Getting Started in DNA Testing for Genealogy - My Series on Geni.com

For the last month, I have been writing a weekly series on the basics of DNA testing for genealogy for Geni. Just in case you missed it, the articles cover the three types of tests and their applications. The series might be too basic for some of you, but for those of you just starting out, it may be exactly what you need.

Part One, Intro and Y-DNA
Interest in DNA testing for genealogy has reached an all-time high thanks to its increasing sophistication and the resulting visibility in the media. We hear about what we can learn from DNA testing from popular genealogy television programs, news stories and in advertising.  As a result, many family history enthusiasts have expressed their desire to venture into the fascinating world of genetic genealogy, but don’t know where to start.  If you are one of these people, then I am writing this for you. In a series of four posts over the next month, I will explain the three different types of DNA testing currently used by genealogists to discover more about their family trees. I will endeavor to help you determine which test or combination of tests would be best suited to your interests.
Read the rest of the article here.

Part Two, mtDNA
Last week we discussed the Y-DNA test that only traces your direct paternal line back in time, but there’s good news for you women who felt left out. Did you know that there is also a DNA test that traces your direct maternal line back in time?  It is called a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) test.
Read the rest of the article here.

Part Three, autosomal DNA (23andMe, Family Finder, AncestryDNA)
This week we are finally going to discuss my favorite type of genetic testing for genealogy – autosomal DNA. For the past two weeks we have covered DNA tests that are solely informative of one ancestral line – direct paternal (Y-DNA) and direct maternal (mtDNA). The great news about autosomal DNA (atDNA) testing is that there is potential to find valuable and meaningful information about any of your ancestral lines.  
Read the rest of the article here.

Part Four, ancestral origin tests and summary
We have covered the three types of DNA tests for genealogy over the last few weeks, but there is one more aspect of genetic genealogy that should not be overlooked. In fact, one of the questions that I am asked most frequently is: How can I get a percentage breakdown of my ethnicity? With popular television programs recently highlighting this compelling area of genetic genealogy, it is no surprise that interest in DNA testing has grown.
Read the rest of the article here.

If you want to get started now, 23andMe is offering $50 off of their fantastic autosomal DNA tests until Sunday, August 13th at Midnight! Order here using discount code VMQ6KG.