What does DNA mean for genealogy?

Scientific advancements always present new opportunities and challenges – and the introduction of the use of DNA in the world of genealogy is no exception! While DNA has been widely used in the field of criminal investigations since the 1980s, it remained an expensive proposition for decades. Putting genetic material to work in solving questions of ancestry came right on the heels of its use in criminology – there are incidences of its use in tracing genealogy as early as the 1990s.

With science comes commerce, and public companies began to see the relevance of putting DNA to work helping people research beyond their known ancestors to search for family roots in other countries – or find that long-lost cousin who was thought to be only a legend. In 2000, Family Tree DNA in Houston introduced its genealogy testing to the public. Other companies soon followed, and today’s ancestry researchers have many options for seeing how far back their family can be traced with DNA.

I’m just beginning my own research into how DNA can bolster and enhance family histories. What I do know, however, is that all good historians love tools! Putting technology to work should always enhance, rather than replace, other methods of evidence-gathering. Like many of my colleagues in the field of academic research, facts require corroboration from several sources – we never take one nugget of information as the entirety of the story. Ancestral DNA holds the potential to help solidify leads and offer new signposts to guide the way to building good family trees.