Earlier this year I ordered a Mitochondrial DNA test for myself at FamilyTreeDNA. To celebrate DNA Day, I am excited to share my results. I am not too surprised by my results. I am haplogroup H.
According to Wikipedia, Haplogroup H is the most common mtDNA group in Europe, with almost 40% of the gene pool. Haplogroup H originated in the Near and Middle East approximately 30,000 years ago. The Haplogroup then moved into Europe about 25,000 years ago during the ice age. So my female direct line ancestors are white Europeans.
The more exciting news is that I also had my autosomal DNA tested. This test looks across all of my chromosomes and can be used to identify genetic cousins. My test results include a list of almost 400 people in the FamilyTreeDNA database that share some of the same DNA. My next step is to start contacting these matches and try to find a common ancestor. So many possibilities to learn more about my family!
I am also joining the DNA special interest group (DIG) at my local genealogy society, Marin County Genealogical Society. This is a group that meets monthly to share and learn about DNA. I have just scratched the surface of the DNA world and am excited to learn more!
I just ordered an autosomal DNA kit from Ancestry. I’m really excited about it! I’m also getting my parents to do Y-DNA and mtDNA tests. It’ll be great to learn more about DNA for genealogy, and the CIG will certainly help.