Y-DNA test

The Y-DNA test is a type of DNA test available to genealogists in addition to autosomal and mitochondrial DNA tests.

Y-DNA tests provide information from the direct male line but only males can take the test.

MyHeritage provides autosomal DNA testing to customers.

FamilyTreeDNA provides Y-DNA testing that includes both STR and SNP markers, matching to other testers in addition to providing a very granular haplogroup with their Big Y-700 test. Individual markers are compared for matching between men. Men from the same paternal line will always be members of the same genetic clan, or haplogroup lineage, but their common ancestor with introductory-level, or haplogroups derived from autosomal tests may reach far back in time. Matching using STR and SNP markers from FamilyTreeDNA’s Big-Y test will produce more recent results.

The Y-DNA Chromosome

Y-DNA testing is beneficial for genealogy because the Y chromosome is passed from men to their sons, intact, in every generation, without mixing with the DNA of the mother.

The Y chromosome is what makes males male. Men inherit an X chromosome from their mother, and a Y chromosome from their father. Females inherit two X chromosomes, one from each parent. Females have no Y chromosome to test.

Y-DNA is a powerful genealogy tool, providing men with matching for their specific patrilineal line, along with identifying the geographical source of their direct paternal ancestor.

Only FamilyTreeDNA tests the Y chromosome specifically for genealogy and includes several important tools.

• Matching with other Y-DNA testers for both STR and SNP markers
• Earliest known ancestors for your matches
• Trees of your matches
• Haplogroup determination and assignment
• Globetrekker Migration journey for your haplogroup including land masses, sea levels, climate and glaciers – 100 to 50,000 paths available, depending on your Y-DNA testing level
• Discover haplogroup reports with many included tools, including a Time Tree and Ancient DNA
• Ancestral origins – where your matches’ ancestors are found around the world
• Haplogroup origins – where the haplogroups of your matches are found around the world, in addition to the free public Y-DNA haplotree
• Time Tree detailing when and where your haplogroup was “born,” combined with ancient and notable matches
• Group projects that you can join
• Group Time Trees available to group project members show when you and other Big-Y test-takers have a common ancestor as calculated by haplogroup mutation rates
• Ancient Y-DNA connections
• Notable Y-DNA connections
• The powerful Discover tool

The Power of Y-DNA

Y-DNA in most western cultures follows the surname path from father to son. Therefore, the history of the Y chromosome is also the history of the paternal surname, both before and after surnames were adopted.

This correlation provides important laser-focused genealogical information for that specific line – and only that line. It also provides deep historical information, prior to the advent of surnames, tracking your paternal ancestors back through history.

Y-DNA matching can be obtained via two complementary types of testing:

• STR markers purchased in either a 67 or 111 marker panel, for introductory-level matching and estimated haplogroups. This test is useful to see if you match other men with the same surname and ancestors.
• The Big Y-700 test which includes at least 700 STR markers plus the highly granular and specific SNP markers that define family-level haplogroups.

The 67 and 111 marker tests target-test specific markers and are considered entry-level, while the Big Y-700 is a test of discovery that scans the entire Y chromosome, reporting on more than 50 million locations in addition to providing more than 700 STR markers.

The Big Y-700, the most refined and advanced Y-DNA test available, is an exploration test that searches for lineage specific mutations that permit new haplogroups to be defined. Many testers receive family-level haplogroup assignments, allowing lineages to be scientifically sorted by ancestor, even in recent generations.

Of course, Y-DNA also reaches back in time to Y-Adam, born about 232,000 years ago.

Haplogroups Are Genetic Clans

Y-DNA haplogroups are genetic clans. Different haplogroups are found in different parts of the world and in different populations. For example, haplogroups for European, Asian, African, Native American and Jewish populations have evolved uniquely over time.

Today, we can identify broad groups through high level haplogroup identification, including STR haplogroup estimates and high level haplogroup assignments targeted through autosomal testing. Very specific “end-of-branch” family-level haplogroups can be obtained through the Big Y-700 test.

Matching to other testers occurs with either the STR (67 or 111 marker) tests, or the Big Y-700 which facilitates both types of matching.

Matches

As with autosomal DNA, Y-DNA matches are critical. Men match others who share both STR and SNP markers. Exact 67-111 matches with no mutations are generally close in time. Matching on a common haplogroup with men who have taken the Big Y DNA provides a reliable time to a common ancestor. Men who have received base-level haplogroups through autosomal tests, or lower level Y-DNA tests will receive much more granular haplogroups with the Big Y-700 test.

Autosomal DNA matching along with Y-DNA results compliment each other well to identify paternal ancestors and lineages.

While females don’t have a Y chromosome to test, they can participate by recruiting and testing Y lineages within their tree, often beginning with their father or brother. When ordering a Y-DNA test, be sure to order or upload autosomal tests for each tester too.

Y-DNA tests are another tool in the genealogist’s toolbox.

Explore more about ethnicity estimates

• MyHeritage DNA at MyHeritage
• Ethnicities around the world at MyHeritage
• What Is My Ethnicity? How MyHeritage Estimates Ethnicities at MyHeritage Knowledge Base
• Where's My Ethnicity?!: Why An Ethnicity Might Not Show Up In Your DNA (and How To Find Evidence Of It Anyway) at MyHeritage Knowledge Base
• Foundations in DNA 3 of 5: Y-DNA at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
• My 20 Year Mystery – Finding family origins with Y-DNA at Legacy Family Tree Webinars

See also

• DNA
• DNA test
• How to understand DNA matches
• How to find birth family members using DNA
• Autosomal DNA
• DNA matches
• Genetic genealogy
• Chromosome
• Half relationships and full relationships
• Shared DNA Matches
• The Shared DNA Matches Tool

References

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