information about dna testing

> DON’T DO IT if you are not prepared to find sometimes unpleasant surprises!  

> Genealogical testing is a tool to augment traditional research, not a battering ram for brick walls. It is possible to find a parent or sibling, but most often DNA matches simply open further research avenues for continuing research.

> Ethnicity Estimates are ESTIMATES!

> CHECK THESE OUT:

This short NPR article provides excellent insight:               https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2016/02/12/466379200/can- you-tell-your-ethnic-identity-from-your-dna

This Vox video about what DNA testing can and cannot tell you is also very informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIWlatQt4KE  

There are several great DNA testing companies. The most notable companies are:

> AncestryDNA 

> Family Tree DNA 

> 23andMe 

> MyHeritage 

> AfricanAncestry  

Many descendants of Charles and Hester Meehan have tested with AncestryDNA and 23andMe. I have found more Freeman and Anderson family connections through Ancestry.

> Autosomal DNA Test

> y-DNA Test

> mtDNA Test

> Genetic DNA Tests

> DNA Paternity Testing

This topic has been in the spotlight for the past few years, especially in light of decades-old police cold cases that are being solved with the use of genealogical DNA databases. Understand what this could mean for you before you mail that sample off. The following article is one of many on the subject.

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/02/20/dna-databases-are-boon-to-police-but-menace-to-privacy-critics-say