Rockdale County GaArchives Photo Document.....Newsletter-Rockdale County Genealogical Society January 14, 2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Larry C. Knowles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002854 January 14, 2008, 1:44 pm Source: Larry C. Knowles-Editor Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/rockdale/photos/documents/newslett15017gph.gif Image file size: 138.1 Kb NEWSLETTER-ROCKDALE COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY--page 1 of 3 Jeans & Genes-[page 1] Rockdale County Genealogical Society Newsletter-February 2008 To DNA or not to DNA? Genealogy's latest tool has its limitations In genealogy we are always looking for ways to extend our lineage into the past. DNA tests are the most recent, most expensive, and most controversial tool for doing that. The study of DNA(deoxyribonucleic acid) is a science, and can get very technical in terms and scope. For basic use in genealogy the science is divided into two groups, mtDNA(mitochondrial)and Y-DNA(Y- chromosome). The former is passed from mother to both sons and daughters, but is only continued in the female line. In other words, your grandmother's mtDNA would pass to her son & daughter, but only through the daughter, to granddaughter, to great granddaughter, etc. The great granddaughter's son, however, would have the same mtDNA profile as his mother, his grandmother, his great grandmother, etc. As mtDNA changes very slowly[and is only extended in the maternal line]it is best for deep genetic studies. In theory if Leaky's "Lucy" in Africa had viable mtDNA, many modern women could trace lineage to her! Prince Phillip of England, a direct descendant of Queen Victoria, supplied the mtDNA sample which verified the bodies of the Russian Imperial family-the Romanovs, killed in the Russian revolts in 1917. Since surnames change in our maternal lines with each marriage, mtDNA is not a great tool for genealogy research. Like mtDNA, Y-DNA relies on samples, and on their comparison to other samples. So if you are trying to prove your descent from Peter the Great with DNA, you should first get a sample of his DNA-or from his paternal uncle, as happened in the Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings(slave) findings! The Y-chromosome is passed only in the male lineage, from father to son. Small chemical "markers"(alleles) on the chromosome form patterns(haplotypes-sort of like a barcode)which have been shown to distinguish one male line from another. These patterns are useful in matching suspected related individuals, particularly those who share the same surname. For that reason alone, numerous DNA surname groups are forming; to prove or disprove genetic linkages in same- named men, but not their actual relationships(that still requires traditional methods). I joined such a group in 2004, after the paper trail ended on my paternal line here in Georgia, in Hancock County(1794). I learned of the study through a family association[Knowles/Knoles/Noles FA]a good way to get involved in your general genealogy. These same-name groups are clearly the way to go with DNA! Some large groups get a discount on the tests. The number of test markers determines its cost, and the overall usefulness of your sample. The sample itself is a simple swab or scraping from inside your cheek. In my case the surname-Knowles-was derived from the place name hill(Old English for knoll). So, Robert of the hill(Knowles)might have the same name as George of the hill(Knowles)-yet they might not have ever met, much less have been related. Traditional genealogists in the US have found at least 26 different spellings of the name. Conventional methods and DNA samples have defined over 200 different progenitors! Ultimately, DNA will help sort many of those disparate families. As the DNA databases grow, individuals will discover which ancestor is theirs, and will hopefully then be able to extend their family lines. [continued on page 2] Additional Comments: There have been several minor corrections to the intial published edition. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/rockdale/photos/documents/newslett15017gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb