Help, please!

[Chloe1750]

My mother, age 86, and her brother's son, who is in poor health, are the last known survuviors of my mother's paternal line. I am considering DNA testing for them before it is too late. My mother's dad was an only child, and I have run into a brick wall in researching prior to his mother. What would be the most comprensive tests for both of them? I am also interested in my mother's maternal line.

I would appreciate any assistance and advice.

[paitenceofjob]

The most comprehensive test would be the DNA Works, which would include three test. One of the tests is the DNA Print. It let's you know the proportional ethnic makeup. The other two tests are mtdna test and y-line. The mtdna would give you a haplotype of the maternal (mom's, mom's, mom) line and distant cousins who are descended maternally along the same line and have been tested. The y-line would give you a haplotype for paternal side and matches for distant cousins who have been tested by Family Tree DNA. Please, someone, correct me if I'm wrong on any of this, but I believe this is right.

Here's a link with information concerning the DNA Works:

http://www.familytreedna.com/description.html#dnaworks

Click on this link to see the kind of information you would get with this test:

http://www.familytreedna.com/ftLogin.asp?kit=Demo-2&code=F1967

[Chloe1750]

Help, please!

Thanks. I understand that this would be the best test for my male cousin, but what about my mom? Would it not be a waste of money to run this test on her, and would not one of the tests geared to females be just as comprehensive for her and less costly?

Originally posted by paitenceofjob
The most comprehensive test would be the DNA Works, which would include three test. One of the tests is the DNA Print. It let's you know the proportional ethnic makeup. The other two tests are mtdna test and y-line. The mtdna would give you a haplotype of the maternal (mom's, mom's, mom) line and distant cousins who are descended maternally along the same line and have been tested. The y-line would give you a haplotype for paternal side and matches for distant cousins who have been tested by Family Tree DNA. Please, someone, correct me if I'm wrong on any of this, but I believe this is right.

Here's a link with information concerning the DNA Works:

http://www.familytreedna.com/description.html#dnaworks

Click on this link to see the kind of information you would get with this test:

http://www.familytreedna.com/ftLogin...o-2&code=F1967

[dennis]

You are right Chloe, they could not do the Y chromosome test on your mother, as she has no Y chromosome. Another consideration for you and others in a similar situation is the preservation of the DNA of family members for future testing. We all think that as this science progresses, we will be able to obtain much more information about our genetic origins.

Dennis West

[Lucy]

Re: Help, please!

Chole,
If you are interested in your mother's maternal line as well, then yes, you need to have the 12 or 25 mtDNA test done as your mother's brother's son (your cousin) will not have YOUR mother's line mtDNA, but will have his mother's.

I would also suggest getting the DNAPrint done if you can afford it. This may point out some surprises that do not surface when testing the straight male or female line. Both my mother's and father's lines showed Native American which no one was aware of. Since I tested both a paternal and a maternal uncle for the Y chromosome and the mtDNA, this helped me, through process of elimination, narrow done which lines this heritage may have come through.