GENEALOGY-DNA-L Archives
Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2001-01 > 0979081804
From:
Subject: Re: [DNA] Adopted grandfather / what to read
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 18:10:04 EST
In a message dated 1/9/2001 10:46:12 AM Pacific Standard Time,
writes:
> I sent my message to you personally because
> I didn't think it had any value for the list.
Well, I for one think messages like yours do have value for the whole list.
Everyone's situation will be unique, but you can benefit from more than one
opinion and the list members can benefit by seeing examples of how DNA
testing might apply in their own specific cases.
> If DNA testing is practical and I get agreement from
> the people concerned, how do I go about gathering the
> DNA and having it analyzed?
It sounds to me like DNA testing is practical for your situation. You will be
checking to see if your Y-chromosome patterns match those of one or more
selected males descended in a straight line of males with the same surname in
your grandfather's home town. The presumption is that these will all have the
the same Y-chromosome.
If you do get a match, the probability will be very high that your
grandfather came from the same family. If you don't get a match, there are
two explanations -- your grandfather's father is actually from a different
family, or there are "non-paternity events" in one (or both!) of the lines
you are testing. It would require a larger sample to figure out non-paternity
events, and this can move into delicate territory. I'd start with testing
yourself and one cooperative representative from the home town.
You can check web sites of firms which will perform tests on Y-chromosomes,
such as genetree.com, oxfordancestors.com, and familytreedna.com. The actual
DNA collection is quite simple -- the firm you select will send you kits with
brushes or swabs to rub inside your cheek.
Let us know how things turn out if you decide to proceed...
Ann Turner
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