• Introduction to Molecular Genealogy
• Family Tree
• DNA Testing
• Your DNA
• Mitochondrial DNA
• Y Chromosome DNA
• Autosomal DNA
• X Chromosome DNA
• Haplogroups
• Mutation and Haplotypes
• Putting it all together
• How to use a DNA kit
• Understanding your results

Haplogroups

A haplogroup is a group of people who share a specific mutation or series of mutations that link those individuals to a common ancestor. A mutation that defines a haplogroup occurs infrequently throughout history, and therefore is thought to be a unique event when it happens. The mutation is then passed to following generations for thousands of years thereby connecting the members of the haplogroup by common descent.

Over time haplogroups can often become associated with certain geographically or ethnically defined populations due to historical and environmental forces that have shaped the haplogroup’s distribution. Haplogroups can therefore be used to determine geographic origins of your ancestors.