Craig's Genealogy Services

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Serving the West Michigan community by researching, documenting and preserving the story of your family for you and the generations to come and specializing in the use of DNA testing to find biological family members.

02/20/2025

Autosomal DNA

All humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, each pair is made up of one chromosome from each parent. Twenty-two pairs are called autosomes and the other pair is the s*x chromosome (X and Y). Autosomal DNA is typically what is used to determine whether or not one person is related to another and how closely. Since the chromosomes come from both parents, it is possible to find relatives on both sides of the family. It can also be used to help determine genetic health traits and possible health issues but this should only be used in conjunction with medical professionals. Decisions about your health should not be made based on DNA testing alone.

Autosomal DNA tests can reliably determine relatives going back about 5 or 6 generations. Going back farther than that is possible but the relationship between two individuals (how closely they are related) becomes much harder to determine. Even for close relatives it may not be clear exactly how someone is related to you. For example: Half siblings would share approximately 25% of each other's DNA. A Grandparent / Grandchild relationship would also share approximately 25% of each other's DNA. This test will show how closely you are related but not the exact relationship.

When you take a DNA test, you will need to interpret the results to determine how each match is related to you. Understanding relationship percentages, knowing as much as possible about the family tree and understanding how to locate and interpret genealogical data are key for using DNA testing to build a genealogy and a family history.

01/26/2025

Mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA is passed on through the Mother to both her male and female descendants. This portion of your DNA is identical to your Mother and can be used to learn about your female ancestors, study human origins and diseases and even to help solve historical murder cases.

01/19/2025

DNA contains all of the commands your cells use to create you. DNA is inherited from your ancestors and the unique blend that you have received from your parents will only create you. In other words, when you were born, the mold was broken and there will never be another you.

One portion of a male's DNA is known as y-DNA. Your y-DNA is identical to your Father's y-DNA and to his Father's, etc. There are some slight mutations over generations that will obscure a shared ancestry. It is usually possible to identify a shared ancestry going back a few thousand years before the y-DNA becomes too diluted to tell.

y-DNA is also broken down into Haplogroups. These are groups that identify broad ancestral populations without identifying specific familial relationships. Haplogroups can connect men with their ancestral groups going back thousands of years.

Merry Christmas!!!
12/25/2024

Merry Christmas!!!

12/13/2024

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

We are God's handiwork, His masterpiece. He created us to be exactly what and who He wants us to be. By studying our family history, we can learn what events led to us becoming who we are. Our ancestors, over many generations, came from all over the world, were shaped by different cultures and were honed by the events of their lives. All of this lead to you.

Take a journey into the past and explore the rich history that ultimately leads to you. See what God has done and see what God is doing in your life today to shape and mold the next generation of your family. Your history is His story.

Here's a chart from Pinterest that may help you understand what to call those more distant relatives of yours.
12/01/2024

Here's a chart from Pinterest that may help you understand what to call those more distant relatives of yours.

12/01/2024

Were you put up for adoption and wondering where you may have come from? Do you have questions about why you were placed into foster care and what events may have led up to that decision? Have you been curious about or looking for your biological family?

By combining DNA test results with genealogical research, many of your biological family members can be located.

I can explain how DNA testing works, what can and can't be learned from a DNA test, help you choose which test is best for you and help you understand your DNA test results. Most importantly, I can help you locate your biological family and, in doing so, find answers to many of your questions.

If you want answers either send me a message through Messenger or call (231)747-0664.

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Hudsonville, MI

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