The Power of African mtDNA Haplogroups

African mtDNA Haplogroups: A Complete Guide to L0–L7 and Beyond

From Haplogroup L0 to the Malagasy Motif, uncover the African maternal lineages that shaped humanity—and still live on in your mtDNA.


Y-DNA Testing & African American Genealogy

How Y-DNA Testing Transforms African American Genealogy

The genetic gaps in African American family history are real — but Y-DNA testing can help fill them. Learn what your paternal DNA can tell you about your African ancestry and how to get started.


Jackson family members across generations illustrating Michael Jackson's confirmed paternal ancestry research

Discover the Intriguing Paternal Lineage of Michael Jackson

How did researchers confirm Michael Jackson's paternal ancestry without his DNA? Sherman McRae explains the Big Y-700 test that revealed an unexpected French Huguenot connection.


The World’s Largest Y-DNA Haplotree

FamilyTreeDNA’s Y-DNA haplotree includes over 100,000 branches and 860,000 variants — the most detailed paternal ancestry map in the world. Each month, we update this post with the latest growth stats, haplogroup insights, and tools to help you explore your place in history.


World's Largest mtDNA Haplotree - FamilyTreeDNA Blog

The World’s Largest mtDNA Haplotree

A detailed look at the world’s largest mtDNA haplotree, how it continues to grow and refine, and what recent updates reveal about maternal ancestry and population history.


Eighty Years to a Name: How an mtDNA Project Helped Identify the Unknown Sailor of HMAS Sydney (II)

A chance connection through a Group Project helped identify an unknown WWII sailor after 80 years using an mtDNA haplogroup.


Understanding mtDNA Haplogroups and Your Results

Learn how mtDNA haplogroups are named and how to interpret your mtDNA results to trace your direct maternal ancestry.


What is Mitochondrial DNA_Explore Your DNA_FamilyTreeDNA

What Is Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)? Explained Simply

What can mitochondrial DNA tell you about your ancestry? Learn how mtDNA is inherited and how it helps trace your maternal line.


How to Use mtDNA for Genealogy Research_Explore Your DNA_FamilyTreeDNA

How to Use mtDNA for Genealogy Research

Learn how mtDNA can help you trace your maternal line, confirm relationships, and uncover ancestors when traditional records fall short.


Tips and Resources for Using mtDNA Testing For Genealogy_Explore Your DNA_FamilyTreeDNA

Tips and Resources for Using mtDNA Testing For Genealogy

Learn how to use mtDNA results with practical tips, tools, and strategies to trace your maternal ancestry and improve your genealogy research.