Our simple test can help you find out the origins of your ancestors — your roots.
Order a DNA analysis from Discover Natural Ancestry. Your results are provided with a personalized map showing the geographic locations of your ancestors.
Your ancestry can be determined simply by swabbing your inner cheek with a cotton swab from one of our Swab Kits. By soaking the swab with your saliva, we are able to collect your DNA. We analyze the DNA using the latest technologies and help you find your genetic origins and discover more about yourself.
What We Offer
We provide simple steps to help you identify your ancestral heritage:
- Supply a swab collection kit to collect a sample of your DNA which is analyzed in our world class laboratories.
- Identify your DNA sequence . We use one of the largest available global geographic databases of human DNA sequences.
- Results of your DNA analysis are presented with:
- A personalized map showing the geographic locations of your ancestors
- Your DNA sequence
- Your haplogroup; Which identifies the migration pattern and age from your genetic markers.
To learn more about our home DNA swab kits, please go to our Swab Kit page.
What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the hereditary material present in the nucleus of every cell in our bodies except the blood cells. The region of DNA that controls a hereditary characteristic is called a Gene. Genes carry all hereditary
information, including skin color and eye color. DNA is also present in the mitochondria (mtDNA) of cells. We inherit nuclear DNA from both our parents. MtDNA is inherited exclusively from our mothers. This ensures an unbroken lineage on our mothers' side. Fathers carry Y-chromosomes in their nuclear DNA. These are inherited
exclusively by their sons, ensuring a unique male lineage.
Two Types of DNA
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) traces the roots of our mothers. It’s inherited only from the female and passed on to both her male and female children. Men and women both can be tested for mtDNA to determine their mothers' lines, but men don’t pass their mitochondria on to their children, as women do.
- Y-chromosome DNA is inherited and transmitted only from fathers to sons. The presence of a Y-chromosome causes maleness. Since every male has only one Y-chromosome, every son is guaranteed to receive an exact copy of his father’s Y-chromosome. For a female to determine the ancestral roots of her father, she must have her father, brother or paternal uncle tested.
Learn more about DNA in our "DNA Outline". (next section)