For the longest time I have been curious about my ancestry. My parents do not know much, and I am eager to trace my roots back as far as possible. Any help on where I can go and find this out?

The DNA won't give you specifics. There are markers for Native Americans and for African heritage, so if you have a family story about being part African or part Indian, you can prove/disprove it. It won't tell you that you are Chief Red Cloud's 6th great grand-daughter; just that there was an Indian there somewhere.

The 12-point test cost me $100; it may be cheaper now. If someone matches you on all 12 points, they said, it means you had a mutual ancestor no more than 600 - 700 years ago. That would take in most of Western Europe.

If your parents know who their grandparents were, and what their grandmother's maiden names were, you might be able to trace by traditional means - obits, birth, marriage and death certificates, census entries.

I was contemplating taking the african american ancestry dna test and I was wondering if it was a valid way to trace your heritage. People are so crooked now a days and well.I just don't want to end up wasting $300 on bogus results. I really feel the need to know more about my ancestors and exactly where they originated. Please help, if you can. Thanks.

Hey Krissy,

The tests can be really expensive you are correct. You need to stick to a reputable testing company, like National Geographic or Family Tree. Sorenson does the Test for free, it is a 12 marker test, which is not real good - but really it is free. Personally, I have participated in one Surname project with Family Tree, and my Uncle (for my Mom's side) took the Surname project for my Mothers maiden name (has to be a male participant). The Type of project you are looking for, you might do well to get your feet wet with the free Sorenson test.

I know this is global, many companies are offering this online, but I am interested to know if this is possible in Middle east. I have got a link of www.dnaacestry.ae. Anyone is having more idea?

Yes they are I used familytreedna labs in Houston,Texas.
you can test your Y-DNA which is your DNA that is passed through the male line of your family or you can test the mtdna
which is passed through the female line of the family, Now I've only tested my Y-DNA as I'm using it to test against other males who carry my Surname. I wasn't as intersted in it to test for my ancestrial roots as I was for its ability to link other families together through genetics, But on a side note it did tell me that my fathers family at some point in history passed through the middle East and settled in the North of present day Iran before migrating to the Balkans and then into Present Day Germany and then into present day Sweden and then crossed the Ice Sheets to Present day Scotland sometime around 12,000-10,000 years ago and became isolated and developed its own genetic markers which puts me into a subclade for I1C Haplogroup. And yes even if you live in the Middle East many companies can do this for you just check up on the companies and make sure the are reputable companies. Hope this Helps.

Do DNA ancestry tests always give you the correct ethnic groups? Do DNA ancestry tests always give you the correct ethnic groups?

I would suggest that you do some basic research on the subject, starting with:
“Mapping Human History: Discovering the Past Through Our Genes” by Steve Olson
"Genealogy 101" by Barbara Renick and
"Trace Your Roots with DNA: Using Genetic Tests to Explore Your Family Tree" by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak and Ann Turner.

After that, despite what other say, log into www.familytreedna.com and see what they have to say. Their site provides basic DNA schooling.

Also, please consider all those TV shows such as CSI, NCIS, et al. Whilest those shows do not accurately portray how involved and time intensive DNA research/searches are, they are based upon scientific analysis of DNA.

Your DNA will reveal if you have red, white, black, yellow, or brown-skinned ancestors. It will reveal if any of them were Sephardic or Ashkenazi Jew; whether your ancestors were Eskimos or Innuits or Saami, etc., etc., etc.

Finally, I might point out that the scientist who discovered that DNA was different for males vs. females, whites vs. blacks vs. browns vs. yellows vs. reds was a black man. He is still considered the world's foremost authority on using DNA to see where you came from; your DNA will tell him if your ancestors came from Northern Italy or Southern Italy, whether their ancestors were Jews, blacks, or whatever.

So, read up!

What's the deal with these? I found a company on the web that claims they can find the tribe and the genetic owned clan. I know DNA is very specific, but is it THAT SPECIFIC that something of this magnitude can be determined?

YES. If the company is reputable (check out the test done by Ancestry.com that determined that Al Sharpton's and segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond had ancestors in common - Thurmond's ancestors owned Sharpton's ancestors). Isaiah Washington also had his DNA tested and it was determined that his ancestors on his mother's side are from Angola, and his father's from Sierra Leone. The mitochondrial DNA from the mother and the Y-chromosome from the father come down to us relatively unaltered, and therefore, determining ancestry is relatively easy when compared with the DNA of those with similar DNA. This would depend on whether the company has enough DNA of people who have an established ancestry to be able to match yours with to come up with an answer.
This company I know is reputable: http://ancestrybydna.com/welcome/home/index.php

I want to find out my EXACT ancestry heritage.what is the best and cheapest way to do it? I know I am korean, with some japanese from when they invaded korea, and some Caucasian when my grandparents came to america.but I would like to know what percent of exactly what.thanks!

Locate your Google search bar. Type in DNA ancestry. Enter. Check out all the links.