This website is dedicated to the study of the Day Surname as it pertains to DNA testing. Additionally, there will be links to the Day Family Genealogy website operated by Sue (Day) Hafner. Sue's website has long been a repository for Day research and a searching area for Day researchers. I cannot suggest strongly enough that her website needs to be visited and often.
This is a simple test accomplished by the participant ordering a testing kit (more about companies later). Once the kit is received by the testee, scrapers (they look like rigid toothbrushes) are used to obtain samples of the cells on the inside of the cheek. Usually there are two and the samples are obtained about 8 hours apart. They are then placed in the provided containers and mailed back to the testing company. Rarely is it necessary for the participant to provide another sample but it does happen. It is very important to get a good sample. It is NOT necessary to scrape the inside of the cheek until it bleeds. They want the cells that reside on the surface inside the cheek.
Once the sample is received by the testing company it is assigned an identification number and the pertinent personal information on the testee becomes invisible. From this point the testee is identified by a number until the results are obtained. When that has been accomplished the testee and the project administrator are notified of the results.
Y-DNA is the portion which is transmitted from father to son at the time of conception. It can only be passed by the males in a family to their male offspring. The DNA strand contains both proteins, which may reveal health issues, and non-proteins, the so-called "junk DNA." Y-DNA used in testing comes from the area known as junk DNA. This testing will not tell you specifically who your father or grandfather was or where he lived. I cannot stress this enough. If you are looking for the name and other pertinent information regarding a male ancestor you will NOT get it through a Y-DNA test. Only traditional genealogy research can do that for you.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is passed from a woman to her daughters and her sons at the time of conception but only the daughters will be able to pass it on to their children. The testing process is the same for mtDNA as Y-DNA, i.e., scraping of the inside of the cheeks, etc. Comparisons are a little trickier as you will not be able to follow the same surname back in history. You will be concentrating on the birth surnames of the maternal side of your family. If you are looking at a standard generational chart this will be the lines at the very bottom. It cannot be broken by a male.
The testing company used most often by Day DNA participants is Family Tree DNA, based in Houston, TX. The laboratory they use is located at the University of Arizona. There is a group project set up for the Day men at FTDNA which offers discounts for Day men who join the project.
There is also a group project for the Day surname at DNAHeritage if a potential participant prefers to test with a different company.
Either company may be used for testing purposes but you should be forewarned that they do not test all the same markers which makes comparisons of participants' results from the different companies imprecise. However, the choice of testing company is left to you.
Contact Administrator
Sharon Day Bryant
copyright 2008-