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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2005-12 > 1135620922


From: "Roberta J. Estes" <>
Subject: RE: [DNA] What DNA testing can and cannot tell you
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 13:15:22 -0500
In-Reply-To: <002401c60a41$3dcaf120$8f35f304@mycomputer>


Eric,

I think this is a bit skewed. Many many people have indeed make huge
breakthroughs thanks to DNA testing for genealogy that could never have been
made otherwise. Those who haven't need but to wait, or recruit those with
similar surnames. I think to color consumers who don't have matches as
victims is grossly unfair. Because his DNA is likely rare at some marker,
when he does get a match, it will likely be a real match. One of my lines
matches everyone it seems and that is infinitely more frustrating that my
rare ones who simply sit out there and wait.

One other point to keep in mind. As a genealogist for approaching 3 decades
now, I have spent far far more on many completely unfruitful searches using
traditional genealogy methods. I have purchased many books and order reams
of microfilm and taken many trips to courthouses that produced nothing, and
never will. At least these dollars, between $100 and $200 most likely, has
the potential to return an investment in the future, for far less than my
unfruitful trips.

Roberta Estes



-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Olson [mailto:]
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 12:25 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [DNA] What DNA testing can and cannot tell you

James,

Welcome to our world - of frustration at finding no matches. But look at
the larger picture. You are a "victim" of a brilliant plan to generate DNA
linked genealogical and geographical data, funded by a public led to believe

that paying for these tests would lead them to discovering ancestors, but
was really to provide a rich vein of data for scientists interested in
population genetics to mine. And of course those seeking to confirm their
family trees already known. Genealogy is currently America's most popular
hobby, and so a potentially large market for DNA testing already existed,
ripe for harvesting, for this "best thing to happen to genealogy since the
family tree". Was this pure hype? Probably not, because at some day in the

remote future you or your descendants may discover your surnamed ancestors
in the databases. Be content that you have been able to contribute to
science with your dollars and data, and let it go at that. But stay
tuned...

Eric

----- Original Message -----
From: "James A. Honeychuck" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 5:17 AM
Subject: [DNA] What DNA testing can and cannot tell you


> Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays.
>
> It is dawning on me that my frustration at finding no matches, no
> relatives, and no definite origins through Y-DNA testing is probably due
> to my initial lack of understanding about the purpose of the tests. I
> think I now understand correctly that Y-STR and Y-SNP testing are
> basically to determine deep ancestry and relatedness among living people;
> that is, information about way back when and about very recent times. And

> if I understand Thomas Krahn correctly, autosomal testing is basically for

> whatever you think it might mean, with no claim that it will reveal
> origins of any age.
>
> So as for determining where your Y-line ancestors were a thousand years
> ago, no form of testing can do that, right?
>
> Jim
> Y-DNA J1
>
>
> ==============================
> View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find
> marriage announcements and more. Learn more:
> http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx
>
>



==============================
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at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more:
http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&ta
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