I want to be genetically tested for genealogical research...Where and how much?

Question:I have long studied my family tree, and have discovered twenty possible nationalities, and several races. I am interested in genetic testing, but I am unsure of where I can have one done, and how much it will cost. I am mainly interested in proving my Cherokee and Melungeon ancestry. My great-great grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee (her family escaped into the hill of West Virgina during the Trail of Tears).
I have heard some people say that they have pinpointed it down to the nationality, while others say it only detects races, which is true?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have long studied my family tree, and have discovered twenty possible nationalities, and several races. I am interested in genetic testing, but I am unsure of where I can have one done, and how much it will cost. I am mainly interested in proving my Cherokee and Melungeon ancestry. My great-great grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee (her family escaped into the hill of West Virgina during the Trail of Tears).
I have heard some people say that they have pinpointed it down to the nationality, while others say it only detects races, which is true?

Here are a few sites.
The cost depends on whether you are male or female and whether you want to search for paternal or maternal lines.
I don't believe there's a lot of sharing between sites. You might check if they have a group for your surname. As far as what they can/can't determine I'm not knowledgeable enough to sort through the claims.

Genetic testing costs vary depending on how many tests must be run. Its not covered by insurance and may cost $600 or more for simple blood tests.

From what I understand they cannot pinpoint it down to specific nationalities. They can, for instance, say Northern European, East Asian etc but not a specific nationality.

You don't need a blood test. It is a DNA test. Your blood has DNA, but so does your hair, your saliva etc. Actually most of the companies will send you a kit and you swab the inside of your mouth with somethiing like a qtip.

Y DNA is passed solely from father to son.

Mitochondrial DNA is passed from mother to both sons and daughters but only her daughters pass it on to their children.

Most of our DNA is autosomal. We get it 50-50 from both parents. I understand that Sorenson Molecular Genealogical Foudation will start testing autosomal for genealogy within the year. It is more complicated to do so. I don't know of anyone now that will do autosomal for ethnicity testing. I understood that FamilyTreeDNA out of Houston had been doing it but they have discontinued.

Actually if you have a brother, it would be best to have him tested as he has your father's Y DNA and your mother mitochondrial DNA. Now, neither of those two will give you your maternal grandfather's DNA or your paternal grandmother's DNA, but it would be more than just having your mitochondrial tested.

Put SMGF in your search engine and check them out.

Also put FamilyTreeDNA in your search engine and check them out.