What is the DNA Ancestry Project?

The DNA Ancestry Project is a online database built on a Web 2.0 platform which connects genealogists from around the world and facilitates genetic genealogy research through user to user connections and user to laboratory data source connections.

Once participants obtain their ancestral markers through Genebase, participation in many of the search and analysis features of the project is free. The Project aims to connect people with new developments in Genetic Genealogy by providing a direct link from users to scientific studies. As new studies and data become available, the data is available for searching and comparison by project members. Finding a match in the scientific databases can help users to make new discoveries and family connections across many generations.

The database contains “deep ancestry” data and studies (for tracing lineage back tens of thousands of years) as well as “family genealogy” data (for recent family studies tracing lines over the past few hundred years).

The database contains user data from around the world and continues to grow as membership grows. The family tree feature automatically links various lineages together to facilitate collaborative genetic genealogy studies between different family members to uncover the roots of different lines of the family tree. The database accepts user data which allows comparisons between active users in the project, as well as data from scientific studies which allows users to compare their data to real scientific studies.

The project contains the following database types:

• Y-DNA STR database - For tracing surnames and ancestry on the paternal line.
• Y-DNA SNP database - For tracing deep ancestry on the paternal line.
• mtDNA mutation/SNP database - For tracing ancestry on the maternal line.
• mtDNA sequence - For full mtDNA analysis and comparisons.

User-to-User Comparisons

The database facilitates the comparison of data between active users in the system to allow users to link up to other users and the system to look for matches, discover connections and look for geographical or ethnic correlations.

User to Scientific Studies Analysis

This feature allows users to connect their data to findings from the latest scientific studies and research data. As new findings emerge from various fields of study, the database will facilitate the interaction of users with the findings of the study so that users can see how the studies can shed light on their own data.

Who can join?

Anyone who has had their ancestral markers tested at Genebase will automatically become part of the DNA Ancestry Project.

History of the DNA Ancestry Project

1998 - Traditional DNA testing methods
Genetrack Biolabs processed Y-DNA and mtDNA testing and released results documents directly to clients.

October 2005 - Genebase Database Launched
Clients required a method to compare their DNA results with other clients. The first version of Genebase was launched in 2005 based on a Web 2.0 platform to allow DNA testing recipients to interact with each other and to compare DNA data. This version of Genebase only allows Y-DNA STR data and does not store Y-DNA SNP or mtDNA data.

August 2006 - Genebase 2.0 version developed
The second version of Genebase was developed to accomodate Y-DNA SNPs, and mtDNA data. The official launch of version 2.0 was held back pending completion of the GEDCOM feature.

May 2007 - Genebase 2.0 version launched
The newest version of Genebase is GEDCOM compatible and the database accomodates Y-DNA and mtDNA data, SNPs and full sequences.

What is it?

The DNA Ancestry Project Database contains a dynmic collection of genetic genealogy information. The database can be divided into four types.

Y-DNA STR Database

The Y-DNA STR Database was the first database type available on Genebase. The STR database stores the allele values of over 75 genetic loci obtained through Y-DNA STR Testing. This database is ideal for surname research and tracing ancestry on the paternal line. It is also useful for individuals searching for exact or close matches to other males who are descendents of the same paternal line.

Y-DNA SNP Database

The Y-DNA SNP database stores SNP markers and is intended for users who are interested in researching their deep ancestry and determining their haplogroup. The haplogroup can be predicted with the STR test, but the only way to confirm a haplogroup prediction is with SNP analysis.

mtDNA Mutation / SNP Database

The mtDNA mutation/SNP database records the markers in the mtDNA (a mutation/marker represents a region of the mtDNA which is different from the Cambridge Reference Sequence, CRS).

mtDNA Sequence Database

The entire length of the DNA tested is stored and can be downloaded and compared to other sequences.

What are the steps involved in participation?

1. Participants must have DNA markers obtained through DNA testing. Begin by obtaining a participation kit. Existing Genebase users should log into their control panel, click “DNA Ancestry Project”, then follow the instructions in the control panel to obtain a kit. Kits can also be ordered for friends and family members by clicking on “my markers” and then clicking “order test”.
2. The participation kit contains supplies for collecting a DNA sample from inside the mouth. The DNA sample is collected by rubbing two brushes inside the mouth against the cheek for 15 seconds. The proceedure is painless. After the sample is collected, the brushes are placed into specimen envelopes and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
3. Depending on the type of analysis, the turnaround time can range from 3 to 12 weeks. Once results are available, they are uploaded directly to the database and can be accessed through the user’s control panel. The user has control over the privacy settings of the markers. When the markers are set to “public”, the user can use them to search the database to look for matches and take part in DNA projects.

The Y-DNA SNP Haplogroup Backbone Test Panel contains 19 SNP markers throughout the Y-DNA.  These 19 SNP markers are the defining markers for an individual’s Y-DNA haplogroup.  The chart below lists the 19 markers that are included in this panel, and the haplogroups that they define.

The diagram below is a phylogenetic tree illustrating how all people living today share a common paternal ancestor, the “Y-Chromosomal Adam”.  The diagram also shows where each Y-DNA SNP marker appears in the tree.  Click here to download and print a detailed copy of the Y-DNA Haplogroup Map. 

The mtDNA HVR1 region spans positions 16,000 to 16,500 of the mtDNA and contains an abundance of SNP markers which provide extremely useful information for determining an individual’s maternal ancestry.  The mtDNA HVR1 Test uses a method known as “sequencing” to read the genetic code of the entire HVR1 region. 

