Good news for those of you thinking about participating in the Bahamas DNA Project, or looking for unique Christmas gift ideas for family and friends (Bahamian or not.) Family Tree DNA test kits are on sale from now until December 31.
Since Family Tree DNA sells a number of different test kits, Peter Roberts of the Bahamas DNA Project offers the following guidance for Bahamians wishing to be tested:
“It would be helpful if anyone with any Bahamian ancestry ordered a Family Finder test for $99 (but don’t count on the included $100 Restaurant.com coupon due to poor reviews I see of Restaurant.com).
If you are male (and your direct paternal line is from the Bahamas) I recommend the Y-DNA37 test for $119, but e-mail me at peterebay@yahoo.com to be sure you don’t retest an already tested direct paternal line.
For males or females, if your direct maternal line is from the Bahamas (and we determine you belong to an untested direct maternal line) I recommend you order the mtDNAPlus test for $49 (but you will need to phone in your mtDNAPlus order at (713) 868-1438 because it is not listed during this sale period).”
While everyone with Bahamian heritage is encouraged to participate, the Bahamas DNA Project is especially interested in having Bahamians of African, Chinese, Greek, Lebanese and Native American ancestry tested. For more information, visit the Bahamas DNA Project’s website, their Facebook page, or the Bahamas DNA Project Page on the Family Tree DNA website.
NOTE: You do not have to be Bahamian to purchase/use Family Tree DNA kits. These tests will provide information about your lineage, regardless of where your ancestors come from. (I should also mention that, aside from being a happy customer, I’m not affiliated with Family Tree DNA in any way.)
What about Bahamian females who want to discover both the maternal and paternal lineage
Hi, Penelope. Thanks for your question.
The family finder test will tell you about all your overall heritage — maternal and paternal. I believe the challenge is that, unless one or both of your parents is also tested, you don’t necessarily know from which parent the different traits and genes were inherited.
The Y-DNA test traces the father’s father’s father’s (and so on) DNA. If you have a brother, he could do this test and this would trace your father’s side. Though both daughters and sons inherit mtDNA from their mothers, only daughters pass it on, so the mtDNA test traces your mother’s mother’s mother’s (and so on) mother.
At least, that’s how I understand it. The best person to advise you would be Peter Roberts of the Bahamas DNA Project. He can recommend the best test(s) to achieve your objectives. Why not drop him an email at peterebay@yahoo.com?