I just got my results back from the National Geographic Genographic Project, which I paid good money to be a part of. The project uses either Y-chromosome DNA from guys or mitochondrial DNA from gals to determine the migration routes of man from man's original origin in east Africa to pre-colonial times. The route analysis is done by testing the remains at historical sites across the globe, and then comparing the sites to one another. And so, for a medium sized fee, you can get DNA from your cheek tissue ripped apart and looked at by a trained professional to acquire fairly irrefutable proof as to your true genetic relation to the world.
I was a little surprised with how things turned out. I'm part of Haplogroup "I" which, genetically, is concentrated in central and southeastern Europe, especially the Balkans. This is interesting since on my dad's side of the family tree, all the males have been Swedish. Supposedly the sporatic spread of this genetic marker may have been due to a Celtic expansion across Europe halfway through the first millenium AD.
Interesting stuff nonetheless.

posted by Brett @ Sunday, February 12, 2006