mtDNA and X-DNA Testing

mtDNA and X-DNA Testing

DNA tests used in geology include mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and autosomal DNA (atDNA). mtDNA is circular and maternally inherited.[1] atDNA covers the 22 pairs of chromosomes in the human genes. Chromosome DNA testing also comprises the twenty-third pair of human chromosomes that determines an individual’s sex. Males contain an XY pair, while females carry an XX pair. In males, the Y chromosome is inherited from the father and X from the mother. In females, one of the X chromosomes is from the father, and the other one is from the mother.

X-DNA Test

In the article, Figure 2 presents six lineages descending from Judith Watts. mtDNA testing revealed that individuals from the different lines had a mitochondrial value identical to Judith and that they were relatives of Judith.[2] Therefore, the last individuals in each line potentially possess X-DNA from their common ancestor, Judith. Subsequently, all of the test-takers in Figure 3 potentially have X-DNA from Judith. Additionally, significant matches of X-DNA values among the test takers would have been further utilized in the genealogical process to indicate evidence of a familial line.

mtDNA Testing Relevance

Based on all the evidence presented in the article, mtDNA testing was necessary to establish conclusions about Zilphy’s parentage. It was necessary to carry out mitochondrial as well as autosomal DNA testing to validate the non-DNA documentation that Zilphy’s parents were Judith and John Watts. These DNA tests provided significant ancestral matches that corresponded to the documented evidence.

In conclusion, mitochondrial and autosomal DNA testing present their importance and contributions in genealogical analysis, as seen in the article. These tests enable researchers to confirm the existence of umbilical lines presented in documentaries based on non-DNA evidence.

Bibliography

Giles, R. E., H. Blanc, H. M. Cann, and D. C. Wallace. 1980. “Maternal Inheritance of Human Mitochondrial DNA.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 77 (11): 6715-6719. doi:10.1073/pnas.77.11.6715.

Mills, Elizabeth Shown. 2014. “Testing the FAN Principle Against DNA: Zilphy (Watts) Price Cooksey Cooksey of Georgia and Mississippi”. National Genealogical Society Quarterly 102: 129-152. http://www.historicpathways.com/download/ZilphyArticle072915.pdf.

[1] R. E. Giles, H. Blanc, H. M. Cann, and D. C. Wallace, “Maternal Inheritance of Human Mitochondrial DNA.” (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1980), 77 (11): 6715-6719.

[2] Elizabeth Shown Mills, “Testing the FAN Principle Against DNA: Zilphy (Watts) Price Cooksey Cooksey of Georgia and Mississippi” (National Genealogical Society Quarterly, 2014), 102: 129-152.

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Discussion Question #1: How could X-DNA test results have been further utilized in this genealogical analysis? Looking at Figure 2 in the article, would all of the test-takers (the last individual listed in each line) potentially have X-DNA from the common ancestor (Judith) that could be compared?

mtDNA and X-DNA Testing

Looking at Figure 3 in the article, would all of the test-takers potentially have X-DNA from the common ancestor (Judith) that could be compared?
Discussion Question #2: Based on all the evidence presented in the article, was mtDNA testing necessary to establish the conclusions in the article, or would the non-DNA evidence presented have been sufficient on its own? Why or why not?
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