Genetic Genealogy | Ask the Geneticist (SM)


	Question		Date



	My biological mother just recently passed away. And I never knew my biological father. A family rumor was that he was a "white male". But I want to know what test do I need to take to confirm the race or identity if possible? Thanks View Answer		2009-11-14


	I have been researching my geneology and, wondered if a physical trait could be linked to a specific ethnic group. Years ago, I happened to see my grandmother's breasts and the nipples were different than mine or what I've ever seen in books. They were bigger, totally round - slightly smaller than a dime and were the thickness of a nickle. This seems unique to me and I'm having trouble finding her background. Thanks View Answer		2009-09-29


	Is it possible to determine my ethnic background through DNA testing. My father was adopted and refuses to look for his biological parents. I know my mother's genealogy, but my father's remains a mystery. I have always wondered if I am part Native American or part Asian. Is there a way to find out? View Answer		2009-09-03


	Help! I am a genealogist/historian who have been studying my family history for 25+ years. A couple of years ago, I had my mtDNA done by RootsForReal.....I was told that my line is an L3e4...very rare! ....16051.G 16223.T 16264.T 16519.C 73.G 150.T 152.C 263.G 315.1C. Your help is needed. View Answer		2009-05-23


	I have been doing an immense amount of work in ancestry/genealogy. My question may be basic, but I can not seem to track down a clear answer. Does a Paternal grandmother donate any genetic material to her grandson? I have found that my G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather's wife is a Descendent of the Royal Kings of England, and the Original Kings of Kvenland(Finland), but does that matter at all to my gene pool? If half a man's genetic make-up is his father's Y-chromosome, and the other half is the mother's X-chromosome, are the female's genetics utterly lost through the male line? View Answer		2009-05-04


	Is there a test that can tell me if someone is my sister? View Answer		2009-03-24


	Can human generations be effectively dated using chromosomes? Do chromosomes have some marking like rings on a tree that we can add and deduce the age of mankind on the planet? View Answer		2009-01-11


	Good morning, I am in the genetics website researching the various topics. If a person is adopted and would like to know what race(s) they are, is there such a test that will reveal this identity? View Answer		2009-01-08


	I was wondering what will happen if all the nationalities of the world mixed, would it create some genetic disorder or would make the smartest most athletic people. So basically, my question is if a black and white people marry would they child's gene take the best of from both parents? What are advantages of interracial marriage, does it bring smarter children? So is it good to be ethnicically mixed ? Hope you understand what I am trying to ask you. Thanks. View Answer		2008-12-29


	I am a carrier of a small band ancestor gene that has been inherited in certain related families that show up as same identical visble markers at birth.One person who inherited same visible markings and his DNA gene sequence was identified, also passed the same inherited markers to his son,I passed on to one of my children. I am not a member of their family line,but I share the same genetic visible markers which consist of three related family dynesties of the past the same visible markers have decended down to five of present related descendents.My question is, because the male person of a dynesty had his DNA findings posted by a genetic team of remains found, and that his inherited visible markings were identical to mine and on the same location on his person as the others he was related to, can I assume his DNA sequence posted and mine may be the same to make the identical visible markings, and if so how would I be able to have correct DNA tests done to verify such. View Answer		2008-11-07


	Can you offer information about where I might send in a DNA sample, via a Q-tip swab of the inside of the cheek, to determin my origin? If any clinics are available in the Atlanta area, it would be a great help finding one that provides this service. Thanks. View Answer		2008-06-14


	I have been diagnosed with anti-lupus coagulant. From what the hematologist has told been this is common to the Jewish blood line. I have not been able to trace any Jewish ancestor, however I have found some information for Cherokee Indians. Is there a way I can have my blood or DNA tested to prove this information? View Answer		2008-03-17


	I tend to be empiracally minded. When speaking to a "paranormal" and "esoteric knowledge" aficianado recently, he insisted that the humans' genes, as are currently formed, are only 10,000 years oldbefore 10,000 years, they were significantly different; something happened around 10,000 years ago that dramatically altered human DNA into what it now is.My opinion has been that homo sapiens, as we now are, have had the same genome for MUCH longer than a mere 10,000 years.Can you lead me to an article or someplace (email response even), where I might verfiy this if I am correct, and likewise if he is correct? View Answer		2008-02-24


	I previously asked the significance of the DYS 464 e markers. My father is Rlbl or R1b1, (irish?) I was unable to read the info. I am mostly interested in what it means as to origin/geographic area of ethnicity/country. None of the others participating in the DNA project have these markers. View Answer		2008-02-21


	My father participated in a family DNA project. The test determined he has DYS 464 e & f markers, which I understand is somewhat rare. What does it possibly mean, diagnostic wise. Neither my sister nor I are currently childless and are wondering if this is a reason to not have children. View Answer		2008-02-21


	I was 4 months pregnant with my first and only child when i started seeing a new man. My baby is now 2 months old. My new boyfriend and I slept toghether from the time is was 5 monts pregnant till 2 days before my daughter was born. Everyone that sees her says she looks just like him. Even people that dont know us stop and tell us how much my daughter looks like her daddy. Nobody believes us when we tell them he is not her biological father. Is there any way possible while I was pregnant and having sex with him that any of his sperm could have reached her and she may have takin on some of his genes? Or is it just odd that she looks exactly like him, what could have happened there? View Answer		2008-02-17


