Genetic DNA testing is not magic. It cannot tell you how well your grandma made biscuits or if she had a hankering for cigars. It can, however, take the guesswork out of determining if your genetic origin is from Germany or Sweden, for example. Many times I use it in my work to help guide the genealogy research based on genetic facts.

Knowing your Haplogroup can connect or disconnect you to a genetic pool that can be traced through time as your genetic DNA migration ensued. The Haplogroup of an individual is definitive and hard to argue with when DNA testing is done properly.

The most important thing is to get good direction from the beginning by hiring a genealogist and DNA specialist like you can find at https://www.researchdnawriters.com/order-dna-kits-and-analysis.html.

Do you want to know your father's, father's origin (Y-DNA) or just find cousins (autosomal DNA)? You may want to trace the origin of your mother through your male or female line, which can be done through MTDNA testing. FamilyTreeDNA.com

YDNA37 (37 marker test regular price $169) is the lowest # of markers that I recommend testing. A 12 marker DNA test (Family Tree DNA has even taken this test off their website, but you can still call for it.) and 25 markers don't give you enough information in my opinion. This where I start for YDNA testing. 67 markers and above will assist with matches in a closer period of time and may be suggested after the 37 marker test results come in.

There is a study that is currently offering free Autosomal DNA testing, including a variety of SNP testing that you may want to check into by logging on to Genesforgood

Once the initial DNA is examined whether it be Family Finder, Y-DNA or MTDNA more testing may be required to fine tune origin or the timeframe in which a test subject's DNA is found. You may be asked to do an SNP test ($39 regular price) to "hone in" on the timeframe and the path of your DNA. Be prepared to do additional testing once the initial analysis has been completed and clues have been connected to figure out the best direction to take for your particular situation.

I want to share a case study that is one of my personal cases to illustrate the path that the study of DNA results can take.

Case Study #1 (names were changed to protect their privacy).

The "Campbell" family wanted to prove whether or not they were from a certain part of Scotland. DNA testing was performed on the test subject that carried the surname in question.

When the results were completed, the family got a surprise in that the Y-DNA did not match the others that carried the same surname. Genealogy research revealed a Canadian connection where other distant family members had already completed Y-DNA testing. This helped us establish the true Y-DNA for this family.

The test results include a Family Finder test that would also not show a match to the "Campbell" family, but did confirm the maternal connection based on matches to the subject's mother's family.

Additional family members were located and tested to compare autosomal DNA (Family Finder test). Another male that carried the same surname was also tested to verify that there was not any lab error.

SNP's are used to, "hone in" on the time and place that Y-DNA is found on the Haplotree. In this family, we were able to do a U106 SNP test that revealed an Ancient origin. Then an additional L48 SNP was done because the "Campbell" DNA administrator suggested that we see if my client was also L48, since some of his matches were positive for L48. (He had no 37 marker match).

This case is still in progress and new test subjects are being found to determine EXACTLY where the break was in this family's "Campbell" DNA. It has been three years since we began.

Be patient and discuss all the possibilities before you spend your hard earned money. The DNA project administrator's help is priceless, so learn all you can! Author: Sheri McNeil Savory is a DNA Specialist and Co-Owner with Tina Sansone of ResearchDNAWriters.com.