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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2002-04 > 1017683902


From: "George W. Page" <>
Subject: Re: [DNA] Re: Ethnic Origins?
Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 12:58:31 -0500
In-Reply-To: <006801c1d9a1$bef3df20$83f577cc@wnonline.net>


Those are NOT dumb questions, and they are germane to most people who are
contemplating family group tests from one of several labs to choose from.
I have been trying to get answers to them for several days now, but guess
I'm not as good as you are asking them.

The Butler slide show reference that I posted has the several different
Y-Chromosome markers that have been used (the most common) plus most of the
new ones.
Patrick Guinness posted the groups with their three letter identifiers.
Most of the literature and databases seem to use MS1: DYS19, DYS388,
DYS390, DYS391, DYS392 and DYS393, plus DYS389i and DYS389ii., with or
without DYS385i/ii.
e.g. , <http://ystr.charite.de/index_gr.html>;

With the exception of DYS385, these are also used by Oxford Ancestors, so
it seems to me that if one chooses a lab that uses different markers (e.g.,
CTS: DYS434, DYS435, DYS436, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS439), a conversion will
have to be made to compare the labs results to the literature and databases.
No one has yet addressed IF such a conversion can be made, or how such a
conversion can be made with or without lab tests.

As an aside Raquel, even if you found your uncle's Y-chromosome markers in
some western African countries you would also probably find them in Europe
and the Middle East (and perhaps Asia). The point being there is no way yet
presented to my satisfaction to prove specific origin of an ancestor using
DNA alone without getting into statistical probabilities.
It is best used to prove (or disprove) whether or not two tested people
share a common ancestor somewhere back in time.
The origins of ones (western) African ancestors, would be better helped by
studying cultural and artistic artifacts (tribal colors and designs, beads,
clothing), language, art and music, and even teeth. Yes teeth, because that
have found the teeth of some of the remains found in the Old Negro Burying
Ground in NYC were filed in a particular way consistent with tribal custom
in western Africa.

GWP



At 11:21 AM 4/1/2002 -0600, you wrote:
>Thank-you for all your posts! My uncle is getting up there in age and to
>tell you the truth, I am afraid he might go soon! If I were to get him
>tested through FamilyTreeDNA, which test should I get (the 12 or the 21
>marker)? Will I be able to then use these results to compare against
>databases and resources as they become available (as well as any published
>papers that may have results for genetic markers from the different areas of
>Africa?)...Will the results of the test have to be converted? I ask that
>because I noticed at one of the American DNA testing websites they had
>something called an Oxford conversion test...I guess this means that someone
>who had the test done by Oxford Ancestors had to have it redone? Or just
>the test reread? Sorry for all the dumb questions. I am enjoying the posts
>on this list and hope to learn more about the various ongoing projects.
>This is just fascinating stuff!
>
>Raquel
>
>
>==============================
>To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records,
>go to:
>http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

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