How It Works
TRACE YOUR DNA FIND YOUR ROOTS.
Using the power of DNA and the most comprehensive database of indigenous African genetic sequences in existence, African Ancestry is the ONLY company that can trace your ancestry back to a specific present-day African country and ethnic group of origin dating back more than 500 years ago. If the results are from another continent, that information will be provided.
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HERE’S HOW IT WORKS
We each carry in our DNA a series of indicators that provide information about our ancestry. This information is passed from generation to generation and can tell a profound story about where we come from, and highlight our connections to modern-day Africa.
YOUR DNA
Depending on which test you purchase, we analyze either the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that you inherited from your mother, the Y chromosome that men inherit from their fathers or autosomal DNA that you inherit from both parents. A simple swab from inside your cheek is all we need to begin the process.
YOUR FAMILY TREE
You share information within the genes we extract that is unchanged through every branch of your family tree. In other words, we identify the unique fingerprint that you share with your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and so on along a single lineage.
YOUR HISTORY
Utilizing pioneering genetic scientific methods, we look closely for markers or mutations that indicate where in the world your ancestry is found. If your genes indicate Africa, we then compare them to the world’s largest database of African lineages to determine the present-day African country and ethnic group with which you share maternal or paternal ancestry.
YOUR ROOTS
Discovering your roots is an important and truly emotional experience. Once your ancestry has been determined, we provide information about your country of origin so that you can begin to re-connect with your roots. We also provide access to an exclusive online community of others who have also started the journey to find their true identity.
Your genetic information is kept completely confidential. Every sample is identified by a bar code and the lab destroys the sample upon completion. No personal information is shared with or sold to any third parties.
DISCOVER YOUR MATERNAL AND PATERNAL LINEAGE
With our MatriClan™ Test Kit, a simple swab will reveal your African country of origin and ethnic group on your mother’s maternal line. Our test reveals your mother’s maternal roots from 500 - 2,000 years ago.
The MatriClan™ Test traces maternal ancestry by analyzing the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) women and men inherit exclusively from their mothers. Men AND women can take this test.
In fact, you share the same mtDNA as your mother, grandmother, great grandmother and so on. Therefore, your results are the same for your siblings, maternal aunts and uncles, maternal cousins, etc.
Your results are also the same for your children and your daughter’s children.
With our PatriClan™ Test Kit, a simple swab will reveal your African country of origin and ethnic group on your father’s paternal line. Our test reveals your father’s paternal roots from 500 - 2,000 years ago.
The PatriClan™ Test traces paternal ancestry by analyzing the Y chromosome men inherit exclusively from their fathers.
Since only men carry a Y chromosome, women CANNOT take the PatriClan™ Test. But luckily, women may trace their paternal lineage by having a male relative from their father’s side take the test for them.
The results of his PatriClan™ Test will be the same for his father, grandfather, children, siblings, brother’s children, paternal aunts and uncles, etc.
