How do I begin searching?

Start with a DNA test.

DNA testing is fast and painless and can be collected in the privacy of your own home using a mouth swab kit.

A DNA collection kit is provided to you by the DNA laboratory when you order a DNA test. The DNA collection kit allows you to collect a DNA sample from inside the mouth which is sent back to the laboratory for testing.

4 Steps involved in DNA testing:

Your DNA collection kit will contain "buccal brushes", specimen envelope, sample return envelope, instructions, and a DNA testing consent form. Individuals under 19 will require consent from their legal guardian in order to test. Testing can be performed at any age, even for newborns. If you have not tested yet, click here to get your kit from Genetrack.

The DNA sample is collected by rubbing the buccal brushes inside the mouth against the cheek for 30 seconds. The collection is painless and safe, even for infants. After the sample is collected, the brushes are placed into the specimen envelope provided and sealed.

The sample is sent back to the DNA laboratory for testing. At the laboratory, the DNA is extracted from the buccal brushes and the required tests are performed. More than one test can be peformed using the brushes, so individuals wishing to test their mtDNA, Y-DNA and autosomal DNA only need to collect one sample.

After your DNA test is completed, you will receive a DNA certificate that contains a lot of numbers, known as your "DNA profile". Print the certificate and enter the numbers into Indigenous DNA. If you already have results from a previous test, you can enter your results without needing to re-take your test.

Indigenous DNA is a free search engine which allows you to find DNA data from published research articles that are most relevant to your own DNA profile.

If you have not tested yet, order your test at Genetrack.