GENETIC GENEALOGY, page 4
Note 2009: this section is completely out of date and needs to be revised. For example, Relative Genetics has been replaced by Ancestry.com's testing service.
Testing Companies.
For several years the three main testing companies have been Family Tree DNA (FTDNA, http://www.familytreedna.com ) and Relative Genetics (RG, http://www.relativegenetics.com/index.jsp ) based in the USA, and Oxford Ancestor (OA, http://www.oxfordancestors.com/ ) based in England. All three also offer mtDNA tests and some specialized tests, and all three offer discounts for surname projects. A relatively new company, DNAHeritage (http://www.dnaheritage.com/ ), only offers y-chromosome tests at the time of this writing. DNAHeritage is based in England but currently uses an American laboratory (the same lab as RG). Although this is not the place for a full review of the various labs, we can report that we have been pleased with the service that FTDNA has provided for our Hamman family project. Oxford Ancestors currently offers the fewest markers (10, one of which has little variability) at a fairly high cost (currently on sale for US$249); while DNAHeritage tests 23 to 43 markers for a very reasonable cost (currently US$5.99 per marker or US$137.77 for 23 markers). Relative Genetics currently (Feb 2005) charges $195 for 43 markers. FTDNA charges $169 for a 25 marker test within a surname project. Undoubtedly prices and services will change as competition and scientific advances continue. FTDNA and DNAHeritage’s websites are good sources for additional information on using DNA for family history, and include information ranging from basic tutorials to copies of recent scientific papers from professional journals. FTDNA also offers SNP tests after you have had your y-chromosome tested. This allows you to confirm a suspected membership in one of the major haplogroups.
There are a number of other labs offering various services, and there will likely be more in the future. Some appear to be repackaging the services of the better-known labs, although this is not always clear from the company websites. Two labs among many are Trace Genetics ((http://www.tracegenetics.com/) and GeoGene (http://www.geogene.com/). The former specializes in recovery of ancient DNA and in Native American ancestry, but also offers y-chromosome and mtDNA tests. The latter lab offers SNP tests on the y-chromosome or mtDNA analyses to determine into which of the world-wide haplogroups you fit.
Conclusion.
The most effective use of y-chromosome or other DNA testing for genealogical purposes will be either within a Family Surname project or when testing a specific hypothesis about a possible common ancestry of two individuals. Hypotheses about whether two people share a common ancestor through matrilineal lines may be tested using mtDNA. But not every genealogical puzzle can be solved with DNA, and it is important that participants realize that there is no guarantee that the results will be as desired or expected. However, under the appropriate circumstances, genetic or molecular genealogy can be a powerful tool to substantiate or disprove hypotheses where traditional documentation is weak or non-existent.
Last Updated: Feb 2005; Copyright 2004-2005, Philip Ritter