Once your mtDNA HVR1 sequence is known, it is compared to a reference sequence known as the “Cambridge Reference Sequence” (CRS).  Click here to read more about the CRS.  Any region of your sequence that differs from the CRS is considered a SNP mutation.  Your mutations are presented to you in a mutation table after your test is completed.  Your set of mtDNA SNP markers is unique to you and your maternal line and contains valuable information about your maternal ancestors.  Your mtDNA results allow you to trace your deep maternal ancestry:

1.  Tracing maternal ancestry by direct comparison - compare your mtDNA profile to others

• Compare with family and friends
• Compare to other Genebase Users
• Compare to different ethnic groups

2.  Tracing deep maternal ancestry - determine your mtDNA haplogroup

Markers in the HVR1 region which are useful for Haplogroup determination are indicated in “blue” in the phylogenetic tree below.  Click here to download a detailed copy of the mtDNA Haplogroup Map. 

Region:   16001 - 16520

Like the HVR1 region, the HVR2 region of the mtDNA contains an abundance of SNP markers and is a rich source of ancestral markers for individuals wishing to trace their maternal ancestry.  Not only does it supplement the results of the HVR1 test when used in comparison studies, the HVR2 Test examines regions which also contain important markers for definining an individual’s mtDNA haplogroup. 

The phylogenetic tree below illustrates where some of the critical SNP markers are located.  Click here to download a detailed copy of the mtDNA Haplogroup Map. 

Region:   1 - 400

How it works:

The family tree section allows you to build a dynamic family tree using a Web 2.0 platform. The Web 2.0 platform has many advantages:

• Easy to share family tree with other living family members.
• Allows family members to collaboratively build onto the same tree.
• Instant communication and updates between living family members in the tree.
• Instant updates when the tree has been edited or changed.

Building your tree:

To access the family tree section, click “my family tree” on left side of page. This will bring you to the Pedigree View by default, with your own node as the “root” of the tree. The family tree can be displayed interchangeably in 1 of 3 ways:

1. Pedigree View
2. Family View
3. List View

The family tree is presented in “pedigree view” by default. By default, the user’s own node is chosen as the default root of the tree. Change the viewing method by clicking the other viewing choices at the top of the page.

Understanding the Pedigree View:

By default, the Family Tree section will display the Pedigree View. The Pedigree View displays a single node as the root of the tree and displays a set number of generations of ancestors from the root node.

Root Node - The root node is the node on the far left side of the page. The pedigree view will always display a set number of generations of ancestors from the root node.

Default root node - When viewing your family tree from your own account, your own node will always be presented as the default root of your family tree, regardless of who created the tree.

Number of generations displayed - By default, 4 generations are displayed at a time in the pedigree view. Using the generation selector at the top of the page, the user and choose to display from 2 to 6 generations at a time.

1. From the tree - Click on the “pedigree” link of any node in the tree to set that node as the root.
2. From the list - A list of all individuals in your family tree is listed in the left side of the page. Click on the “pedigree” link of anyone in the list to set that individual as the root of the tree.

Building the tree - Build the family tree by adding new nodes to the family tree. If a node is missing in the tree, it will indicate [Not Found], followed by the option to Add Father/Add Mother. Click on the add link to add an individual to that spot in the family tree. You can add parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents to the tree from the pedigree view by clicking “add mother” or “add father” link.

Editing existing nodes in the tree - To edit an existing node, click on the “family view” link for the node to be edited. All necessary edits can be accomplished from the family view (see below).

Understanding the Family View:

The family view displays one single family unit at a time. A family unit consists of one father, one mother, and all of their children. The Family View is the best place to build and edit the family tree.

Husband / Wife - By default, the root node will be displayed as either the Husband or the Wife of the family unit.

Add a spouse - If a spouse is missing, the family view will display the fields required to add the missing spouse to the family unit.

Adding additional spouses - If an individual has more than one spouse, additional spouses can be added by clicking “show all” link next to “spouses”, then click “add spouse” to add additional spouses.

Adding children - If there are no children in the family unit, the family view will automatically display the fields required to add a child. Once a child has been added, additional children can be added by clicking “add child” link in the Family View.

Linking existing nodes - If an individual exists in more than one place in the family tree, a single node can be linked to more than one place in the family tree using the “link existing node” link. Whenever a spouse or child is added to a family unit, you have the option to create a new node or to link an existing node in that position. To link an existing node, click “link existing node”, then enter the username or ID# of the node to be linked to that position of the family tree.

Adding parents - To add parents to the husband or wife of a family unit, click the “view parents” link of the husband or the wife. This will show the family view where the husband or wife are the children and their parents are the spouses. The parents can be added or edited in this view.

Correcting mistakes in the family tree - A mistake can be corrected by editing incorrect information in an existing node or by deleting the node from the tree.

How to edit a node - The information of a node can be edited by clicking the “edit” link for that node in the family view.

How to delete a node - If a node has been placed in the wrong place in the tree or is incorrect and needs to be removed, click “unlink node” in the family view. This will allow you to instantly remove the incorrect node. Please note that this will also remove the entire branch that is connected to the node. Once a node has been unlinked from your tree, it (and all nodes connected to it) can be found in the “unlinked nodes” list. To access the unlinked nodes list, click the appropriate icon at the top of the page. This list will contain all nodes which you have created which are no longer linked to your tree. You can choose to delete the nodes or to re-link them to the correct place in your tree.

How to add an existing node - To add an existing node or to merge another tree into your tree, click the “link existing node” feature to add an existing node to the correct place in your tree. Once the node has been added, all nodes which are linked to the node that you have added will also be brought into your family tree.

Understanding the List View:

The List View displays all of the nodes in your family tree in a list format. The list can be sorted (by name, by ID, by gender, by status), by clicking on the appropriate column at the top of the page.