16 August 2019

DNA tests: connecting cousins


Genealogical DNA testing can often provide new leads, help to get around ‘brick walls’ which are blocking the road to tracking your ancestry, and even find unknown cousins.

I’ve found it very useful in tracking my own family history and it will probably help you in your quest too.

I also hope it will help a collective effort to find out the origin and present family links to Australia’s first documented Chinese migrant Mak Sai Pang.  See: The DNA search for ancestors of 麥世.

There are three types of DNA tests for family history:


  • Y-DNA Tests - Discover your heritage on your father's line. This is the one of for Mak males who might want to join the Mak project.
  • mtDNA Tests - Discover your heritage on your mother's line.
  • Family Finder Test - Family Finder is an autosomal DNA test that automatically finds your relatives within 5 generations. It works by comparing your DNA to the DNA of other users in the massive FTDNA database. Prepare for some surprises with this one.

Only one company provides all three - FamilyTreeDNA.

Not sure what test is best for you?


Post a question below in the comments area and I’ll try to help.