GoBuckeyes
On Time Out
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2016
- Messages
- 5,192
- Reaction score
- 30,181
I'm sorry, I'm trying to reply so quickly, I'm afraid I did not answer your question fully.
Autosomal DNA is the most common DNA testing, and it is the one used to build a DNA family tree. That kind of tree is separate and distinct from a family tree a person might claim as their ancestors or what is written in a book, a family Bible or baptismal records/birth records.
Y-DNA can be used to help identify a male line of ancestry. Mitochondrial or mtDNA is helpful to confirm a female line of ancestry. Both are not as specific as autosomal DNA, but I do know of several instances where it revealed the truth surrounding a person's birth.
Familial DNA testing as now used by LE is based on autosomal DNA testing. Once the results are ready, they are uploaded to a database to find matches, usually they are at the 4th or 5th cousin level. Then the real work begins because you don't automatically have a name or surname. You have to start building DNA trees using genealogical detective work and try to find the point where those DNA trees come together to one family and one person.
JMO.
Recently, my sister submitted her DNA to an ancestory site. She is adopted and was curious what it might reveal. She found several second cousins. I was really surprised. We know she is the only child of her bio Dad. She does have some half bio sibs on her maternal side. But we were both very surprised at the level of detail that resulted. The 2nd cousins were dispersed across several states. I didn't realize that the DNA companies had become so popular so quickly.