Using Genealogical Records and Genetic Markers of the Y-chromosome, X-chromosome, and Mitochondrial DNA to Create a Personal Family History Narrative

Using Genealogical Records and Genetic Markers of the Y-chromosome, X-chromosome, and Mitochondrial DNA to Create a Personal Family History Narrative

Using Genealogical Records and Genetic Markers of the Y-chromosome, X-chromosome, and Mitochondrial DNA to Create a Personal Family History Narrative Lauren Douma Division of Math, Science, and Technology Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Advisors: Dr. Emily Schmitt and Dr. Joshua Loomis Abstract The Human Genographic Project has created a map-based hypothesis of how Homo sapiens moved out of Africa populating the World. Created after the Human Genome Project, the Human Genographic Project combines the scientific research of genetics and the historical aspects of genealogy. Gaining inspiration from this large-scale and highly publicized project, the purpose of this study was to use genealogical records as well as genetics tools to discover more information about my own lineage. Using historical genealogical records, I have located many of my ancestors back into the late 19th century, with ancestors having migrated from Hungary and the Netherlands to the United States. The genetics tools used in this project involved commercially available DNA tests that searched for DNA markers located on the Y-chromosome, X-chromosome, and mitochondrial DNA. These markers are DNA mutations that occurred as humans migrated across the globe. The mutations are heritable and act as maps that make it easier for geneticists to track populations over time. The commercial tests placed my maternal side in the mtDNA haplogroup K and the Y-chromosome haplogroup II. My paternal side was placed in the mtDNA haplogroup U* and the Y-chromosome haplogroup R Ibl b2. Within the haplogroups there are more specific genetic markers that have been studied by other researchers but are not used by the commercial testing facilities. In order to answer more questions left unanswered by the commercial testing, the hypervariable region of my mitochondrial DNA was investigated for single nucleotide polymorphisms that correspond to very specific cultural groups.