DNA: A Solution for Tracing Elusive Immigrant Origins - PriceGen

At some time or another, most American genealogists encounter difficulties trying to trace ancestors’ immigrant origins. It is necessary to pinpoint an exact birthplace (such as a town or village) in Europe to forge a genealogical link across the ocean. Officials created few records to document the origins of transatlantic migrants and only a fraction have survived. Chances for success improve after the year 1820, when keeping passenger arrival records became compulsory; however, tracing nineteenth- and twentieth-century immigrant origins also has its own share of difficulties. Fortunately, advances in DNA research are solving some of these problems and provide new hope for formerly closed cases.

Understanding DNA Testing

If you are familiar with breakthroughs in using genetic evidence to solve family history riddles, this paragraph will be a review for you. DNA testing allows two people, usually with the same surname, to determine if they share a common ancestor. Testing currently costs from $200 to $300 for each participant. You would want to have at least two men tested (only men can be tested because women do not inherit the section of DNA from their father that is useful for genealogy). Having the test made is a simple procedure. You simply rub a swab on the inside of your mouth and send it in to a laboratory in a preservative liquid. From this simple specimen, geneticists are able to produce a string of numbers that can be compared with other participants. If the numbers match, it is because you and the comparative individual descend from a common ancestor. The two main US commercial companies that offer these services are Family Tree DNA and Relative Genetics. Both maintain informative web sites that provide detailed explanations of their products.

DNA to the Rescue

So how can DNA help you to trace your immigrant origins? First, it must be pointed out that this is not a simple task and is easier for persons with less-common surnames. It only works for studying male immigrants. If you and another person with a like surname, in say France, are tested, and find out that you are related, the testing companies cannot tell you how that you are related, just that you are related. Determining how requires traditional genealogical research in written sources.

Steps to Take

Here are the steps to take in order to trace immigrant origins through DNA and traditional genealogical research:

1. Save up a reserve of at least $1000 to $1500 to spend on DNA testing. Many family organizations ask for contributions from their members to finance these tests.
2. Select a DNA testing company that can be used indefinitely, as different companies’ results are not always comparable and the project will likely continue for many years to come.
3. Find a man who is living that is a direct patrilineal descendant of the immigrant ancestor (i.e., shares the same surname as the immigrant) who is willing to have his DNA examined.
4. Firmly document your ancestry back to the immigrant through traditional genealogical research.
5. Have descendants from other sons of the immigrant tested to ensure that no illegitimacies or surname changes occurred in your line of descent, which would thwart objectives.
6. Formulate a general idea of where in Europe that a person most likely originated. Were they from England, Wales, Italy, Russia, etc.? DNA testing will not work for most surnames in countries that used patronymics such as Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Wales. A fixed hereditary surname is required for success.
7. Determine how common this surname is in the old country. Learn about that surnames’ history and geographic distribution, particularly during the time period when your ancestor emigrated (for more on this technique read Localize Your Surname with Distribution Maps).
8. Try to determine how many different branches of this family flourished in that country and begin tracing each of their lines.
9. Track down living patrilineal male descendants of each branch of families using this surname or similar variants in the old country. If your family originated in the British Isles or France, for example, where genealogy is very popular, you will likely be able to coordinate your efforts with foreign genealogists who can help you find living cousins to participate in DNA testing.
10. Have a descendant of each separate family with that surname in the old country tested, to determine if they are all kin, or to identify unrelated groups.  Determining who doesn’t match reduces the size of the haystack you will need to search.
11. Compare the American DNA results with the foreign DNA results.
12. When a match is found, concentrate traditional genealogical research efforts on families you have proven are your European cousins. You will eventually forge a link with Europe and place your immigrant ancestor back in his birth family. Hopefully then you will be able to extend your pedigree back many generations in your documented place of origin.

For enthusiasts who are willing to invest time and money, old genealogical obstacles are now being overturned by DNA testing.