Paternal DNA Ancestry Testing

    
Common Male Ancestor Testing (for males only) also known as Y-chromosome testing will provide you with an analysis of 26 genetic markers that are passed from male descendent to male descendent. These markers were selected because they remain identical (or identical with only 1 difference) for 500 generations almost without exception. If your Common Male Ancestor Test and another man's Common Male Ancestor Test are identical then you share a common male ancestor. This test is often used to compare two males with the same or similar surnames to see if they are from the same paternal line. We provide a list of resources with your results that will enable you to find your "genetic cousins", men that share your genetic markers and are therefore related to you.
The test allows males to zero in specifically on the origin of their paternal DNA. We analyze the Y chromosome and compare the results to known DNA population studies. In this way, we can determine the origins of the father's ancestry. From which parts of the globe did your paternal line migrate to and from? This test links your paternal line to a Y-chromosome Haplogroup. It's fast, easy, and provides answers to questions you otherwise might never be able to answer.

Similar to mtDNA markers, several Y-chromosome markers are unique to specific populations (or haplogroup). Approximately 18 major human paternal lineages exist, and many of which are continent specific. Our lab identifies these lineages through the analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) located on the Y-chromosome. Our lab also examines  multiple regions of the Y-chromosome to provide the most information possible about a paternal lineage.
For the Y-chromosome paternal ancestry test, the amount of ancestral information that can be revealed depends on the results established from testing the DNA. An individual that has a very old DNA lineage can usually be identified to a continental region such as Western Europe. Younger lineages can be identified to more specific regions, such as Southwest North America. Very young Y-chromosome lineages could provide even more detailed, population specific information.

Y-chromosome Haplogroups:

• B, E: Found in Sub-Saharan African lineages.
• E, G, H, I, J, and R -Found in lineages from Europe, Middle East, and Western Asia.
• C, D, N, O, Q, and R - Found in the the Asian populations.
• P, Q, and F - Found in Native American lineages.

Y-Chromosome Haplogroup Map



NOTE: Some haplogroups are present in both Europe and Asia, but can often be sub-divided into European or Asian specific lineages.