DNA

Can I use autosomal DNA testing in a lineage society application?

If you’ve taken an Ancestry DNA test, you may be wondering if you can use the results in a lineage society application. The short answer: maybe. The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution both permit the use of autosomal DNA testing as support for an application. But there areContinue reading “Can I use autosomal DNA testing in a lineage society application?”

Can I use the results of a mitochondrial DNA test in a lineage society application?

First of all, what’s a mitochondria? For those of you who don’t recall your high school biology class: a mitochondria is a structure within the cell. It’s often referred to as a cell’s “energy center.” There’s a really good explanation here. Mitochondria have their own DNA, so they can be tested separately. It was longContinue reading “Can I use the results of a mitochondrial DNA test in a lineage society application?”

Can I use Ancestry ThruLines as proof for a lineage society application?

The simple answer: no. The reasoning lies in how “ThruLines” are created. The following is from Ancestry’s description: “We use the family tree linked to your test to find people who are in your tree and are also in your matches’s linked trees. […]” In short, ThruLines searches the submitted family trees of your DNAContinue reading “Can I use Ancestry ThruLines as proof for a lineage society application?”

Avoid Common Lineage Society Mistakes: Know What Documents You’ll Need to Provide

Family trees? Ancestry ThruLines? A family genealogy? Lineage societies have rules about records you can and cannot submit as supporting documentation. Knowing what those rules are can save you significant time and frustration. Check with your specific society before proceeding, but here are a few general rules. If a vital record (birth, death or marriageContinue reading “Avoid Common Lineage Society Mistakes: Know What Documents You’ll Need to Provide”

DAR’s updated DNA policy: what does it mean for you?

The Daughters of the American Revolution recently announced that they will begin accepting autosomal and mitochrondrial DNA. See https://www.dar.org/national-society/genealogy/dna-and-dar-applications and https://blog.dar.org/dar-begins-accepting-autosomal-dna for details. What does it mean for you? If you can document your entire line back to a qualifying ancestor “on paper,” little to nothing will change. DAR will continue to verify applications inContinue reading “DAR’s updated DNA policy: what does it mean for you?”