genetic testing ancestry can tell you in precise detail just where your ancestors came from. A single test could tell you more about yourself than you might have ever imaged.
Why Genetic Ancestral Testing is Valuable
Even though genealogy and family history study is frequently regarded as a hobby, the genetic component of this study can have some very important implications. DNA tests from Gtldna.com reveal all kinds of interesting information, such as:
- Connection with far-flung ethnic groups
- Possible involvement of personal ancestors in major migratory events
- Connection with distinctive indigenous populations such as Native Americans and Canadian First Nations peoples
- Identification of lost or forgotten ancestral groups
- Links to genetically distinct populations
Many groups, including European Jews and Eastern European ethnic groups, have interrupted family legacies. Identifying a connection with these groups can help restore a lost heritage. These and other interrupted legacies sometimes have profound implications for people today. Occasionally, genetic testing ancestry is medically recommended in order to correctly identify a condition affecting a patient; some conditions are known to disproportionally affect certain ethnic groups and so establishing a genetic link to those groups may help guide treatment.
What an Ancestral Test Will Tell You
When you receive the results of your ancestral test, you might have a hard time making sense of the information it contains. Generally, you can expect the results report to be broken down into sections for easy reading. The overview section will generally contain a list of peoples to whom you have a genetic link to. Each entry on the list is followed by a percentage. This percentage can reflect the relative amount of ancestral genetic influence present in your personal DNA; it also provides some idea of how far back certain influences might be found. For instance, a very small percentage likely reflects that that influence took place many generations ago and in minimal concentrations. Larger percentages reflect more current influence and greater concentrations over time.
Testing Multiple Generations
To get a really comprehensive picture of your personal genetic heritage, consider submitting samples from yourself, your parents, and any living grandparents related by blood. As was mentioned above, small percentages of genetic influences dilute over time. However, the same group that makes up a very small percentage of your personal genetic background may be more strongly evidenced in your grandmother or grandfather. Many tests, especially those that span generations, will give a much broader picture of the genetic heritage of your family tree. This information can be shared at a family reunion or other large get-together.
Ancestral DNA testing can provide a fascinating scientific look at the history hidden inside you. These tests will give you a precise look at your genetic heritage and can provide valuable clues to your family’s history.
My mom was adopted so we have been talking about doing this to find out our heritage. I’m excited to finally know.
Knowing one’s roots is very important. You have to know where you came from in order to know where you are going.
I’ve thought about working on my family tree for so long now, but it’s really a lot of work. I know all of my relatives up through my great grandparents, but then it gets tricky because their parents were all over seas in different countries.
I imagine the results would be incredibly interesting! I know the history of my mom’s side but my dad’s is a little more vague. This is cool.
I would love for my husband to do this. He is adopted and we (his ids and I ) are always wondering what his heritage is. Thanks for sharing this information!
This is the route I would have to go to figure out my heritage. My parents were very strong in their statement – “You were born and raised in America, you are American and should be proud of where you are. Where you came from should not matter it is the past.” I am still curious but understand what they were trying to say as well.
I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do a Genetic Ancestral Test. I’ve seriously looking into this now, thanks for sharing this post.
I have always wanted to know our ancestral tree – it’s nice to learn a lot of stuff in the process too.
I had no idea you could get so much information from Genetic Ancestral Testing.
I’ve always wanted to do a family tree but a little nervous of what they will discover.
My brother bought a kit to create our family tree. I don’t believe he started it yet though. i find it very interesting to hear about peoples ancestors.
I always wanted to do a genealogy testing to find out the history of my background. I have fair skin and red hair. I have freckles my entire family is from Toronto Canada but my mothers dad is Irish or scottish so it would be nice to know exactly where I’m from.
I wish I could trace my family genealogy. I am from Jamaica and my maiden name is one of the commonest names there. It would be near impossible to find my relatives
My aunt is very into genealogy, and has traced my mom’s side of the family all the way back to the Mayflower. It’s cool that there is a test like this now.
My great uncle has been working on our family tree for quite some time. It is interesting to see where we originate (Kim)
My family is from Haiti. They didn’t keep records like they do in other countries. I’ve always wanted to know about my heritage. I should show this to my mother in law. She believes to be part Native.
Thats so cool I had no idea you could find out things like this – I would love to know more about where I came from 🙂 x
I’ve done lots of family history research, but never an DNA testing! Thanks for the information!
I would love to trace my history. That would be interesting.
I have been tracing my family history for years. I am down to 1773.
My husbands grandmother is very big into genealogy. I honestly think she has his family traced almost back to Adam and Eve. It’s very interestig.
My father is collecting as much information about his and my mom’s genealogy as possible. It’s difficult though because many of the documents where my mom’s parents are represented were destroyed or never existed. There are all kinds of stories about where we are from but little proof. It would be nice to have concrete DNA evidence.
What a great way to learn things you might not otherwise have ever known. Even if it was a tad challenging to read, it would def. be worth the effort!
I would love to do this as an extension of my (limited) genealogical research. I bet this would answer some questions!
I’d love to know who my relatives are before my grandparents. It’s crazy but all of my grandparents were adopted so I have no idea!
id love to know where my grandparents came from and beyond ,I think Ireland.
I’m probably in the minority but I’m adopted by my Dad and have no desire to know anything more about the biological side of my tree.
I would love to take this test. I do not know anything about my history and am really interested in knowing more.
I plan on indulging in this someday when I have the mad money for it. It’s fascinating to find out our heritage. It’s a great way to learn about your family.
My family tree extends to the three parts of the Philippines-so it’s great to know who’s your cousin! It’s important for us to know who your allies are!
Science is meant to advance the live of people, love it when I read something like this!
you have a great blog it is nice to know your back ground
Wow I did not no that DNA testing showed that much I have been doing some of are of my family history and have found a lot of interesting things but have never done the DNA I no one of my2 or 3 cousin did one don’t no if it would apply to me or not, thanks for all the info will read more later
This is such a wonderful opportunity to find out where you come from. I am adopted and have only been able to find out non-identifying information. I get that information about every ten years because what is considered as non-identifying information changes, so I have been able to determine that I am Scots-Irish. I would love to know more, as well as a family health history. I have heard that you can actually get names of living relatives if they have signed a release.