BCG BCG DNA & Genetic Genealogy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of DNA test is most useful for tracing a direct paternal line in genealogical research?
- Autosomal DNA
- Y-DNA (Correct answer)
- Mitochondrial DNA
- X-DNA
Correct answer: Y-DNA
Y-DNA is passed almost unchanged from father to son, making it ideal for tracing direct paternal lineage.
Question 2: What does the term 'segment triangulation' refer to in genetic genealogy?
- Comparing mitochondrial haplogroups
- Confirming that three or more matches share identical DNA segments on the same chromosome region from a common ancestor (Correct answer)
- Measuring the total length of shared autosomal DNA
- Identifying X-DNA inheritance patterns
Correct answer: Confirming that three or more matches share identical DNA segments on the same chromosome region from a common ancestor
Segment triangulation confirms a shared DNA segment among three or more testers traces back to the same ancestral source.
Question 3: Which BCG standard requires that DNA evidence be corroborated by documentary evidence when making identity claims?
- The Genealogical Proof Standard (Correct answer)
- The Reasonably Exhaustive Research Standard
- The Source Citation Standard
- The Client Disclosure Standard
Correct answer: The Genealogical Proof Standard
The Genealogical Proof Standard requires that all evidence, including DNA, be corroborated and conflicts resolved before conclusions are accepted.
Question 4: What is a 'centimorgan' (cM) used to measure in genetic genealogy?
- The number of generations between two relatives
- The length of shared DNA segments between two individuals (Correct answer)
- The mutation rate of mitochondrial DNA
- The number of SNPs tested on a microarray
Correct answer: The length of shared DNA segments between two individuals
A centimorgan measures the length of shared DNA segments, with higher values generally indicating a closer relationship.
Question 5: Which DNA testing company database is the largest, providing the most matches for genealogical research as of recent years?
- 23andMe
- FamilyTreeDNA
- AncestryDNA (Correct answer)
- MyHeritage DNA
Correct answer: AncestryDNA
AncestryDNA has the largest consumer DNA database, offering the greatest number of potential matches for genealogical research.
Question 6: In BCG-level research, how should a genealogist handle a DNA match that contradicts documented pedigree relationships?
- Discard the DNA evidence as unreliable
- Accept the DNA evidence and discard documentary evidence
- Analyze both sources, resolve the conflict using additional evidence, and document the reasoning (Correct answer)
- Report the discrepancy only to the client and not in the formal report
Correct answer: Analyze both sources, resolve the conflict using additional evidence, and document the reasoning
BCG standards require resolving conflicting evidence by gathering additional sources and documenting the analytical process transparently.
BCG BCG DNA & Genetic Genealogy 1
Which type of DNA test is most useful for tracing a direct paternal line in genealogical research?