I got my DNA results – now what?

By guest writer Melvin Larry Williams ~

Who was my earliest known ancestor and did I come from a family with historical significance?

There comes a time in our life when these questions beg answers, it is happening to more and more people and is fuel to the explosion of interest in family genealogy.  Recent advances in research has focused on the use of DNA to answer questions about our ancestors and allow the common layperson to peer back into the distant past and also look into the future.

These DNA tools are unique in their use and are available to anyone doing genealogy research.  All that is involved is a saliva sample and several companies are offering this test.  The results specific to the tested individual are then computer matched to others with that DNA signature.

In my specific family I did not know my Williams ancestor beyond my Paternal (male) grandfather.   This is not a problem and can be solved with Y-DNA.  This Y-DNA test is specific to the male in the family and is passed virtually without change from father to son.  The Y-DNA is displayed as a set of marker numbers in a specific sequence and can be, depending on the test you order, a 12, 24, 37, 67  or higher sequence.  Most databases say to test for 67 markers for higher accuracy of the interpretation of the results.

This means that the earliest male ancestor in your family tree had a specific Y-DNA signature from his father and his father’s father and on back.  This is where a good family tree is important because you need real names to use with your Y-DNA results.

Looking at a recent happening, an ancestor born in 1741 had four sons; William, Etheldred, Jonathan and Joseph.  Each of the four sons had prosperous lives and many children. One of these direct male descendants did the Y-DNA test and his results became sort of a benchmark for that family.  This alone did not give descendants validity, but is the first necessary step.  The goal of the Y-DNA process is to find another direct male descendant from an original but different son and have him do a Y-DNA test.  The assumption is that the two results will match perfectly, however a small mismatch in one or two markers over a couple hundred years is okay.  In my case, this has been repeated for a third son also.

Genealogy is all about improving family trees and filling in the blanks.  It is only logical that this Williams family would search for a male in each of the original son’s descendants to complete the quest.  In February 2018, a male directly related to the final original son received his Y-DNA results and became the missing benchmark for his Joseph Williams ancestor.

There is a second type of DNA test used to find maternal and paternal family members. It is called an Autosomal DNA test and is very accurate in finding lost or unknown cousins, birth parents for adopted children, and previously unknown siblings.  Several companies are offering this testing.  This is where I spend most of my research time.

The Y-DNA site for the Williams surname is  https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/williams-dna/dna-results    I am in the original grouping #40, currently listed on line 494.  I am 47123.