DNA testing can also be a useful tool in genealogy. More and more commercial providers offer various tests, which can ultimately be divided into three main groups:
Autosomal DNA (atDNA) Autosomal DNA tests the entire DNA and allows us to find common ancestors up to about 5 generations back. Autosomal DNA tests are very affordable (around 80 EUR, and down to 30 EUR when there are discounts). Some basic tests already determine, in addition to autosomal DNA, the basic Y-DNA haplogroup, but for a more precise one, a Big-Y test (a more expensive test) is required.
Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) The Y-chromosome is passed only from father to son, which is why it determines the so-called paternal line. Through it, we can trace common ancestors from a few hundred years ago all the way back to prehistory. FamilySearchDNA offers several Y-DNA tests: Y-37, Y-67, Y-11, which examine STR repetitions, or Big-Y 700, which tests SNP in addition to STR. At FamilyTreeDNA, they cost from 100-400 EUR. For the most accurate picture, the Big-Y test is recommended.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Mitochondrial DNA is passed from mother to all children, but only a female passes it on to her descendants. Therefore, mitochondrial DNA determines the so-called maternal line, and just like with the paternal line, we can look at the path of our ancestors from several centuries before us all the way back to prehistory. Mitochondrial DNA tests at FamilyTreeDNA cost from 100-150 EUR.
I personally did all tests at FamilyTreeDNA.com, which is the only one that offers all the above-mentioned tests, and the Slovenian Genealogical Society also has a project there, Slovensko poreklo (Slovenian Origin), which is intended for all people who have completed the tests and have at least one Slovenian ancestor to join.
The results of this project are also displayed on the page dnk.rodoslovje.si
