DNA Paternal Ancestry Tests

What’s your DNA story? Find your roots & new details about your family history on the father’s side with this DNA test.

Test Types

Description

This DNA test sequences your maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), allowing you to trace the ancestry of your direct maternal lineage (your mother’s, mother’s, mother’s…maternal lineage).

The mtDNA contains three regions: HVR1, HVR2, and Coding (more information in the genetics section). Testing the HVR1 and HVR2 regions will allow you to make use of all of the search and analysis features of the database. Testing all three regions of the mtDNA is required to confirm your mtDNA haplogroup and subclade.

Chose from the following options:

Standard Test: HVR1 sequence. This is often all that is required to achieve an adequate resolution.
Advanced Test: HVR1 + HVR2 sequence
Premium Test: The full mtDNA genome sequence (HVR1 + HVR2 + Coding Region). This provides the highest resolution.

What is mtDNA?

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is found in the mitochondria of human cells. Each cell can contain several mitochondria, and each mitochondrion contains dozens of copies of mtDNA. So in every cell there can be thousands of copies of mtDNA. This is different from nuclear DNA, since we only inherit two copies of the autosomal and sex chromosomes per cell.

All of us inherit our mtDNA from only our mothers. This mtDNA essentially remains unchanged through the maternal line, providing an incredibly useful way to trace maternal ancestry.

What is mtDNA Sequencing?

The circular mitochondrial genome has three regions – two small hypervariable (HVR) regions and a large coding region. It is possible to sequence just the HVR1 region, both hypervariable regions (HVR1 and HVR2), or the complete mitochondrial genome (HVR1, HVR2 and the coding region).

The hypervariable regions comprise approximately 1100 bases of the mtDNA genome. Most of the variation in the mtDNA occurs in these regions. If two people have a perfect match at their HVR1 and HVR2 regions, further analysis of the much larger coding region can provide a higher stringency comparison and further resolution. The coding region covers the remainder of the mitochondrial genome and the complete mitochondrial genome is 16,569 base pairs.

Three Easy Steps

Your journey begins by obtaining the Participation Kit. The Kit contains everything you need to collect a DNA sample quickly and painlessly using a mouth swab.

Step 1

Get Your Kit

Collect your DNA with simple cheek swabs. Submit your samples back to our lab for testing.

Step 2

Receive Your Results

Receive your results online as soon as the testing is complete.

Step 3

Begin Your Journey

Become part of exciting and dynamic projects involving people from around the globe.

Bring Your Ancestry Research to the Next Level

Get access to 4 powerful complimentary databases and learn more about your origins today.

DNA Reunion Database

Search for long lost family lines. Ideal for genealogists looking to expand their family tree and confirm or refute family legends, individuals looking for their biological parents and family members separated by adoption or other reasons (e.g. war).

Famous DNA Database

Compare your DNA to royalty, famous or notable people in history. Profiles include Marie Antoinette, Genghis Khan, Nicholas Copernicus, King Richard III and more.

DNA Haplogroups Database

Trace you ancestry back over 100,000 years to its ancient roots in Africa.

Indigenous DNA Database

Determine which indigenous groups are most similar to your DNA type.