Vocabulary List
The below table gives some basic terms that you will encounter in the course of learning about genetic genealogy. I recommend the International Society of Genetic Genealogists Wiki as well, and have provided a link below to each article, when available. It's best that you don't try to memorize these terms on flashcards--we will practice them in our beginners tutorial, so that we get to know these terms more intimately. We want to be able to have conversations about these words--then we know we have learned them!
I have categorized the terms to help you find related words more quickly. If you are interested in using particular tools or methodologies, I recommend looking at my methodology and workflow pages.
| Term | Category | Definition | ISOGG Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromosome | Biology | A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes. | Link |
| Autosomal DNA | Biology | The first 22 chromosomes of human DNA, which exclude the sex chromosomes, X and Y. | Link |
| X-DNA | Biology | A sex chromosome that men and women can pass down to their children. Because men must pass a y-chromosome to their sons, no X-chromosome is passed from fathers to sons. Eventually a unique pattern of inheritance will emerge. See also: X-DNA Inheritence. The X-chromosome is not very SNP dense, and so even though it can be painted just like the autosomes, we need to use caution when interpreting the X chromosome--more errors are likely. | Link |
| Y-DNA | Biology | A sex chromosome that is possessed only by men, and thus is passed only from father to son. Because the Y-chromosome is SNP poor, this chromosome is not able to be painted with DNA Painter. The key pieces of information gleaned from the Y-chromosomoe is the haplogroup. One of the earliest and most popular forms of DNA testing was utilizing Y-haplogroups. Because of this, many people still believe that DNA testing is a male-only affair. Thankfully, because of autosomal and mitochondrial testing, this is no longer the case. See also: Y-haplogroups | Link |
| DNAGedcom | Software | A software application, available for both PC and Mac that allows one to scan test data from the major testing sites and compile a database from the data. This data can be used to cluster or paint in DNA Painter, depending on the data offered by the testing company. | Link |
| Endogamy | Family Trees | The practice of marrying within a close social group, usually an ethnicity, religion, or geographical distinction. Commonly known endogamous groups include Ashkenazi Jews, Acadians, Newfoundland and Laborador, Iceland, and Polynesians. Other groups exist as well--risk factors include religious minorities and geographic isolation. If you feel that you may be in an endogamous group, see the dedicated page on endogamy to learn more about how this changes your strategy for DNA Painter. | Link |