Drum roll please…my new book, DNA for Native American Genealogy, was just released today, published by Genealogical.com.
I’m so excited! I expected publication around the holidays. What a pleasant surprise.
This 190-page book has been a labor of love, almost a year in the making. There’s a lot.
- Vendor Tools – The book incorporates information about how to make the best use of the autosomal DNA tools offered by all 4 of the major testing vendors; FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage, Ancestry, and 23andMe.
- Chromosome Painting – I’ve detailed how to use DNAPainter to identify which ancestor(s) your Native heritage descends from by painting your population/ethnicity segments provided by FamilyTreeDNA and 23andMe.
- Y and Mitochondrial DNA – I’ve described how and when to utilize the important Y and mitochondrial DNA tests, for you and other family members.
- Maps – Everyone wants to know about ancient DNA. I’ve included ancient DNA information complete with maps of ancient DNA sites by major Native haplogroups, gathered from many academic papers, as well as mapped contemporary DNA locations.
- Haplogroups – Locations in the Americas, by haplogroup, where individual haplogroups and subgroups are found. Some haplogroups are regional in nature. If you happen to have one of these haplogroups, that’s a BIG HINT about where your ancestor lived.
- Tribes – Want to know, by tribe, which haplogroups have been identified? Got you covered there too.
- Checklist – I’ve provided a checklist type of roadmap for you to follow, along with an extensive glossary.
- Questions – I’ve answered lots of frequently asked questions. For example – what about joining a tribe? I’ve explained how tribes work in the US and Canada, complete with links for relevant forms and further information.
But wait, there’s more…
New Revelations!!!
There is scientific evidence suggesting that two haplogroups not previously identified as Native are actually found in very low frequencies in the Native population. Not only do I describe these haplogroups, but I provide their locations on a map.
I hope other people will test and come forward with similar results in these same haplogroups to further solidify this finding.
It’s important to understand the criteria required for including these haplogroups as (potentially) Native. In general, they:
- Must be found multiple times outside of a family group
- Must be unexplained by any other scenario
- Must be well-documented both genetically as well as using traditional genealogical records
- Must be otherwise absent in the surrounding populations
This part of the research for the book was absolutely fascinating to me.
Description
Here’s the book description at Genealogical.com:
DNA for Native American Genealogy is the first book to offer detailed information and advice specifically aimed at family historians interested in fleshing out their Native American family tree through DNA testing.
Figuring out how to incorporate DNA testing into your Native American genealogy research can be difficult and daunting. What types of DNA tests are available, and which vendors offer them? What other tools are available? How is Native American DNA determined or recognized in your DNA? What information about your Native American ancestors can DNA testing uncover? This book addresses those questions and much more.
Included are step-by-step instructions, with illustrations, on how to use DNA testing at the four major DNA testing companies to further your genealogy and confirm or identify your Native American ancestors. Among the many other topics covered are the following:
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- Tribes in the United States and First Nations in Canada
- Ethnicity
- Chromosome painting
- Population Genetics and how ethnicity is assigned
- Genetic groups and communities
- Y DNA paternal direct line male testing for you and your family members
- Mitochondrial DNA maternal direct line testing for you and your family members
- Autosomal DNA matching and ethnicity comparisons
- Creating a DNA pedigree chart
- Native American haplogroups, by region and tribe
- Ancient and contemporary Native American DNA
Special features include numerous charts and maps; a roadmap and checklist giving you clear instructions on how to proceed; and a glossary to help you decipher the technical language associated with DNA testing.
Purchase the Book and Participate
I’ve included answers to questions that I’ve received repeatedly for many years about Native American heritage and DNA. Why Native DNA might show in your DNA, why it might not – along with alternate ways to seek that information.
You can order DNA for Native American Genealogy, here.
For customers in Canada and outside the US, you can use the Amazon link, here, to reduce the high shipping/customs costs.
I hope you’ll use the information in the book to determine the appropriate tests for your situation and fully utilize the tools available to genealogists today to either confirm those family rumors, put them to rest – or maybe discover a previously unknown Native ancestor.
Please feel free to share this article with anyone who might be interested.
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Disclosure
I receive a small contribution when you click on some of the links to vendors in my articles. This does NOT increase the price you pay but helps me to keep the lights on and this informational blog free for everyone. Please click on the links in the articles or to the vendors below if you are purchasing products or DNA testing.
Thank you so much.
DNA Purchases and Free Uploads
- FamilyTreeDNA – Y, mitochondrial and autosomal DNA testing
- MyHeritage DNA – Autosomal DNA test
- MyHeritage FREE DNA file upload – Upload your DNA file from other vendors free
- AncestryDNA – Autosomal DNA test
- 23andMe Ancestry – Autosomal DNA only, no Health
- 23andMe Ancestry Plus Health
Genealogy Products and Services
- MyHeritage FREE Tree Builder – Genealogy software for your computer
- MyHeritage Subscription with Free Trial
- Legacy Family Tree Webinars – Genealogy and DNA classes, subscription-based, some free
- Legacy Family Tree Software – Genealogy software for your computer
- Charting Companion – Charts and Reports to use with your genealogy software or FamilySearch
- RootsMagic Software – Genealogy software for your computer
- Newspapers.com – Search newspapers for your ancestors
- NewspaperArchive – Search different newspapers for your ancestors
My Book
- DNA For Native American Genealogy – by Roberta Estes
Genealogy Books
- Genealogical.com – Lots of wonderful genealogy research books
Genealogy Research
- Legacy Tree Genealogists – Professional genealogy research