What is Admixture in Genetic Genealogy?
Admixture is when two people from genetically distinguishable groups have a child together, such as when an American and European have children. As these populations were previously isolated from each other, they become ‘admixed’ within the next generation.
Admixture analysis, also known as biogeographical ancestry analysis, is used to determine the geographical origins of your family tree as a form of genetic genealogy.
For many populations around the world, admixture is common due to the country’s history, typically as the result of colonization or migration. Admixture can help you understand your connection to historical events and trace the migration paths of ancestors who might not be recorded in any official documents.
What is Admixture?
Admixture occurs when a child is born from parents who are descendants of at least two genetically distinguishable groups. Genetic admixture often reflects large-scale migration or historical events, such as invasions or colonization.
When these children are born, their DNA contains a mixture of DNA from their parents. This DNA is passed through each subsequent generation, through to the present day. As a result, your genomes may contain DNA segments inherited from an instance of admixture that dates hundreds of years back through your family tree.
Genetic genealogy can help you understand “where you come from” and your heritage, including which genetic groups make up your DNA.
How Admixture Happens and Modern Globalization
It’s important to consider the historical context when exploring admixture in your family tree. Colonization, global trade, migration, and intermarriage are typically the reasons why two people from genetically distinguishable groups historically crossed paths.
Migration is the main driver behind admixture, particularly in the last two hundred years, but it was previously major historical events that helped shape our genetic profile.
Trade routes like the Silk Road led to intermarriage between people from two genetically distinguishable groups, usually from Asia, the Middle East, or Europe. Similarly, the expansion of the Roman and Ottoman empires across these continents also led to admixture. While these instances are further back in history, they reflect the widespread admixture that occurred during European colonization of Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Your genetic groups will also reflect the genetic recombination that happened over generations. The growing globalization of the last two hundred years means that admixture is occurring on a larger scale than ever before, so it’s not uncommon for people to have diverse genetic groups in their DNA.
The Role of Admixture in Family History Research
DNA can tell you a lot about your ancestors with admixture helping to uncover the different layers in your family history. Genealogy often relies on official documents, such as census records and immigration files, but genetic genealogy gives you the opportunity to explore the information written in your DNA about your family’s past.
When you take a DNA test, it will analyze your specific genetic markers, showing the different ancestral groups that make up your genome. It can help trace your family’s migration paths and pinpoint the different regions and countries where your ancestors have lived.
For adoptive children, identifying admixture with a DNA test can help them start to understand their heritage. These genetic groups can provide a focus for their research and make it possible to identify potential family branches through DNA matching. It can also be an invaluable tool for individuals with lost family history, particularly those impacted by forced displacement.
Discover Your Genetic Admixture with MyHeritage’s DNA Kit
Do you want to know where you come from? It’s one of the most common reasons why people start to research their family tree. The secrets to your family tree are encoded in your DNA.
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