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Gilliland

(Gilleland, Gililland, Gillerland, Gilland, Gillen, Gillon)
  • 193 members
Administrators
  • LuAnn Elsinger
Co-Administrators
  • Gary Hamilton

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FAQ

Index to Frequently Asked Questions

About yDNA Testing
About Autosomal DNA Testing
Testing Recommendations
  yDNA Test Recommendations
  yDNA SNP Testing Recommendations
  atDNA Test Recommendations
Helpful DNA Websites
  General DNA Discussion Websites
  yDNA Discussion Websites
  Autosomal DNA Discussion Websites
Gilliland Websites
DNA Sharing and Comparison Websites

About yDNA Testing

A man's patrilineal ancestry, or male-line ancestry, can be traced through the DNA on his Y chromosome (Y-DNA) through Y-STR testing. This is because a son inherits these yDNA markers only from his father who inherited them from his father... Y-STR is an acronym for Short Tandem Repeats. “Repeat” refers to the number of copies of a particular genetic marker at a particular location on the Y Chromosome. The number of these copies at each marker location (for example, there are 111 marker locations with a y-DNA 111 test) change very slowly over time. Because the number of Repeats at each location changes so slowly through generations it can track patrilineal relationships far back in history. This means you might identify a cousin with a Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) a dozen or more generations in the past. In that case you would probably be lucky to find the paper trail that identifies the MRCA. In general males who match other males on the most markers are their closest relatives. FTDNA’s “TiP” report estimates the number of generations between two individuals to a shared common male ancestor or MRCA.

About Autosomal DNA Testing

Unlike yDNA which is passed down directly from male to male, autosomal DNA (atDNA) contains genetic information from both parents. You will get about half of your atDNA from each of your parents. Each of your grandparents contribute to your own atDNA, on average, only 25%, your great grandparents 12.5%, great great grandparents 6.25% and so on. For that reason atDNA is more useful for finding a Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) with another person generally back to no more than 4 to 6 generations although this is highly variable depending on simple chance.

Testing Recommendations

Please contact an administrator of the Gilliland project if you have questions about these test recommendations. These recommendations are specific to the goals of this project. If you have other goals with genetic genealogy you should find recommendations that address your specific research interests.

yDNA Test Recommendations

If you have a known male relative who is a direct male descendant of your direct male ancestor and that person has already tested at 67 or 111 markers at FTDNA then a 37-marker test is probably all you need. If you are searching for male ancestors by discovery through testing you should take a 67- or 111-marker test if possible. If cost is an issue you can start with a 37-marker test then upgrade in the future.

yDNA SNP Testing Recommendations

These tests are usually unnecessary in this project for research into documented historical genealogy. You may wish to join a Haplogroup Project associated with your estimated haplogroup for information about these tests that reach much further back into ancient male ancestry.

atDNA Test Recommendations

  • The simplest option is to test with FTDNA (FamilyFinder or FF test). If you wish you can then upload your results to one of the sharing and comparison sites discussed elsewhere on this page to discover a wider group of cousins and access additional analytical tools.
  • Another option is to first test with Ancestry.com or 23andMe then transfer your results to FTDNA for a small fee. Search for - Transfer DNA Results to FTDNA - with your favorite search engine for more details. The plus with this approach is that you get a wider pool of test results to compare to.

Helpful DNA Websites

These sites discuss topics about genetic genealogy from the general to highly specific technical information.

General DNA Discussion Websites

yDNA Discussion Websites

Autosomal DNA Discussion Websites

Gilliland Discussion Websites

These sites have information, queries and sharing about family ancestries associated with the Gilliland surname.

DNA Sharing and Comparison Websites

These sites allow someone with tests from FTDNA, 23andMe, Ancestry and other testing companies to upload their DNA results and compare the data to test results from companies other than the one where your sample was tested. All of these sites are free but require you to register. Some have additional features that are accessible for a small fee.
  • GEDMatch is probably the best common area for uploading and comparing Autosomal DNA results http://Gedmatch.com
  • DNAGedcom is another tool to upload and compare Autosomal DNA results. They have an additional focus on information about adoptions and finding an unknown biological parent through DNA. http://dnagedcom.com/
  • ySearch is a site specifically for uploading yDNA results and comparing your information with test results from other companies. FTDNA has probably already uploaded your yDNA information to this site. Look for your ySearch ID at the bottom of your yDNA Matches page. http://Ysearch.org