Introduction to DNA testing for Genealogy
In recent years a new tool has been developed which can be used for genealogical purposes. This tool is DNA testing. An online company called "FamilyTree DNA" encourages people to get involved. A "Kauffman Surname Project" was started in 2003. Results to the fall of 2006 are summarized in an article by Ellen Coffman, "The Genetic Genealogy of Some Mennonite and Amish Kauffman-Coffman Families", Mennonite Family History, Vol. XXV, No 4, (October, 2006), p. 198.
How does y-DNA testing work?
Y-DNA testing searches for common ancestors by comparing y-DNA samples from living males. All males have one "Y" chromosome in their DNA. (Females do not have y-DNA in their systems.) A father makes a copy of his y-DNA and passes it to his son. The son passes it to his son, and so it goes, down through the generations. A living Kauffman male will have y-DNA from a grandfather many generations back in time. Two living Kauffman males will have matching y-DNA if they have a common ancestor. The term "Most Recent Common Ancestor" (MRCA) is used to designate the connection. To make this tool useful at least two subjects must be tested. If the two subjects have matching DNA then they have a common ancestor; they are genetically related. A DNA test will not tell WHO the common ancestor is, only that there IS a common ancestor. Genealogists must then compare paper-trail research to determine the WHO.
How many markers are needed? While
a 12 marker test will provide sufficient information to match surnames one
should consider getting a 25 or 37 marker test to better integrate with
genealogical research. 25 and especially 37 markers will provide a
reasonable understanding if a MRCA with another participant exists. MRCA
matches at this level will provide significant clues about relationships between
the various identified US immigrants from the 1700 and 1800's.
Paper trail documentation
Traditional research looks for paper documents to prove relationships. We call this "paper-trail" research. When two or more are tested and found to MATCH they then need to share what they know of their pedigrees in order to determine WHO the common ancestor is. This adds to the findings of DNA testing alone.
DNA extends farther back in time than most paper documentation. It is possible to learn through DNA testing that two individuals are related, even though it might not be possible to know the common ancestor. If the paper trail does not exist all that can be known is that there IS a common ancestor.
Links to other explanations:
- http://www.familytreedna.com/faq.html
- http://www.familytreedna.com/dna101.html
- The Yoder Newsletter project -- http://www.yodernewsletter.org/dna.html