Engle Genealogy DNA

Have you tested your DNA?

Genetic genealogy combines DNA testing with genealogical and historical records, DNA testing can help us to break down walls in our ENGLE family research. We don’t know who Levi Engle’s (1757-1819/20) parents are, wife Nancy’s maiden name, or Michael Engle’s (1777-1854) parents. We continue to diligently search for source documentation. However it is possible that documentation may never be located, may be lost or maybe never existed. DNA may be the only key to unlocking these mysteries.

In a nut shell, Autosomal DNA tests can help identify individuals with whom you share one or more common ancestors in past generations. Collecting a DNA sample simply requires you to buy a test kit and provide a saliva sample . Simply mail to the DNA testing company with the enclosed mailer. We have provided contact information for the most frequently used genealogy testing companies for your convenience. (We don’t receive anything in return).

So, what are you made of?

These tests often go on sale for 40%-50% off. Some are for the sole purpose of genealogy and some provide additional health info. Some provide specific information on specific chromosome matches and some do not. When doing a DNA test it is important to read carefully the privacy information. Do you want to allow the company to share your DNA (without your personal information attached) with research companies or do you prefer to opt out of this? Do you want your DNA information kept or destroyed by the company? How much of the information do you want to allow others to access? You have many ways to keep this information private but you must read the privacy information.

What will my DNA test reveal about my family history?

DNA Testing Helps Navigate Through Brick Walls

All the DNA tests will provide you a list of close relatives and cousins who you share DNA with. It is a lot of fun to connect with cousins, near and far, closely related and distantly related. You may even unearth hidden family secrets, or knock down some old family brick walls you have been researching. The larger the testing company the number of matching cousins increases. It is also advantageous to test at more than one company to increase your chances of making connections. Some companies allow you to transfer DNA from or to other companies. The information the testing company provides is also important. Ancestry DNA is the largest database and it provides access to many family trees, often making it easier to figure out a connection. It does not provide health information or specific information on where the chromosomes match. 23 &Me, Family Tree DNA, and My Heritage DNA provide details on where your chromosomes match. This is important if you want to later do Chromosome mapping. Once you look at a specific DNA connection with a cousin you can work on figuring out who your most recent common ancestors are (MRCA). The DNA you share came from this particular set of ancestors. It is recommended that you note in each great grandparents file the persons who you have a DNA match with where this is your MRCA (most recent common ancestor). Note the size of the match and your relationship. Having this validates your family research and that you are researching the correct family line.

Chromosome mapping – What are you made of and who did you inherit it from?

If you test with 23 &Me, Family Tree DNA or My Heritage your test result will provide you with information on not only who your cousin matches are but also specific chromosome match information. Maybe you match on several chromosomes but one of the matches is on Chromosome 5 between 10,500cm – 25,250 cm. You can then say that that specific chromosome segment was inherited from a specific gr grandparent or set of gr grandparents. You can use a spreadsheet to track your specific chromosome matches or you can use a free program like Chromosome painter to track and record your matches. This allows you to graphically see who you inherited your genes from.

A program like gedmatch.com is also available to allow you to search another database of persons looking for persons who have that same specific matching piece of chromosome.