welcome to the ancestral findings podcast have you considered doing an autosomal DNA
test to add to and improve the accuracy of your family tree have you even heard of an
autosomal DNA it is the most common type of publicly available DNA tests nowadays and
is quite affordable here is what you need to know about this valuable genealogical DNA test
are you familiar with autosomal DNA if you're not you should be it is one of the most important and
common ways of using DNA to add to your family tree and to improve its accuracy now it's the
time to learn about autosomal DNA and what it can do for you in your genealogical research while
why DNA traces only ancestors on the male line of your family and mtDNA traces only ancestors
on the female line autosomal DNA traces both sides equally there are parts of our DNA that
researchers have not yet discovered a purpose for and this DNA was commonly referred to as
junk DNA in the past however genealogy experts soon discovered that this so-called junk DNA
could be used to reveal family relationships for both men and women this was an improvement
on the Y DNA test that only men could use and the MT DNA test that traced females who usually
change their last names upon marriage anyone in your family can take an autosomal DNA test
it will also show you people who are related to you on both sides of your family most DNA
testing companies today do only autosomal DNA testing as it is the most useful type of testing
for the most number of potential customers a few companies still do Y DNA and M DNA tests
for those who need those tests particularly but autosomal DNA testing is still the most
commonly used test it is also highly affordable because it is used so much by so many customers
when you take an autosomal DNA test the testing company will show you matches to other people
in their database who have also taken the test these matches may be on your father or mother's
side of your family in most cases you will have to contact the ones who have agreed to
allow contact from their matches and discuss your family trees to determine which side they
follow sometimes it will be obvious because of a particular surname or because you see they are
also matched with someone you already know if you can get one or both of your parents grandparents
or anyone who is a sample from both sides of your family you will get much more accurate
results and some sites like 23andme will actually be able to tell you which side of the family that
person matches on the more of your relatives who test the more accurate your results will
be for your matches when you meet your matches online you have a very good chance of learning
new family tree information you previously did not know you might even find someone who has a
family Bible or old family photographs and who is willing to share them with you basically when
you have your autosomal DNA tested you are able to find out much more about your entire family
than with any other type of DNA test it is worth it for any genealogist to have this test done
thanks for joining me today I'll see you next time on the ancestral findings
podcast and for further info you can visit us at ancestral findings com