DNA Day is held annually on 25 April around the world, although it did start out as a US-only thing and was called National DNA Day. What is now known as International DNA Day, World DNA Day or just simply DNA Day (although it still seems to be largely known as National DNA Day in the US), started back in 2003 and is held annually, with celebrations being organised by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). It is a day to commemorate the anniversary of James Watson and Francis Crick’s discovery (and published article) of the Double Helix, as well as the completion of the Genome Project which took 13 years to complete.
There’s no doubt that genealogy and DNA work well together, but remember, one doesn’t simply replace the other, you need the paperwork and genetics to back each other up.
Anyway to celebrate DNA Day, we have some highlights and specials for you. So if you’ve been holding out to get a DNA kit for yourself or other family members, or a guidebook to help you understand it all, now’s a great time to do so.
An AncestryDNA test allows you to uncover your ethnic mix, discover distant relatives, and find new details about your unique family history with a simple DNA test. AncestryDNA has just announced that over 4 million people have tested with Ancestry, with the last million happening in just 3 months.
FAMILY TREE DNA (FTDNA) – ON SALE (save up to $50)
Family Tree DNA have the most comprehensive Y chromosome, autosomal, and mitochondrial ancestry DNA database for genetic genealogists! You can choose from their Family Finder, Y-DNA, or mtDNA kits, all on sale just for DNA Day.
LIVING DNA – ON SALE (save $40)
Living DNA shows you your DNA mix across 80 world regions, including Britain and Ireland which are broken down 21 regions. Living DNA also puts your ancestry into context showing your breakdown today (going back up to 10 generations), and also the spread of your ancestors at different points in history, showing how we are all connected.
DNA FOR GENEALOGISTS (ebook) – ON SALE (save 50%)
DNA testing will not replace the more familiar genealogical research techniques of gathering oral and documentary evidence and compiling family trees. Instead it offers entirely new research tools – more information to augment the documents and oral histories – as well as a way of testing family trees, to see if conclusions drawn are confirmed by this new evidence. This book shows you how you can use DNA to harness this exciting new range of genealogical tools. The amount of scientific jargon associated with genetics can be intimidating. This publication provides a contextual understanding of DNA suitable for genealogists and discusses the currently available tests that are likely to be of interest to family historians, especially those wanting to prove (or disprove) compiled family trees, the connect ‘new’ relatives by means of inherited genetic material and to draw conclusions about where we fit into the greater human family.
THE FAMILY TREE GUIDE TO DNA TESTING AND GENETIC GENEALOGY – ON SALE (save 10%)
Unlock the secrets in your DNA! Discover the answers to your family history mysteries using the most-cutting edge tool available. This plain-English guide is a one-stop resource for how to use DNA testing for genealogy. Using this book you’ll find guidance on what DNA tests are available, plus the methodologies and pros and cons of the three major testing companies and advice on choosing the right test to answer your specific genealogy questions. And once you’ve taken a DNA test, this guide will demystify the often-overwhelming subject and explain how to interpret DNA test results, including how to understand ethnicity estimates and haplogroup designations, navigate suggested cousin matches, and use third-party tools like GEDmatch to further analyze your data.
DNA AND SOCIAL NETWORKING: A GUIDE TO GENEALOGY IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY
DNA testing can now be used to prove or disprove genealogical connections and will put you in touch with your genetic cousins around the world. It can also take you back beyond the paper trail into your pre-surname history. Social networking tools can help you to find and stay in touch with friends and relatives, and provide new ways to share and collaborate with other researchers.