Both statements are 100% true. The y-DNA supports your paper trial. The mt-DNA tracks the female side of your ancestry and is not very helpful because it is passed from the female side. Your mother passed her mt-DNA to you that she got from HER mother, who got it from your maternal grandmother. So you can see the problem. Cheers, Jim Gordon Be sure to do the male testing - y-DNA tests first, if you can found a male with a helpful surname. mtDNA goes much further back in time and you will be "hard pressed" to discover ordinary (paper trail) genealogical or historical records to support it. at least that is what I have been reading. Kay C. P.S. I still plan to do a mtDNA test some time.