If you believe you already know a lot about your family history, then you’ll be surprised that there’s a lot more to it. And all these can be found in your DNA.
The human DNA contains information about our genes and is passed down from one generation to another. It helps us have a better understanding of the past and lets us find long-lost relations. You learn a lot more about your ethnic makeup and how your ancestors have migrated. You’ll surely be surprised at what you’ll discover.
When it comes to DNA testing, there are actually three main types: autosomal DNA, YDNA, and mitochondrial DNA. Autosomal DNA is the most common DNA testing being done. All these give you results that contribute to what you already know about your family history as well as new information that will connect you with other people in your family whom you have never met before.
Here are the top three reasons how using DNA can help you better understand your family history.
It helps you discover your origin. Researching about your ancestors and where they came from becomes exciting when you use DNA testing. You’ll be able to find new relatives, from places you didn’t even expect and trace back your ancestry down to the last five generations. This will provide you with a lot more information, allowing you to fill up and expand your family tree. With DNA testing, you’ll be able to find out your deep ancestral origins, as well as their migration routes, like you never thought of before.
It connects you with your family. You may have gone as far as your great grandmother’s ancestors and then got stuck there because of lack of information. Using a DNA test, you don’t have to be stuck anymore. You can break through this wall and connect with your other relatives. If you’re lucky enough, these relatives may have documents, photos, and other evidence that can help you link the puzzle pieces. Being able to know more about your family will not only give you a peek into their life but also reveal something about your health.
It lets you know your ethnic mix. The results of a DNA test reveal your ethnic background in terms of percentages by regions and subregions. This is what surprises people the most. All the while you may have thought that your ancestors are from the same country you were born in, only to find out that you do have, for instance, a French descendant or a Japanese descendant. It makes you look at your past from a whole new and exciting perspective.
Using DNA testing is more common now since it has become much more affordable than in the previous years. There is just so much more that you can still discover, allowing you to build your family tree and find your ancestors. If you’re interested in DNA testing, check out a review of 23AndMe. This is a great start to your DNA family history adventure.
Disclosure: Guest Post
Photo Credit: My Family DNA