MILESTONE: DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (D.A.R.) IS NOW ACCEPTING Y-DNA EVIDENCE. the folowing information is from the members website. This is truly great news for many trying to prove their relationship to William Butram, our Revolutionary War soldier buried in White County, TN. DNA Evidence ... For a long time, DAR has used the results of DNA-based paternity tests to verify member-related applications. However, there are other types of DNA tests that are available commercially to genealogists. These include Y-DNA; mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) and autosomal DNA tests. If you are not familiar with these terms, dont let it worry you. We have put together a bibliography to help you locate published information on the proper use of DNA in genealogical research. A link to the bibliography is below. Each type of DNA test has its advantages and limitations. At this time, Y-DNA tests offer the most reliable means of using DNA evidence for DAR papers. Y-DNA is passed from father to son, so only males can be tested. Both males and females inherit mtDNA from their mother, but due to the slow rate of mutations that is inherent with mtNDA, these results do not lend themselves to distinguishing specific relationships within the past 250 years. Autosomal DNA (also known as chromosomal DNA) is much more complicated to use. As such, its use is just not practical for DAR applications. At the October 2013 National Board of Management meeting, the Executive Committee adopted the use of Y-DNA evidence for DAR applications. The fully policy that was adopted is below and is effective 1 January 2014. ■Bibliography: Proper Use of DNA in Genealogical Research ■Policy on the Use of Y-DNA Evidence for DNA Membership Applications The DAR public site may be accessed at: dar.org/
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 18:46:50 +0000