Ó Dochartaigh DNA Project

Compare your DNA with thousands of other samples to identify possible relations. Purchase a DNA test kit, submit a sample (a swab of cells from inside your mouth) then check the database for results. This test measures minor mutations over time.

DNA Genealogy Database Services

• FamilyTree DNA www.familytreedna.com
  Info: www.familytreedna.com/dna101.html
  
• Y Search www.ysearch.org
  – a public database provided by Family Tree DNA to facilitate comparison of results from other DNA services
  
• Relative Genetics http://www.relativegenetics.com/
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• DNA Heritage http://www.dnaheritage.com/
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• Oxford Ancestors http://www.oxfordancestors.com/
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• Genographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic
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• Ancestry DNA www.ancestry.ca and www.ancestry.com

Glossary – basic DNA terminology

•  DNA – deoxyriboneucleic acid…The material inside the nucleus of cells that carries genetic information. Y-DNA determines whether a child will be male or female. It passes from father to son almost unaltered for long periods of time.
• Chromosome – bundles of tightly coiled DNA
• Gene – the physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring
• Genome/Genotype – all the genes or genetic information for an individual
• Locus (plural: loci) – a specific location on the genome
• Allelle – one of the different forms of a gene that can exist at a single locus
• Haplotype – linked loci that are inherited as a single unit
• Haplogroup – branches in the human genetic tree
• TMRCA – Time to the Most Recent Common Ancestor, expressed in generations 
• Mutation – minor changes in the gene structure that occur between generations. The degree of mutation is used to estimate the number of generations.                                                  
  

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