DNA Paternal Ancestry Test

Y chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) is the DNA found on the Y chromosome, the male sex chromosome. Females inherit two X chromosomes (one from each parent), while males inherit one X chromosome (from their mother) and one Y chromosome (from their father). Therefore, only males have Y-DNA, so only males can take this Y-DNA test.  

Y-DNA is passed down strictly from father to son along the direct paternal line. The patrilineal inheritance pattern of Y-DNA means that all males who descended from the same patrilineal ancestral lineage will have the same (or very similar) Y-DNA profile.Y-DNA testing allows you to trace the ancestry of your direct paternal lineage (your father’s, father’s, father’s… paternal lineage). Using your Y-DNA results, you can find out whether you are linked to any other individual along your direct paternal line; you can search a global database to seek potential long lost paternal line relatives from around the world; and you can find out which ancient Y-DNA Haplogroup you belong to.

Please note that only males have Y-DNA so only males can take the Y-DNA test. Females wishing to trace their paternal lineage must test the Y-DNA of a male relative along their direct paternal line, such as a brother, father, male cousin, uncle, etc.

Y-DNA test method: PCR analysis of short tandem repeat (STR) markers in the Y-DNA. 20 to 101 Y-DNA STR markers can be tested.

What do you get when you order a Paternal Ancestry (Y-DNA) test?

You will receive a certificate detailing the number of repeats that your carry at each STR marker tested. 

1. Use the DNA Reunion database to search for long lost relatives on your direct paternal line
2. Use the Indigenous DNA feature to find out which indigenous population is the closest match to your paternal lineage
3. Use the DNA Haplogroups feature to trace the ancient migration of your paternal ancestors to their final ancestral homeland
4. Use the DNA Archaeology feature compare against famous historical figures

What can I do with my Y-DNA results?

Using your Y-DNA results, any two individuals can compare their profiles to see whether they descended from the same paternal line. If the Y-DNA test shows that two individuals have different Y-DNA profiles, it would conclusively prove that they did not descend from the same paternal lineage. You can use your Y-DNA profile to compare with other individuals in your tree to confirm a positive linkage, verify new linkages, or verify findings from your paper research. You can also use your Y-DNA markers to search our global database to find potential matches from around the world. You can even choose to receive automatic notifications by email whenever a new match is found.

How many Y-DNA markers should I test? 

The Y-DNA STR test determines the number of repeats at a selection of STR markers on the Y-chromosome. STR markers are "short tandem repeats". They are sections of DNA that vary in the number of copies of a simple repeat sequence. STRs tend to change more frequently than other sections of DNA. You can select to analyse just 20 STR markers, 44 markers or 101 markers. The more markers you test, the more stringent your comparisons will be when matching against another individual. For example, a perfect match with another individual at all 101 markers will be a far stronger match than a match at only 20 markers. If you have a 20 marker match with another individual, comparing more markers will provide further clarification of the relevance of the match and will allow you to see if you continue to match when more markers are compared.

If I test only 20 markers, can I test more markers at a later date?

If you test only 20 STR markers, or only 44 STR markers, you can choose to test the remaining markers at a later date. However, you may be required to collect a new sample for the additional testing.