mtDNA question

On May 17, 2008, at 7:24 PM, JUANITA DELGADO wrote:

> This is for experts on DNA out there:
>
> I just had my mtDNA done. If my daughter had hers done, would the
> results be exactly the same?
> If my "ancient" mother was a Native American, is there a chance
> that through all those hundreds of years there would have been a
> EUROPEAN mother somewhere along the line
> Juanita

Hi Juanita,
Yes, your daughter should have the same mtDNA as you, your mother,
grandmother, etc. all the way back to your "ancient" mother. MtDNA
is passed down from mother's to all their children. The daughters
then pass it down to their children. (Men do not pass down mtDNA)
There is the possibility of slight differences due to mutation and
heteroplasmy, but that is for another discussion.

As for a "European mother somewhere along the line," it depends on
what line you are referring to. If you are referring to your mtDNA
female line, it will be the same all along the line. Remember, your
mtDNA does NOT include any male Y-DNA or it's influences. Also, the
mtDNA tested for genealogical purposes is not all your DNA. The
parts normally tested for genetic genealogy are the Hypervariable
Regions, sometimes called the Control Region in scientific papers.
That region is much shorter, has no genes, and mutates more frequently.

If you are referring to the possibility of a "European mother"
somewhere in your father's line, it would not show up in his Y-DNA.
If your father's mother were European his mtDNA would show her
European mtDNA, since men have both Y-DNA and mtDNA. But only your
mother's mtDNA would be passed down to you, not your father's mtDNA
(and therefore not his mother's mtDNA).

If you had your mtDNA tested with FamilyTreeDNA, join a group that
matches your results. Also join the Newbie DNA list at DNA-
NEWBIE@yahoogroups.com. There are very knowledgeable people who will
answer your questions on this list.

Linda