Dna's Role In Genealogy

Is DNA a helpful tool in genealogy? Yes, indeed it is. With several television companies hosting their versions of genealogy series, family research is becoming more popular than ever before. In each episode, DNA is used to link the guest of the show to their ancestors and distant cousins. The genealogists usually find famous people and royal connections along with interesting stories about an ancestor's adventures. Most of the guests have interesting people in their tree, and people at home watching begin wondering about their family history. Possibly they could be related to a president, royalty, or perhaps one of their ancestors came to America on the Mayflower. DNA can be used to find people who have a common ancestor, the migration path of ancestors, and distant or close cousins to network. First, DNA can determine if people have a common ancestor. People are more closely related than previously thought. In a book by Spencer Wells, the author writes about studies by doctors Cavalli-Sforza and Lewontin. “The most tantalizing results to come out of the studies was the finding that humans might be more closely related than previously suspected.” () Genographic Project. DNA test can prove or disprove an ancestor. Can determine the
It can help determine which John Smith a person was four times great grandfather, his ethnicity, and possibly his country of origin. Determine if there is a genetic relationship with a group of individuals with the same surname. It can reunite families separated by death, adoption, and distance. It can help create a picture of our ancestors in our mind like Edward Ball says, “ DNA science gives its mighty gifts, like a glimpse of ancient people with their cattle, their changing skin color, and their spurts of lactase.” By finding out our ethnicity, we find the shades of color, possibly religion, and country of origin of our