This website started out as a way to share the documented journey of the McGrath family.  It quickly grew to include many other lines that intersected with this McGrath line through marriage.  Many years ago there were less than 100 people in this family tree.  Today we are close to having almost 2,000 people in this tree, and as the research continues, so does the tree continue to grow!

Genetic Genealogy - the newest resource and tool to help identify previously unknown lines of family or unknown living relatives.  Amazing!!  This in no way replaces the standard method of research - finding documented proof of ancestors but it does help identify descendants from your previously "missing branches".  To date, I have found several genetic connections to our family.  Some are easy to identify our "most recent common ancestors", while others are still a mystery that will be solved!

Many people already listed in this tree have had their DNA tested.  The more people who test, the better the research will be.

Most common DNA tests:

Autosomal DNA testing.  There is a commercial on TV that we have all seen that suggests a simple saliva test will tell you your ethnicity.  It does but more importantly, it will also compare your DNA to the largest database for DNA testing and provide you with genetic matches.  You and your new match can collaborate and discover who your most common ancestor is.  This same autosomal test is also available from a variety of other companies.

Autosomal DNA tests utilize DNA from the 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes. Autosomal DNA is inherited from both parents. Therefore, an autosomal DNA test may be taken by either a male or a female. Remember, because you inherit from both parents, and likewise, they inherited from their parents, siblings will share a lot of the same matches but they will also have unique matches. So the more people who test in a family, the better!

Testing companies:  www.ancestry.ca    www.ftdna.com    www.23andme.com

Y-DNA testing.  A Y-DNA test looks at male inherited Y-Chromosome DNA. As the Y-Chromosome is passed on from a father to his sons, it is only found in males. Y-DNA testing can then be used to trace clearly a direct paternal line.

Testing company:  there is only one company who provides this Y DNA test   www.ftdna.com