There are three types of tests used in genealogical research:

• - Autosomal DNA

• - Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

• - Y-Chromosome DNA (Y-DNA)

 

Autosomal DNA testing gives results that come from BOTH parents. These are the 22 pairs
of non-sex chromosomes. Family Tree DNA and Ancestry DNA offer autosomal testing.
Autosomal results give us six to seven generations of our DNA past. Autosomal DNA is used
to determine the geographical location of our ancestors. Click on the link below to see a more
in depth discussion:
              FTDNA Autosomal

Mitochondrial DNA is passed to both men and women through their mother. Mitochondrial
DNA testing can trace your mother – grandmother – g grandmother… line back to the first
woman. Click on the link below to see a more in depth discussion: FTDNA Mitochondrial

Y-Chromosome DNA is passed to men only through their father. Y-Chromosome DNA testing
can trace your father – grandfather – g grandfather… line back to the first man. Y-
Chromosome DNA is the method used by genealogists to do surname research. Click on the
link below to see a more in depth discussion: FTDNA Y-Chromosome