DNA ancestry just a click away
VANCOUVER (CUP) -- A new website allows people to track their genetic heritage as far back as 150,000 years ago.
DNAancestryproject.com was put up last November by Genebase Systems and is sponsored by Genetrack Biolabs, Inc. It lets users order “participation kits” that give them easy access to DNA testing and an extensive online database of other people's genetic information.
A cheek swab is included in the kit as a means to get a personal DNA sample from the user, which is then sent to Genetrack. The user is then sent their DNA results, which they can share with other members of the site or keep to themselves.
“One could question whether the extent and quality of the information that Genetrack can provide will be any better tool for genealogists than the traditional methods of searching public or private registries,” said George Mackie, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of British Columbia.
The Vancouver Public Library offers numerous programs and materials that utilize a more traditional approach.
According to Janet Tomkins, a genealogy librarian, the library has “an extensive collection of resources including how-to manuals, books on genealogy software, and data such as cemetery transcriptions, census records and a subscription database called Ancestry Library Edition, offering access to digitized images of original records from many countries,” in addition to monthly workshops.
“Both approaches are worthwhile and interesting,” she said, although “to find out who [the ancestors] are . . . requires digging through documentary records and interviewing family members, working backwards, building up the picture, one generation at a time.”
Tomkins explained that “serious genealogists corroborate and document all the information in their family tree to build up an authentic picture,” however, “after identifying possible relations through traditional research, DNA testing could be used to confirm the connection.”
David W. Brown, a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists, has found that combining the traditional approach with DNA testing is an effective strategy.
“[DNA testing] has provided many exciting breakthroughs for those trying to establish their family history,” but, “you have to use traditional research together with it,” he said.
DNA testing is a huge leap ahead, said Brown, and is extremely helpful when paired with “relative genetics and family trees which offer tremendous databases.” He explained that as the companies expand their own databases, users will have access to more insightful results. “All of this [testing] is based on comparisons to other results and there is nothing to it unless people can make comparisons,” Brown said.
“We've used DNA testing a lot,” Brown said, “and it is revolutionary. It helps to break through brick walls.”
The DNA Ancestry Project site has been experiencing a lot of success even though it has only been up and running for a few months. Over a quarter-million participants have joined from all over the world.
DNAancestryproject.com was put up last November by Genebase Systems and is sponsored by Genetrack Biolabs, Inc. It lets users order “participation kits” that give them easy access to DNA testing and an extensive online database of other people's genetic information.
A cheek swab is included in the kit as a means to get a personal DNA sample from the user, which is then sent to Genetrack. The user is then sent their DNA results, which they can share with other members of the site or keep to themselves.
“One could question whether the extent and quality of the information that Genetrack can provide will be any better tool for genealogists than the traditional methods of searching public or private registries,” said George Mackie, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of British Columbia.
The Vancouver Public Library offers numerous programs and materials that utilize a more traditional approach.
According to Janet Tomkins, a genealogy librarian, the library has “an extensive collection of resources including how-to manuals, books on genealogy software, and data such as cemetery transcriptions, census records and a subscription database called Ancestry Library Edition, offering access to digitized images of original records from many countries,” in addition to monthly workshops.
“Both approaches are worthwhile and interesting,” she said, although “to find out who [the ancestors] are . . . requires digging through documentary records and interviewing family members, working backwards, building up the picture, one generation at a time.”
Tomkins explained that “serious genealogists corroborate and document all the information in their family tree to build up an authentic picture,” however, “after identifying possible relations through traditional research, DNA testing could be used to confirm the connection.”
David W. Brown, a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists, has found that combining the traditional approach with DNA testing is an effective strategy.
“[DNA testing] has provided many exciting breakthroughs for those trying to establish their family history,” but, “you have to use traditional research together with it,” he said.
DNA testing is a huge leap ahead, said Brown, and is extremely helpful when paired with “relative genetics and family trees which offer tremendous databases.” He explained that as the companies expand their own databases, users will have access to more insightful results. “All of this [testing] is based on comparisons to other results and there is nothing to it unless people can make comparisons,” Brown said.
“We've used DNA testing a lot,” Brown said, “and it is revolutionary. It helps to break through brick walls.”
The DNA Ancestry Project site has been experiencing a lot of success even though it has only been up and running for a few months. Over a quarter-million participants have joined from all over the world.
