The recent four hour PBS program on "African American Lives" (which was very
good, by the way) included results of DNA testing on some of the participants. This has
caused some confusion about DNA testing and I'm posting a clarification here.
The Y-DNA test that we use in our surname study is NOT the same DNA test that attempts to
provide percentages of ancestry. That is called (among other things) biogeographical
ancestry/testing It is a test that attempts to determine percentages of African,
Indo-European, East Asian, and Native American ancestry. An example of the results would
look like: 98% European, 2% Sub-Saharan African, 0% East Asian, 0% Native American.
While DNA testing in general is in its infancy (well, maybe by now toddler stage), this
test is in the embryo (perhaps could be upgraded to infancy) state. It is best used for
fun (recreational information) at this time. Before ordering such a test, be sure you
understand what you are getting so that you will not be disappointed (for example, two
siblings can take this test and get completely different results!). Ancestry by DNA, also
known as DNAPrint, offers this test (it is more expensive than our Y-DNA tests). The
company we use for our Y study does not offer the test.
Here are two levelheaded post on this subject in the Genealogy-DNA RootsWeb discussion
list archives:
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/GENEALOGY-DNA/2006-02/1139668533
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/GENEALOGY-DNA/2006-02/1139688033
Again - let me repeat, this is not the Y-DNA test used in our surname study.
Georgia
Georgia Kinney Bopp,
Y-DNA Surname Project Admin. for
Kinney & Variations
Lenhart & Variations
English & Variations
Bobb (includes Bopp) & Variations
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gkbopp/DNA/DNA.htm