I May Have Found an Ancestor on My Maternal Line. How Do I Know for Sure?
Our mtDNA test—also known as a maternal lineage test—uses mitochondrial analysis to confirm your relationship to relatives and possible ancestors through the maternal/female line. It can also provide additional information for situations where maternity is in question, but the mother is unavailable for a maternity test. Although maternity itself can’t be determined, we can determine the child’s relationship to a possible maternal relative. The report is posted to your secure online account 9 business days after all samples have been received at the lab.
How a Female Lineage DNA Test Works
Unlike DNA tests for ancestry, which provide an ancient picture of your family and trace your geographical roots back several thousands of years, the mtDNA test provides scientific confirmation of more recent family relationships—for example, if you have identified a possible relative from genealogy research and want to confirm that relationship. This mtDNA comparative analysis tells you whether or not your mtDNA sequences are consistent, or not consistent, with the conclusion that you and the possible relative(s) may be related through a common female ancestor.
mtDNA is maternally inherited: Both men and women have mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA); however, only women can pass their mtDNA on to their children. In a mitochondrial DNA comparison test, individuals’ mtDNA sequences are compared to see if they share certain regions of the DNA that indicate they come from the same maternal line.
Is an mtDNA test the right choice for you? Contact one of our experts—we’re ready to answer your questions and help you select the right test.
Reasons to get an mtDNA Test.
​
-
To confirm a biological relationship with a possible relative on your maternal line
-
To obtain additional information for questions of maternity, when a possible mother is not available for testing
-
Medical history
-
Results are completely confidential, and your private genetic information is never shared with or sold to outside parties.
​
For more information call 888.995.4DNA