Comments on: Can DNA testing by ancestry connect a person to a specific Native American tribe?

By: Coolrogue

Coolrogue — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:31:54 +0000

This is a definate NO…. The only thing DNA testing can tell you is that you have certain markers in common with another group that the testers have on file. There is no way they can narrow it down that far. And they sometimes can’t tell you anything at all. If you are male and your Native ancestor was female it wouldn’t show up in your test, and vice versa if your female and your Native ancestor was male you wouldn’t show it. The markers are only passed along gender lines. Although a female passes the markers to all her children male and female, only her female children will pass the markers to their children the male children don’t.

The only sure fire way to connect with Native American ancestry is to do the genealogy and hope your people were not among those who "hid" in plain sight. If you are trying to gain recognition and to become a member of a Native American Nation or Tribe the ONLY thing they will accept if a proven direct lineage to a person on one of the Native Rolls. ie: The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma only accepts direct lineage to someone on the Dawes Roll, the Eastern Band of Cherokee only accept someone with direct lineage to someone on the Baker Roll. And all the other Nations or Tribes are along the same lines, you would have to contact the specific tribe to find their requirements. NONE of the Federally Recognized Tribes or Nations accept DNA testing as proof of Native Ancestry….

See this webpage…
http://www.coolrogue.net/genealogy/dnatestingpt1.html

By: kathleen m

kathleen m — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:31:54 +0000

Yes, DNA testing by ancestry can connect a person to a specific Native- American tribe, and it can also connect a person to a specific African- American tribe. DNA testing is an exacting science.
May God bless you.

By: thelostrose

thelostrose — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:31:54 +0000

Yes it can; DNA is very specific, thank heavens. It helps me when I’m doing research on my own NA heritage.

By: Liz D

Liz D — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:31:54 +0000

DNA testing is not an exact science for heredity. Therefore unless there are documented DNA samples to test against one has only a small window of exactitude. You might consider the fact that you haven’t a true or verifiable sample. There are some scientists that consider fewer gene samples to collaborate a match but then again others who believe this type of finding to be suspect.
If your relatives have told you that you are from a certain indigenous people ask them why they believe this and then seek a genealogy. It is possible that somewhere down the line there was an adoption (probably not noted legally, and unmentioned).

By: KittyKat

KittyKat — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:31:54 +0000

You can get information from the Bolling Family Association who is testing people to see which Bollings/Bolings/Bowlings/Bolens/Bolins etc are related to Pocahontas. Click on the DNA link ~ there should be a person to contact for more information and guidance.

By: Shirley T

Shirley T — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:31:54 +0000

Y dna is passed soley from father to son.

Mitochondrial DNA is passed from mother to both her sons and daughters but only her daughters pass it on to their children.

Autosomal DNA is what most of your DNA is. You get it 50-50 from both parents. If you are a female, it is best to have autosomal done to get both sides of the family. Right now for genealogy mostly what they are using autosomal for is ethnic and racial background. Also it is the only DNA test that can prove paternity of a female.