Common Male Ancestor Testing

Common Male Ancestor Testing (for males only) also known as Y-chromosome testing will provide you with an analysis of 26 genetic markers that are passed from male descendent to male descendent. These markers were selected because they remain identical (or identical with only 1 difference) for 500 generations almost without exception. If your Common Male Ancestor Test and another man's Common Male Ancestor Test are identical then you share a common male ancestor. Your genetic information is referenced with current Y-chromosome Haplogroup plus archaeological information sources to provide a description of the origins of your paternal line. Visit our sample report page.

Your Common Male Ancestor Test will include a certificate listing your genetic differences, your haplogroup, a description highlighting interesting scientific and archaeological information relating to your haplogroup, and literature links. This test is often used to compare two males with the same or similar surnames to see if they are from the same paternal line. We provide a list of resources with your results that will enable you to find your "genetic cousins", men that share your genetic markers and are therefore related to you.

According to genetic theory, all humans descend from a man nicknamed "African Adam." This unknown man lived in Africa approximately 59,000 years ago, about 85,000 years after our common female ancestor, "African Eve." Other men of his time certainly left sons and grandsons, but African Adam was the only man in his generation whose descendants in the male line are still living today. Descendants of African Adam and African Eve left eastern Africa about 50,000 years ago. One group left Africa and spread via a coastal route to India, Siberia and eventually arriving in America. The other group moved into Asia Minor about 45,000 years ago.

Geneticists divide African Adam's descendants into haplogroups popularly called "clans" to make the subject easier for lay people to understand. Different types of Y-STR patterns correspond to different haplogroups. Currently, there are only 18 major haplogroups. The global distribution of these Y Chromosome Haplogroups is shown below.

Start unraveling the mystery of your DNA and heritage today, call (800) 523-3080 to order, order on-line, or download the order form and fax or mail in your order. Don't forget to take a look at our other informational genetic testing products now as you receive significant discounts when ordering tests at the same time. If you are interested in seeing a sample report, visit our sample report page.