The Founder Populations Project by MyHeritage stands as a remarkable endeavor, meticulously crafted to enhance the accuracy of ethnicity estimates. Individuals are chosen based on their consistent heritage from specific regions or ethnicities across multiple generations. The project is the largest of its kind, involving over 5,000 carefully chosen participants hand-picked from MyHeritage’s extensive user base, ensuring a diverse representation from all around the world.[1]
Understanding Founder Populations
Founder Populations comprise individuals whose ancestors are assumed to resided in the same region for generations. Their DNA carries the distinct imprints common to individuals of that specific geographic area, in what is called founder effect.
Creating Regional Profiles
By analyzing the DNA of project participants, MyHeritage established unique profiles for each region. These profiles reflect the distinctive DNA sequences characteristic of the area.
How Ethnicity Estimates work
When the user submits their DNA sample to MyHeritage, it is compared against references. The analysis identifies their ethnicity breakdown among these 42 ethnicities, expressed as percentages.
In summary, the Founder Populations Project is a beacon illuminating our shared human journey—a testament to the power of genetics and the quest to understand our roots and a vital part of a more general Reference Population
See also
Explore more about the MyHeritage Founder Populations Project
- What Is My Ethnicity? How MyHeritage Estimates Ethnicities on the MyHeritage blog