14 easy lessons on DNA, and how a genealogists can use it to find relatives.
What is Genetic Genealogy? Genealogy is simply the study of one’s family tree or ancestry. Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing to determine the genetic relationship between individuals.
Why would someone want to use DNA for genealogy? There are many reasons but here are a few of the most common:
- To learn more about one’s ancestry
- To prove that one’s family tree reflects one’s actual ancestry
- To prove or disprove the relationship between two people
- To prove or disprove a theory of where people came from
- To break down a brick wall in one’s genealogy research
- To find relatives for those that were adopted, gave up a child for adoption or otherwise do not know their ancestry
- To learn from which ancestor(s) certain traits were inherited
