Understanding Y-DNA
Understanding Y-DNA
The best tools we have for following our male Y-DNA heritage are the tests available at www.familytreedna.com
Because the Y chromosome passes directly from father to son, and in Western nations we pass down the male surname, the Y tests are useful for separating male lineages using the same surname. Anyone starting this journey should order the 37 marker test as a start to see which surname group they most commonly match. If you see a preponderance of common surnames, you may want to order the full sequence of SNPs that will show with the Big 700 test. The more people that test, the more accurate the results over time.
The following information and links can help you understand your DNA results.
First, an explanation from Peter E. McFarland about STRs and SNPs