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The Genetic Genealogist

Adding DNA to the Genealogist's Toolbox

DNA Collection Project in South Africa

September 17th, 2007 in DNA Databases, DNA in the News |

Dr. Wilmot James, head of the African Genome Project and honorary professor of human genetics at the University of Cape Town, is heading a DNA collection project in South Africa. Dr. James is joined by his colleague Himla Soodyall, a scientist at the National Health Laboratory Service and an associate professor in the Division of Human Genetics at the University of Witwatersrand. On September 9th, James and Soodyall collected swab samples from a number of Capetonians.

The African Genome Project is supported by the South African genealogy website Ancestry24.com (although I was not able to find any information there). One of the goals of the project is to create a public genetic database to examine “how the country became populated over thousands of years” by filling in the gap in current DNA databases.

According to Dr. James:

“No one group can lay claim to South Africa. Everyone is a settler, and we will show how people came here in waves of migration.”

The results are due out in early 2008.

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4 Responses to “ DNA Collection Project in South Africa ”

  1. # 1 Wendy Says:
    September 11th, 2008 at 9:08 am

    I would like to know where or how I can be tested. I am a 3rd/4th generation South African on my fathers side and 3rd generation on my mother’s side. My maternal great-grandparent were from Holland, but I’m not too sure of my father’s maternal ancestry.

    Many thanks
    Wendy

  2. # 2 Blaine Bettinger Says:
    September 12th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    Wendy,

    I would recommend starting out with a Y-DNA or mtDNA test. Since you are a woman, you cannot do the Y-DNA test, but you could ask your father or a brother or uncle to take the test.

    Since you are interested in your father’s maternal ancestry, you could ask him to take an mtDNA test.

    Remember that genetic genealogy will not automatically give you a family tree (especially mtDNA, which mutates slower and is less useful for general genealogical purposes). Genetic genealogy is always best when used with traditional genealogical techniques.

  3. # 3 Jessuina Says:
    October 25th, 2008 at 11:33 am

    Hi im interestd in doing a DNA test just 2 see how mxit up i am lol. Im a coulerd u see.Apparenty im mxit with zulus,portugues shangane…. Yes therz lots more.I would like 2 knw how much % of DNA I hav 4rm the diffent races.But i dnt hav a clue on were to go and how much it costs. I live in jhb so a place nearby wld be great. Id also like 2 knw hw i can trace family members using surnames or if there are S.A marrage nd birth records on the web.And if there are could you reffer sum 2me.Thanx

  4. # 4 Jessuina Says:
    October 25th, 2008 at 11:35 am

    Hi im interestd in doing a DNA test just 2 see how mxit up i am lol. Im a coulerd u see.Apparenty im mxit with zulus,portugues shangane…. Yes therz lots more.I would like 2 knw how much % of DNA I hav 4rm the diffent races.But i dnt hav a clue on were to go and how much it costs. I live in jhb so a place nearby wld be great. Id also like 2 knw hw i can trace family members using surnames or if there are S.A marrage nd birth records on the web.And if there are could you reffer sum 2me.Thank u very much

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    The Genetic Genealogist examines the intersection of traditional genealogical techniques and modern genetic research. The blog also explores the latest news and developments in the related field of personal genomics. To learn more about me or about genetic genealogy, please explore the site.
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