Best DNA Tests for Swedish Americans
What is the best DNA tests for Swedish Americans? A DNA test might be the missing piece you need to fill gaps in your ancestry research. By combining traditional paper trail genealogy with DNA testing you may uncover previously unknown branches of your family tree.
Three Types of DNA Tests
Before choosing a DNA test, it is essential to know the three main types of tests available:
- Autosomal DNA (atDNA)
- Y-DNA
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Each type of test serves a different purpose and is useful for various research goals. Below, we discuss their relevance to Swedish American genealogy
Autosomal DNA (atDNA)
Autosomal DNA testing is the most common and widely used test, including for those researching their Swedish American roots. It analyzes DNA from both parents and is excellent for those researching ancestors about 3 to 4 generations away. It can also be useful for researching ancestors up to 5 to 7 generations back. However, that far away it becomes more challenging to find distant cousins who share the same segment of DNA, and thereby also share a common ancestors with you.
In cases where only one branch of your family emigrated, Y-DNA testing can simplify the research process. Without the need to account for multiple paternal or maternal lines mixing over generations, the test focuses on one clear ancestral line. This makes it easier to pinpoint connections and verify your Swedish roots. It can be particularly helpful if you’re working with a limited paper trail or incomplete family records, which often happen with emigrant ancestors from the 19th or early 20th century.
Finding Very Distant Cousins Is Unlikely
If you are very lucky, you might find distant cousins with matching DNA from even a few more generations back than 7, but it is unlikely. The further back you go, the more distant and numerous the shared ancestors become, making it harder to pinpoint DNA connections. This is due to the way DNA is inherited, where individuals pass on approximately 50% of their DNA to their children. Additionally, there are typically few or no paper trails for ancestors that far back in time, unless your ancestor was a king or part of the nobility.
Y-DNA
The Y-DNA test can trace your paternal lineage (father’s father’s father’s…) over hundreds or even thousands of years. It focuses on the Y-chromosome, passed down from father to son and is therefore ideal for those looking to trace their paternal lineage over generations. Since the Y-DNA test can only be taken by males you either have to be a male to take it, or find a male to test that shares the line you would like to trace.
One of the most powerful aspects of Y-DNA testing is its ability to trace surnames over generations. Do you know your emigrated Swedish ancestor’s surname on a paternal line you want to research? Y-DNA can help confirm if other people with that surname in America or Sweden are related to you. Y-DNA may therefore be the best DNA test for Swedish Americans who want to fill a gap in their genealogy research
Tracing Surnames May Not Be Useful
Despite what was said above, tracing surnames may be of little use to those researching Swedish Americans. It was not very common for Swedes to have fixed surnames before the end of the 1800s. Swedes’ surnames used to be based on their fathers’ first name (patronymics). The surnames therefore changed from generation to generation.
Patronymics also resulted in members within the same family having different surnames (see the family in the image below). Y-DNA is still useful, even without surname matching, since it will show you others who have tested that you share a paternal line with.
Mitrochondial DNA (MtDNA)
Mitochondrial DNA testing provides a unique way to trace direct maternal ancestry, as it is passed from mother to child with little change over generations. Since mothers pass it down to all her children, anyone can take the test. Because MtDNA mutates very seldom and only slightly over time, it is a powerful tool for deep ancestry research. Such tests can reveal maternal lineage connections stretching back thousands of years.
Since the MtDNA testing focuses exclusively on individual’s maternal line (mother’s mother’s mother’s…), you need to find a relative to test on that line or take the test yourself if it is your line. MtDNA is an excellent tool for confirming maternal family connections. However, tracing women can still be challenging due to surname changes when marrying and the Swedish tradition of patronymics.
Tracing Emigrants Through Maternal Lines
MtDNA can be especially useful if only one branch of your family emigrated to America and that branch is your direct maternal line. This is particularly helpful when dealing with a limited paper trail or incomplete family records. This is often the case for emigrant ancestors from the 19th or early 20th century. mtDNA can also be useful if you find someone to test who belongs to a direct maternal line of interest in your family tree, even if it is not your own.
Best DNA Testing for Swedish Americans: Which Company?
There are several companies that offer DNA testing, each with its own strengths. In an upcoming blog I will share my thoughts on which ones could advance your Swedish American family research.
Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna
Links
