DNA: 1 - Overview of DNA Tests

I have had my DNA tested with the three main tests: 'Y-DNA', 'mt-DNA' and 'at-DNA'. I share my result as an example for you, your result may be different.

Test	What Tested	Result for Haplogroup (group who share a mutation)	Diagram or notes
Y-DNA tests the male genome. Father's father's father, etc. and so on back until genealogical Adam! (nothing to do with the Bible). This is a very accurate test of your origin via the male line. The Y test can be extended with additional and more expensive tests to give much finer results which, in the Dowling context, can give a link to the Seven Septs of Laois.	The cell's nucleus has 23 chromosomes. This tests just one half of only the 23rd chromosome used to determine gender. Only males have this DNA tucked away in the nucleus of a cell. I got this from my father and it has hardly changed for many generations. (in a male this pair of chromosomes is X & Y, in a female it is X & X, so women cannot be tested for this Y-DNA).	R-FGC28340 (a subclade of R-M269, which is a subclade of R1b) About 25,000 years ago this group inhabited Western Europe. While matches occur all over the world those matches consistently have a connection to Ireland.
mt-DNA tests the female genome. Mother's mother's mother, etc. and so on back to one of the genealogical Eve's (nothing to do with the Bible). This is a very accurate test of your origin via the female line. This test can be made with partial or, at greater cost, 'full' solution.	Males and females all have this, and mine comes from my mother. Mitochondria is found in the material surrounding the cell's nucleus and has lots of detail.	K1a11
at-DNA tests autosomes. Also called the Autosomal test. FamilyTreeDNA call it their 'Family Finder' test. Many other companies, who only do one type of test, are a little misleading by only referring to it as their "DNA test" suggesting it is the only test when it is only one type of test. Generally has part of DNA for both parents, both sets of grandparents, great-grand parents, and less-accurately, great-great grandparents. This test can include a test for some 'X' information but this tricky to interpret right now. Some of the matches with previous testers may give an indcation of origins of your test, for example it may say you are .1% Finnish or 20% French or some other mix. This is of interest but in no way as accurate as 'Y' or 'mt'. Some company results may make a poor guess at haplogroup.	This is a test of 22 of the 23 pairs of chromosomes called autosomes. Males and females have this but its all a bit muddled up as to which bit comes from the mother or father. As a result it is not so good for tracking a male or female line. However, it is really good for recent ancestors to 4 or 5 generations back on both sides. Although not so accurate for deep ancestry (use 'Y' and 'mt' for that), the 'at' test is excellent because it is cheaper than the others and, therefore, there are a lot more people who have had the test (matches).	100% European made up of: 71% British Isles 19% West & Central Europe 10% East Europe with a trace in South America	no map for 'at'