Family Tree DNA

Yesterday my family tree research went hi-tech. Like every CSI on TV does to every suspect on the show, I swabbed the inside of my cheek to collect a DNA sample. Not to prove my complicity in any crime scenes at which I may have left some matching DNA clues behind. My sample is being collected as a tool for genealogical research, to see if a DNA match can help find or prove family connections with others who have similarly shared a sample.

Here’s how it works. Family Tree DNA will test the Y chromosome in the DNA sample I’ve sent them, and store the results in their database. The Y chromosome is passed from male to male, sorry sis, and by matching markers from my Y chromosome with those submitted by others a genetic connection can be proven. I have authorized Family Tree DNA to share my contact information with anyone else in their database for whom they find me to be a match. They won’t be able to tell us how we are connected, but based on the number of matching DNA markers they will be able to tell us how many generations back our most recent common ancestor lived. It will be up to us to then sort out the connection, but the pre-knowledge that a connection does exist will be a powerful incentive for the search.

An obvious starting point for me is with the Casey surname project, by which I will be able to learn if I am genetically related to other Caseys who are participating. At the moment, there are only four participants in the Casey project. But other surname projects on their site have grown much larger, so I guess I need to hope for some growth, or maybe I’ll get lucky with an early match. Mom, Dad, if I’m adopted, now’s the time to finally tell me 🙂 Stay tuned for updates.