It is the material that controls inheritance of eye color, hair color, stature, bone density and many other human traits. Our body's cells contain a complete sample of our DNA. The DNA code, or genetic code as it is called, is passed through the sperm and egg to the offspring. DNA testing, as it would relate to this website, is conducted in the areas of tracing ancestry as well as finding and proving relationships.

Women carry only mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This has been passed down, generation by generation, from a female ancestor who lived thousands of years ago to a woman living today. It passes from a mother to a daughter in a direct bloodline. For example, if a mother has four daughters, all daughters will have the same mtDNA as their mother, their maternal grandmother, and her mother, etc.

Obviously, the genetics of a man differ from a woman. Men carry the Y-DNA chromosome which is passed down through generations from a father to his sons. All sons have the same type as their father. Sons also carry the mtDNA of their mother and her female line. They do not carry the mtDNA of their father’s mother. Only their father (and his brothers) would carry the mtDNA of the paternal grandmother.

Tracing one’s ancestry through DNA testing is not a scientific research project. It is an absolute way of proving relationships and ancestry. So, if you meet person with the same last name as yours who shares a very similar ancestry, you can learn if the person is related to you through this type of testing - even though the connection may be several generations back on your family tree.

Testing for genetic genealogy is performed by sending cheek swabs to a specific laboratory for analysis. It is quite simple to do. The testing kits can be ordered from various genetic laboratories found on the internet.
Costs start around $150 (U.S. dollars).

Following are our family’s DNA results connected to Ober-Metzenseifen:
Female: Full-sequence mtDNA haplogroup result is: J1b1a
The eldest female ancestor traced back to is CATHARINA SCHURGER born in Ober-Metzenseifen around 1764.

Male: Y-DNA 67-marker result is: R1a1a
He is of the Moenich / Monich / Munich line, also of Ober-Metzenseifen.

If you can trace back to either name, contact the Webmaster of this site who will put us in touch.