Genealogical DNA research

Besides writing a book about numerological patterns and the recognition and relevance thereof, I’m also interested in genealogical DNA research. We observe patterns in any kind of areas and important clues can be deduced from these data.

I decided to start with my genealogical DNA research in July 2007. Therefore I had my mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyzed at Family Tree DNA.

Mitochondria are present in all human cells, contain their own DNA, and are passed on only through females to their offspring (male and female). The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has distinct properties, therefore making it a great tool for genealogical and anthropological study. Mutations within this DNA are studied and compared against the mtDNA of others. The results are catalogued and organized so that an ancient migration pattern can be constructed.

Different mutation patterns are assigned to various genetic population groups (haplogroups). The haplogroup identifies your deep ancestral ethnic and geographical origins on your maternal line and can help determine whether you share a common ancestor within this migration pattern. But the haplogroups don’t tell you whether you are more closely or more distantly related. If you want to find this out, you have to employ other conventional genealogical techniques.

I found out that I belong to the haplogroup X. This group is actually quite interesting because of its migration pattern. I read that the haplogroup X is an archaic gene and has not been found in most of the African continent. I believe the scientists ponder about why this archaic gene is still found in modern humans. The overall haplogroup X accounts for about 2% of the population of Europe, the Near East and North Africa. In addition, the haplogroup X is also one of the five haplogroups found in the indigenous peoples of the Americas and accounts for about 3% for the total current indigenous population of the Americas.

When your mtDNA is analyzed by Family Tree DNA, you will be informed of mtDNA matches, but only, if you signed a release form. Afterwards you can contact people in their database and vice versa.

This entry was posted on October 16, 2007 at 4:26 pm and is filed under Saxony-Anhalt, Ancestors, St. Pankratius, Travel, Numerical patterns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.