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Introduction
Ancestry DNA has revolutionized how we can trace our family lineage and understand who we are genetically. With this service, you can learn about your ancestry ethnic composition by submitting a saliva sample. Once the results are ready, you can access them online, and begin understanding your ethnicity estimate. In this blog post, we will be discussing how to comprehend ancestry DNA results, and how to interpret them in the right way.
Understanding Your Ethnicity Estimate
Your ethnicity estimate is a result of the analysis of your DNA sample. It is an estimate of the geographical regions that your ancestors lived in. Ancestry DNA’s ethnicity estimate provides a visual representation of the geographic locations where your DNA has similarities to reference groups. These reference groups or DNA populations represent different distant ancestral populations whose modern-day descendants live in specific regions of the world.
When you receive your ethnicity estimate results from Ancestry DNA, it includes a map, and a percentage breakdown of your ethnic composition. Under the map, it shows the estimate of percentages of how much of your DNA comes from which geographic regions of the world. The estimates are broken down into two different sections—ethnicity and genetic communities.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity refers to broad, historical population groups. For example, Europe, Africa, Asia. It is important to know that these groups are not precise boundaries, and there is a possibility of overlap. Additionally, due to population migration over time, your DNA may contain traces of multiple ethnicities. It is important to interpret the ethnic estimates with this understanding.
Genetic Communities
The second section of your ethnicity estimate is genetic communities. These communities are mostly associated with the migration patterns of your recent ancestors. Genetic communities are determined by studying the genetic matches of the members in the community, working with genealogy records, and historical records. These estimates will tell you more specific information about your family’s migration paths, and where they originated.
Interpreting Ethnicity Estimates
It is important to keep in mind that your ethnicity estimate is only based on about 0.02% of your genome, and that the ethnicity of your ancestors is only one factor in your genetic makeup. Furthermore, the accuracy of your ethnicity estimate depends on the available reference populations Ancestry DNA uses. As DNA databases expand, the accuracy of estimates will increase. With those caveats in mind, here are some ways to begin reading into your ethnicity estimate:
Compare Your Ethnicity Estimates with Family History
Although ethnicity estimates may reveal surprising facts about family history, it is also essential to understand the limits of the technology. In particular, different portions of your genome may reflect different aspects of your family’s history. A DNA test by no means defines one’s identity or culture completely. One may identify more with a culture or community than their ancestral origin.
Research Historical Context
Understanding the history of the regions where your ancestors were originally from is helpful in interpreting your ethnicity estimate. For example, if you receive a high percentage of Scandinavian, it may be useful to research Viking history and their role in Scandinavian history. For those looking for more insight into their genetic communities and histories, Ancestry DNA’s records and associated data sets can be helpful.
FAQs
What happens to my DNA after testing?
Your sample is securely destroyed by the laboratory after the test is complete. Your DNA data is stored by Ancestry for possible additional research opportunities. Displaying your ethnicity estimate within the AncestryDNA website is optional, and only you can view your results unless you give others permission to view them.
How accurate is the ethnicity estimate?
AncestryDNA says its ethnicity estimate can provide a high degree of confidence in presenting the ethnic regions for an individual. There are factors, however, that can impact the accuracy of the results, such as the available reference population databases used to analyze the DNA, and the genetic diversity of their regions. In fewer cases, the estimate may lack precision, i.e., DNA ancestry in nearby areas may be difficult to differentiate.
Is it possible for my results to change?
As more DNA samples come in, and more extensive research becomes available, it is possible for the ethnicity or community estimates to change to reflect the latest genetic research. AncestryDNA does not automatically update your DNA results, so you will have to select to opt-in to receive the updates.
Conclusion
Your ancestry DNA estimation can help create an understanding of your ethnic background and provide new opportunities to learn about your genetic ancestors. By understanding how the ethnicity estimates work, and what the results signify, you can build a greater appreciation of your ancestry history, and better understand who you are. However, while it is an exciting way to uncover newfound information, we must remember that such information is only a portion of who we are, and it is important to respect how individual identity and culture can extend beyond ancestry analysis.
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