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Question: DNA testing for Native American ancestry!?
Will matrilineal DNA testing reveal if my mother's family have Native American ancestry!? I'm not trying to get specific information about tribes, just want to satisfy personal curiosity!.

If so, how can I find a reputable company for testing!? Thanks!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
If the female line varies one time from the Native American, then no it will not tell you if your mothers family has Native American ancestry even though it could very well have it!. Testing would have to be a bit more comprehensive!. From all my reading autosomal testing is your best chance of discovering your ancestry percentage of origin!.
RTWww@QuestionHome@Com

A Mitochondrial DNA test will only show any Native American ancestry in the direct female line!. It would not include her father!. Actually it will leave out a lot of her ancestry!.

Mitochondrial goes from mother to both sons and daughters but only the daughters pass it on to their children!. If you get back to your 6xgreat grandmother, you are directly descended from 255 ancestors on your mother' s side of the family but you will get your Mitochondrial DNA from only 8 of them!. It will leave our 247 direct ancestors in your mother's family!.

HOwever, if you are wantiing the information for tribe benefits, I understand the tribes will not accept DNA testing!.

There is Autosomal testing which is used to match you with population groups around the world!. This company does that

http://www!.dnatribes!.com

When you go into their website you can send them an email and ask questions!.

FamilyTreeDNA does not do Autosomal testing for this purpose!. I believe they did at one time!. They will test your Mitochondrial for genealogy purposes!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you are tested!. Your DNA will be compared to the RACE tables!.

If a (A,B,C,D or X) DNA marker is found then you have a female Native American ancestor!.

These markers first showed up approximately 70,000 years ago!.

So, the results will say your closest Ancestor is 70,000 years!. There is no other information known for Native Americans!.

Is that worth hundreds of dollars!?!?!?
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Those testing companies are getting rich on claiming they can tell people if they are Native American!.

The companies are always trying convince tribes to have their communities tested!. At $300-$500 a test they are looking at making millions!. It's a farce!.
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Just to back up what I was saying here are some sites!.
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How do I get tested to prove that I have American Indian blood!? (This whole article is an outright lie)

DNA testing can help you establish your membership in most of the 562 federally recognized American Indian Tribes!.
http://americanindiandna!.com/
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Here is one aimed at testing tribes!.

Native American Testing Services
As an industry leader, we recognize the impacts of DNA testing on the Native American community!.

It can be a valuable tool, if used in a way that protects the tribe's best interests!.

Our goal is simply to make the technology accessible, affordable, and beneficial to the Native American community!.

We provide a variety of DNA testing options to meet your tribe's different needs!. A DNA test can provide valuable information about biological relationships between living tribal members and applicants enrolling for tribal membership
http://www!.dnacenter!.com/native-american!.!.!.
!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It *could*!. Mitochorndrial DNA tests only the DNA of your mother's mother's mother's mother (and on up til it hits on the the "Eves")!. AS to finding a good company!. Hit the geneology blogs and forums and see what real people have to say!.Www@QuestionHome@Com