The Phillips DNA Project News

Our Phillips DNA Project is based on tests of the male Y chromosome which is passed down from father to son, but many members have also taken an mtDNA test which is DNA inherited from their mothers. Unfortunately, mtDNA is difficult to use for genealogy because it mutates very, very slowly. According to FTDNA, if you take their highest level mtDNA test called a mtFullSequence test and perfectly match someone else who has taken a mtFullSequence test, you have a 95% chance of sharing a common maternal ancestor who has lived within 22 generations, which equals about 550 to 660 years. It is virtually impossible to trace back that many generations, especially with regard to women who traditionally change their last name with every generation.