This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: CelesteHolly51 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.lawson/6860.1.1.1.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Yes, the yDNA haplo will tell if that male's male ancestors were Native American, but not if his female ancestors were Native American. Both males and females can test for mitochondrial (female) DNA from their mother's line. A male's own mother may have been part Native American, and it might not show up in his mitochondrial (female DNA) test due to that Native American being from his mother's father's side and not the mother's side. Female DNA, whether tested in a female or a male, will tell only the mother's mother's side back through that mother's g-mother and g-g-mother, etc., in that one line, never taking into consideration any of their fathers or husbands or any other females not in that direct line. Female DNA tests back to that female line's "clan." Female DNA can test further back that yDNA as male DNA mutates more quickly than female DNA. A good book by the British biologist who developed the female DNA test is "Seven Daughters of Eve." There are only about 20 or 22 female "clans" world wide/ 7 in Europe. There may be some clans (I believe I have heard they have found some female DNA in Native Americans that also shows up in European "clans")- when one reads this book one can understand how these clans divided thousands of yrs ago coming out of Africa and some went east and some west. Female DNA cannot tell the same things as male DNA as one does not know all the present day descendants of one's mother's female line due to different surnames involved. Matching another's female DNA is sort of random so one mainly finds out the clan/area one comes from and not actual individuals. The more people who test their female DNA the more matches may be made. Celeste Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.