Celebrity Genealogy      Research - My Family

Tracing My Paternal Lineage Through Y-DNA Testing with Family Tree DNA

While autosomal DNA testing is an excellent place to begin your genetic genealogy journey, it analyzes a mix of all your DNA — the genetic material inherited from both your mother and father. This makes it useful for identifying a wide range of relatives but less effective for tracing a single ancestral line in detail.

For men, an additional test called the Y-DNA test provides deeper insights into your direct paternal lineage. Unlike autosomal DNA, Y-DNA is passed exclusively from father to son, making it a powerful tool for tracing your male ancestry back through generations. Because females have two X chromosomes (XX) and no Y chromosome, this specific test is only available to males.

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Why I Chose the Y-DNA Test

After researching various options, I decided to take a Y-DNA test with Family Tree DNA (FTDNA). Although the test is more expensive than basic autosomal kits, it offers unparalleled accuracy in confirming your direct male lineage.

In my case, the results confirmed that my great-grandfather was Herbert Granville Clarke. My Y-DNA results matched those of a newly discovered cousin — a direct male descendant of Herbert. If Herbert had not been my great-grandfather, our Y-DNA would not have matched.

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Exploring My Y-DNA Results

With confirmation of my paternal link to Herbert Granville Clarke, I explored what else my Y-DNA could reveal. Family Tree DNA offers a database similar to AncestryDNA, allowing you to find and connect with genetic matches based on your results.

You can also upload your raw DNA data from other testing services (like AncestryDNA or 23andMe) to Family Tree DNA to expand your chances of finding genetic relatives. Simply put — the more databases you explore, the more potential family connections you can discover.

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Understanding Y-DNA Testing Levels

Family Tree DNA offers several levels of Y-DNA testing, ranging from 37 markers to 111 markers. Each “marker” represents a unique location on your Y chromosome that can reveal additional detail about your paternal ancestry.

I opted for the 67-marker test, as it provides more information than the 37-marker option without the higher cost of the 111-marker test.

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The Testing Process

The Y-DNA test process differs slightly from the AncestryDNA test. The Family Tree DNA kit includes a small cheek scraper, which you use to collect cells from the inside of both cheeks. The samples are then placed into a vial with preservative, sealed, and mailed to FTDNA’s U.S. laboratory for processing.

Note that Family Tree DNA does not include prepaid postage, so you’ll need to mail the kit yourself. Results typically take about six weeks to process, after which you’ll receive an email notification to view your results online.

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My Results and What I Learned

When my results arrived, they confirmed my match with my cousin and provided a detailed look at my male ancestral line, tracing back through my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. This information allowed me to begin separating my paternal and maternal DNA lines, helping me better understand the genetic makeup of each branch of my family.

My cousin also recommended that I join several Family Tree DNA research groups dedicated to Y-DNA analysis. These groups provided additional context and confirmed that I am descended from two prominent family groups in the United Kingdom — the Irvines of Southwest Scotland and the Bradleys of England.

This insight may eventually help us uncover more about Herbert Clarke’s origins in England, where records have been scarce.

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Continuing the Search

For now, both my cousin and I have left our Y-DNA data public on Family Tree DNA, hoping another male relative with shared ancestry will test and help us extend our family tree. Perhaps that person will have more detailed family records, giving us the missing pieces to our ancestral puzzle.

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Final Thoughts

As with all genealogical research, uncovering your ancestry requires patience, persistence, and a bit of luck. Y-DNA testing with Family Tree DNA has been an invaluable part of my journey — confirming my paternal line, connecting me with new relatives, and deepening my understanding of where my family came from.