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Quote from: DonnaA23 on Monday 12 September 16 14:38 BST (UK)

Exactly and that's unfair I think.

A rather silly argument if I may say. Genealogy is not the study of what is fair and unfair, it is a study of pedigrees and how one does that is up to the individual themselves there is no proscribed right or wrong way and to try to suggest otherwise is rather juvenile in my opinion.

Oh and I see you have quite a lot to say negatively about studying male line descent but haven't ventured into criticising the study of matrilineality, a tad hypocritical I might suggest

Perhaps because I haven't encountered a society, that discriminates against the lineage of a man. Females have every right to claim the same descent, as a brother and be recognised as such.

Think yourself lucky, I replied so politely.
If you can't be polite....STAY OUT of my threads.

Quote from: DonnaA23 on Monday 12 September 16 02:40 BST (UK)

Quote from: Ruskie on Monday 12 September 16 02:21 BST (UK)

I don't think the Y-DNA (male) is more credible than the MT-DNA (female), it's just that the male line in some ways can be easier to trace as it generally is expected to pass down the generations through the male line along with the surname and inheritance.

People can trace whichever line they wish for their own trees. Those you've seen might be a work on progress - some people trace the male line first as it can sometimes be easier, then move on to the female line at a later date.  It comes down to personal preference.

I didn't say they can't. I couldn't give two figs why they only include the paternal line, I was just curious.

I'm just not understanding it all. The way I see it, is that I have exactly the same surname as my brother, only my surname would change if I married. ......which won't happen anytime soon. We'd  still have exactly the same parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc...

And as for this male paternal line and keeping in with male family surnames, who is to say that ones wife was faithful and his male children even belong to him??......There is never any solid proof, of a direct male lineage. Surnames mean zilch.

True say, we can usually be 100% of who our mothers are, but not so sure about who our fathers are. So why this big deal to some, in regards this male surname lineage baffles me.

I think SelDen has given you a good concise explanation.

Just picking up on a couple of your points:

If females want to trace their paternal DNA if they have a brother it is suggested that they ask them to take the test.

If you suspect an illegitimacy in the family that is where DNA testing can be very useful. Even if you don't and you find that you do not have the match that you expect with a close relative, it can be as a result of illegitimacy.

Why the importance of following the male surname?  It is because Y-DNA follows the male line only and males retain their surnames, which is why the surname is relevant.
I think male and female hold equal weight, but we still live in a male dominated society as do many (if not most other) societies and cultures. It's changing slowing in western society but perhaps the perceived importance of male surnames stems from long held traditions, and as I mentioned before, the male line relates to inheritance, wealth and power. Some may still hold that view...

Added: If you have a brother get him to take the male test, or depending which line you are following, perhaps an uncle or male cousin.

People recommend the FTDNA tests as they have more uptake than other tests and you can enter the results into other websites to obtain further matches.

Ok thanks.

So if I was wanting to follow my maternal grandfathers line, I could ask my mums brother?

Ok thanks everyone and thanks for the info and the link.
I will be sure to check it out and because I eventually want to take this test, but I want to understand it first.

While DNA would stress no importance, a lot of people are, hence male line descendants only being allowed to join certain societies or groups etc

I'd personally be more excited about having my maternal line tested, via my maternal grandfather and given what I've found. My dads line is quite boring  and I'm stuck at 1786 with them..... Alas my grandad is no longer here, so he can't do any test.
So that leaves a Family Finder tracing my mums direct female line, which again isn't as exciting as my grandads lineage, although there is a surname Vipond in my mums line, that might prove interesting. But I've been hearing these Family Finder tests only go back about 400 years and I've already gone back 400+ years, on my mums side.
Obviously I cannot have the male test. So that leaves the one that tests both male and female.

Can anyone tell me what the Ancestry DNA test is like and what kind of results or findings do we get back?

Thanks

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How daunting is all this information. I have a headache after reading that