How can I ensure that my DNA test includes Native American connection? Rector-1820

Question

I had my DNA tested in Oct 2016 by FTDNA and it states that I'm 100% European, to include 7% Finland and Northern Siberia. Can I be absolutely certain that I have no Native American DNA? Should I have another DNA test done for the purpose of Native American connection?

Comments

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This what the American Indian Project at FTDNA says:

The Native American DNA Sequence is available for both males and females.

For males, you can test for Native American ancestry in either your direct paternal (father's) or direct maternal (mother's) line of ancestors. For females, you can only test for native american ancestry in your direct matrilineal line. 

The Y Chromosome is tested for the male Native American DNA Sequence. For the female Native American DNA Sequence, mtDNA is tested. 

Everyone can test their autosomal DNA to see if they have some percentage of Native American ancestry utilizing the Family Finder test, but that test will not tell you in which line your Native Ancestry is found  

You can read more about proving your Native American ancestry at this link:  http://dna-explained.com/2012/12/18/proving-native-american-ancestry-using-dna/

This project is open to people who have proven Native Ancestry via genetics or via traditional genealogy  You will be asked for your genealogy or Native connection prior to joining. 

I strongly recommend that you subscribe to the free blog, www.dna-explained.com - announcements regarding DNA sales and other things of interest will be made there to avoid sending repeat messages to multiple groups  You may also be interested in the blog, www.nativeheritageproject.com.

Co-Administrator Biography:

https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/american-indian/about/background#:~:text=About%20us&text=The%20Native%20American%20DNA%20Sequence,in%20your%20direct%20matrilineal%20line.

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Thank you.

Answer 1

DNA is best for connecting you to people, not to identifying ethnicities.  Different companies use different reference panels and evaluate your ethnicity in slightly different ways, but if you have a measurable amount of Native American DNA it should show up regardless of which company you test with.  If you believe you are the direct female descendant of a Native American woman a mitochondrial DNA test can probably confirm that.  Companies that claim to connect you with a specific tribe are not actually able to do that.  DNA cannot connect you to a specific tribe unless it shows that you are closely related to someone who is a citizen of a tribe.  

The way to find a Native American ancestor is the same way you would find any other ancestor.  Build your tree back with documentation as far as you can go.  

If you have documented a direct ancestor who lived at a time and in a place where there were Native Americans, then search for a connection.

Comments

Thank you.

Answer 2

You either have no Native ancestry, or a Native ancestor so far back (say 1690s) that the DNA has "washed out" so to speak. This is not unusual. We see posts like this on G2G and especially on the genetic genealogy forum I'm apart of constantly. Many Americans have a family story of an "Indian" ancestor who, simply put, is a myth.

Cherokee blood: Why do so many Americans believe they have Cherokee ancestry? (slate.com) There's a good article on Slate about this phenomenon. 

Comments

Thank you.

Answer 3

You may well have native American ancestors, but just didn't get their DNA  I have known 4th cousins I don't share DNA with - it is all random so it is really impossible to know for certain unless you know they were close family.