	This will be a weird question, but I must ask nonetheless. My father was adopted so I don't know his genealogy. I am about to get married to my Jewish girlfriend and it worries her when people comment on how alike we look. Are there any tests we can take to rule out possible relations? And are there any tests I can take to find out if my bloodline is Jewish so we can take the necessary tests for Jewish-only diseases? Thank you. View Answer		2007-12-04


	i am concerned about whether i should order a paternal test for me and the son. please allow me to describe my concern. i and my wife are both medium/ dark brown skinned, dark brwn hair, with dark brown eyes african americans . my wife gave birth to our son, who is now 15 months old. he is very fair skinned, sandy brown hair, with light grey eyes. i have 2 daughters that look like me from previous relationships. View Answer		2007-11-29


	Hello, my grandfather's family were from Newfoundland, Canada, where apparently some genetic research has been done. My lst cousin's two children were born with water on the brain, and his older brother died of the same problem when at age 50. We were told that this only came down through the father's side of the family, which does fit our genelogy. Also, in trying to find a possible Native Indian connection, we did find on the internet, some of the genetic markers. We fit 3 of 4 markers. Double eyelids, small fingers bent inwards, and the small 4 toes on the feet, are much smaller than than the big toe, they would appear to have only one joint, but on a close look, it appears there are two joints, but so close together, it appears as one joint. Also, I have a baseball sized patch on my head where the hair is fizzy, but the rest of the hair is straight. I joined the Newfoundland Genetics site, and they told me that the fizzy patch may have come from a Portugese influence in Nfld., I thought it may have come from an African influence, as the early Newfoundlander's did have slaves of African descent. I know there have been studies on Newfoundland genetics and also either Greenland or Iceland, going with the conditions of these isolated regions, and the imbreeding. View Answer		2007-08-30


	Hi, I'd be REALLY grateful if you could try and help me....A 16-loci Paternity test on my son resulted in a mismatch with 7 exclusions. The mother, who has Turner's Syndrome (perhaps "mosaic"?), insists that I am still the father and that defects in her chromosomes caused the mismatched result. Is this at all possible and why?? Is this currently a subject of ongoing research?? View Answer		2007-07-21


	Is there any way to determine a baby's father without the DNA of said person, but rather his mother instead? Access to the baby and his mother are readily available but the alleged father is reluctant to be tested but his mother would agree to testing. View Answer		2007-07-12


	My mother-in-law is interested if finding out about her paternal lineage. Testing her mitochondrial DNA would only reveal her mother's lineage. And clearly she has no Y chromosome. How can we find her ethnic roots on her father's side? There are no male relatives to test for Y chromosome lineage. View Answer		2007-05-05


	Hello,I recently discovered that I am descended from great-great-great grandparents who were black. I have no readily apparent black features, nor do members of my immediate family. But it appears other branches of the family had, and have, members with distinctly black appearance -- dark skin, dark eyes, tightly curled hair. I am wondering if it is possible to explain the genetic rules which determine how these features are inherited? And does anyone know how many generations along such features might pop up? View Answer		2007-04-16


	Recently I went to a bone marrow drive and was "swabbed" for genetic information. I am adopted and no nothing of my ethnic background, etc. I was told by one of the workers that if I got a copy of the genetic report that I could then find someone to "read" the results which could then tell me some basic information on my ethnicity. For example, it would show if I had mediterranean descent, etc. Is this possible from this type of report and who would I contact to read this information for me. I got a copy of the test results yesterday and there is not much information given but any info. would be interesting information to pass on to my children. View Answer		2007-02-15


	Good afternoon,I have a quite odd question. I am 1/3 black and 2/3 white and my husband is white, european. We are soon having a baby and he has questions about the possible skin color of the child. I read a bit about genetics and learned that each parent passes on 4 genes for skin color to the child, so our child would have 7 white genes and 1 black gene. Is it possible to tell me if the skin color of our child would be "white" or would it be noticeably "ethnic". We are possibly moving to Poland (his home country) but realize that our child may have difficulty there if his/her skin color is noticeably ethnic. Could you give me some sort of approximation, if possible? I greatly appreciate your help. View Answer		2006-10-01


	I teach 8th grade U.S. History - and as part of that, do a family history project. I also teach 8th grade science. We are learning about genetics in Science and this question came up..."can one predict or calculate the probability that an individual has some of the same genetic material as a distant ancestor?" I'll use a personal example - my husband's ninth great grandfather was on the Mayflower. Is it possible and/or likely for my husband to share genetic material with that Mayflower ancestor? My guess is that after so many generations it would be unlikely. Thank you for your time and assistance! from Libby Middle School 8th grade Science and Social Studies. View Answer		2006-09-12


	Is it true that the differences among individuals within and between a species is mainly the result of differences in the DNA sequences that make up genes? View Answer		2006-04-26


	Who determines the race of the child? View Answer		2006-04-12


	Can ethnic origin be determined by genetic testing? I am a caucasian. View Answer		2006-03-04


	I would like to know if you organization analyses DNA of an individual for diseases caused inherited genes. Both of my parents were orphans, and nieces and nephews, as well as grandchildren want to know if they might be susceptible to say, known and unknown family history illinesses such as clinical depression, aplastic anemia, diseases of the spine, manic depression, alcoholism, thyroid disease, etc. Is there any clinic in Atlanta, Georgia where such testing is done? View Answer		2005-12-09


	Where could I find information about genetic background of Belgians? View Answer		2005-10-24

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