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If you may have done genealogy for a long time and you have a lovely full family tree, then you're very fortunate. You likely don't have many questions that DNA can resolve. So, should you take a DNA test if you have a family tree that extends back many generations?
Why DNA Testing Is Important
DNA test results are a record of relationships. While lacking specific names, dates, and places, DNA test results compared to other DNA matches can attach genetic markers to specific individuals.
DNA can't be forged.
Even though the results may conflict with the documents we have, the DNA tests can prove our biological mother and father's identity.
Unlike any other record, DNA testing can help break down genealogy brick walls.
If we understand genetic genealogy research, we can combine test results with genealogical records to resolve family history questions.
To hear my complete thoughts, watch this video.
Will DNA Offer New Information to a Family Tree Built Out Over 6 Generations?
If you have built out your family tree past five, six, or seven generations, then DNA testing will likely not help you.
Why should I take a DNA test if I have a full family tree?
Your DNA test results, when shared, help to tie that DNA to all of those people in your tree.
This benefits other researchers who are missing branches or have no family tree, to begin with. These researchers are adoptees, genealogists with their own genealogy brick walls, and individuals who discover their record-based tree is not genetically accurate.
By testing and linking your DNA to your fabulous family tree, you have created an anchor point that somebody else who matches, can you.
We need people who have these great big, full family trees to take a DNA test. Because they provide these anchors of where these DNA comes from.
Adoptees may use your DNA to find other DNA matches. Where all of the DNA matches interest, that is a likely path of where they are related. This helps them find out who their other ancestors are.
The more of these anchor trees there are in the genetic genealogy databases, the greater the chance that people will be able to fill in their blank lines or start their family trees.
If you have a full tree, please take a DNA test and link your results to public trees on Family Tree DNA, MyHeritage, and Ancestry.
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The Main Reason To Take A DNA Test When You Have a Full Tree
By having your DNA tested and comparing the results with known relatives, you can validate your genealogical research. Your known relatives will likely be your first cousins, second, or third cousins.
One of the things that many people have found as they've done DNA testing is that their family tree is inaccurate. There was a father, grandfather, or great-grandfather, who they thought was their biological father but was not.
By taking a DNA test, you may find out different sections of your family tree are not biological branches. While they are still your family, you have another set of relatives to add to your tree.
Without having your DNA tested, you can not verify your genealogical research. You can not prove the relatives determined from records that indirectly suggested a relationship are yours.
Help Others Climb Their Trees By Taking a DNA Test
The main benefit of you taking a DNA test if your family tree stretches back for 6-10 generations is for other people. You'll tie your great family tree to a set of DNA. Your DNA matches can then discover they're related to you and the incredible ancestry you have uncovered.
To continue learning about DNA and Genealogy: