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Hi AllI had my DNA tested a while ago and came up with the following map that roughly shows the journey taken by my paternal ancestors from Africa to Scotland. For me this was a great as my grandfather never knew anything about his father and what this has shown is that his family line was really Irish.Here's the map:
How was the map generated? It seems very interesting, I just wonder how accurate such a map can be, especially dealing with such time-scales. How could they accurately test for patrilineal ancestors? The only way they could possibly even attempt to reconstruct such a migratory pattern is through the analysis of mitochondrial DNA since that is the only DNA that is consistently passed along from generation to generation. Additionaly, mitochondrial DNA is passed through the matrilineal line. This company will do the test, I am suspicious of any company that makes such claims though. The profit motive can lead to people doing funny things sometimes and scamming people over supposed maps of there genetic heritage seems like a perfectly logical place to do it. Neither you or them can prove that the map is either correct or wrong. There is a certain element of faith in their product on the part of the buyer. Lastly, mitochondrial genetic tracing is the scientific standard because it is much better understood and more easily recovered from ancient remains.
ScoutI created the map myself. I don't think any map like this could ever be anything more than a best guestimate; that's certainly what mine is. The company who tested my DNA were a well known lab; I used my DNA - particularly using DNA databases to compare it - to then look at the locations of my genetic relatives which broadly showed a pattern leading west across Europe with some evidence of breakaway branches in other regions. I won't get into the full process behind the creation of the map (it was very long and very tedious) but I followed the DNA evidence, including gradual mutations in my family line, to make best estimates where my genetic relatives from a given place were likely living at a given time. I don't think you were right in some of your statements about mDNA and its easy transmission; Y-chromosomal DNA passes from father to son very regularly. In fact it does so with more regularity than mDNA which has a far faster mutation rate (this was even mentioned in one of the articles you linked to). In recent years a lot of work has happened on Y-chromosomal DNA. You might enjoy this article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070509161829.htmAgain, this map is the product of a lot of research but more importantly it is a bit of fun, looking beyond the usual 2-300 years of family history most people have 🙂
I am aware that mtDNA mutates faster than Y Dna, that is one reason tracking it is more precise. I was not trying to cut on you, juts curious as to how the map was produced. I dont think that DNA mapping is totally useless, I also dont think it is definitive either. It does at least give us an idea of what steps our ancestors took. I do think the map is interesting in a rather abstract sort of way. I can trace my father's side of the family for about 1,000 years and my mother's for about 600. But, I am unusual in that respect, most people I know can only go 2-300 years at most. The only reason I can go farther is because my Grandmother and Aunt did a massive amount of reserach over a period of about 20 years. Sadly, I am only vaguely related to nobility (an Irish Knight), most of my forebears were peasants. When I first started getting into genealogy I was hoping there was a King or Duke in there somewhere.
Hi AllI had my DNA tested a while ago and came up with the following map that roughly shows the journey taken by my paternal ancestors from Africa to Scotland. For me this was a great as my grandfather never knew anything about his father and what this has shown is that his family line was really Irish.
I'm not a specialist but according to your map, your ancestors seem to originate not from Ireland but from present-day Aethiopia (or at last Scotland) ! ???Another famous American's great, great, great grandfather came from Moneygall (Ireland) and he plans to set foot in his ancestral home during a two-day visit to Ireland. Perhaps were they on the same journey, who knows ? 😉http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhideysncwoj/
I am aware that mtDNA mutates faster than Y Dna, that is one reason tracking it is more precise. I was not trying to cut on you, juts curious as to how the map was produced. I dont think that DNA mapping is totally useless, I also dont think it is definitive either. It does at least give us an idea of what steps our ancestors took. I do think the map is interesting in a rather abstract sort of way.I totally agree, it is a nice, abstract representation. I see your point about the mtDNA now - true, it can trace precise steps but if you look at this map there are only about six or seven main steps here, so it is very broad, as you pointed out. Like you said, things like this are not accurate - how could they be? - but for me they present a nice link to an otherwise completely invisible past.
I was hoping there was a King or Duke in there somewhere.
Don't we all!!
I'm not a specialist but according to your map, your ancestors seem to originate not from Ireland but from present-day Aethiopia (or at last Scotland) ! ???Another famous American's great, great, great grandfather came from Moneygall (Ireland) and he plans to set foot in his ancestral home during a two-day visit to Ireland. Perhaps were they on the same journey, who knows ? 😉http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhideysncwoj/
Haha, I see your point but I dare say that narrowing down my family to Ireland makes as much sense as anywhere else when we're talking thousands of years! That is a good point though - the locations in this map aren't meant to be precise, per se, that's why the lines are as thick as they are. Interestingly, one thing DNA studies have shown is that your family also probably originated in eastern Africa (or wherever mine did) as, at a certain point, all families lines converge.
Irish heritage toasted … 'The president pays his way,' said Mr Obama as he slapped down some money on the bar?no worries , no hangover ahead ! (according to his remaining Irish heritage)A "Murdoch source" delight http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3595667/Obamas-in-Ireland-to-discover-roots.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=News
We are all Irish ! (according to a DNA study)http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13965286
