There are several different DNA projects currently underway around
the world.
Projects for
males (Y Chromosome DNA) include:
- Paternal Lineage projects - two different variations:
- Surname Projects for all who have the same surname or a
variant.
- Projects specific to a common ancestor.
- Geographical Projects to verify a possible point of origin
for the paternal line.
Projects for females (Mitochondrial DNA) include:
- Maternal Lineage Projects for individuals that are of the
same maternal line.
- Mitochondrial Geographical Projects to verify a possible
point of origin for a maternal line.
Dual Geographic Projects (such as the genographic DNA testing
discussed below) cover both males and females. Males can
test either MT-DNA or Y-DNA. Females can test only MT-DNA.
Clan DNA Testing
Many Scottish clans are sponsoring Y-DNA testing to prove lines of descent. For a list of clans conducting Y-DNA testing, CLICK HERE.
Y-DNA testing can provide new information about additional family branches to investigate on the way to creating a complete family tree.
Before you rush to sign up, though, you might want to read about the
Clan Hamilton DNA adventure - "Clan
Hamilton DNA Shock" listed under the CLAN NEWS &
TIDBITS section on the Menu at left.
If you pursue DNA testing through your clan, you could find out something about your lineage you'd rather not know!
Other DNA Testing Projects
A list of projects (other than the clan DNA projects) listed by Familytreedna.com can be found at
http://www.familytreedna.com/projects.aspx. Some projects are so
small they have no significant results.
Genographic DNA Testing by National Geographic
The National Geographic Society is sponsoring a Genographic project to find the origins of our ancient ancestors and to follow their migration paths around the world.
This genographic project is open to males and females. Females can test only Mitochondrial DNA (mother's origins). Males can test either Y chromosome DNA (father's origins) or Mitochondrial DNA (mother's origins).
This project will not show anything about your ancestors except where they originated and how they got to their destination.
"The Genographic Project is seeking to chart new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species by using sophisticated laboratory and computer analysis of DNA contributed by hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. In this unprecedented and of real-time research effort, the Genographic Project is closing the gaps of what science knows today about humankind's ancient migration stories."
More information can be found at https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html
