Some DNA tests can reveal your deep ancestry.  Other DNA tests may help you connect to distant cousins, to share information that could help your family history research.  They may even prove some parts of your family tree that you've often doubted.  

DNA testing prices have fallen considerably in recent years, bringing these tests within reach of many amatur genealogists.  A number of special Christmas promotions have made these tests even more attractive.  However, to get value for money you need to choose a test that will help you achieve your goals.  Choose the wrong test and you may be disappointed. 

There's a discussion in the members forum about the different tests available, and what each testing service is aiming to achieve.  Members can click here to request an invitation to join the forum.  Once you've signed up, you'll have access to our private members-only discussion area where you can ask questions and get help to choose the best testing option for your needs.

Alternatively, non-members can click here to read our DNA Project page.  The page has been updated to include special Christmas prices for the Armstrong Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com and ScotlandsDNA.com who have also issued a press release "Calling all Armstrongs" for their own research project.

If you're thinking about taking a DNA test, these Christmas promotions make the idea more attractive than ever.

Genetic evidence and more rigorous research methods are currently challenging the origin myths & legends of several clan surnames.  We continue to explore this theme with more remarkable results from the Armstrong Y-DNA project reviewed alongside published academic works.

Many historians claimed the Viking occupation of the remote Orkney and Shetland Islands in the 9th century had largely supplanted the indigenous population.  However, recent "People of the British Isles" research found that only 25% of Orcadian DNA was of Viking origin.   

So, what does a Y-DNA testee in the Orkney Islands have in common with the Armstrong Clan?  They share a specific genetic marker, or SNP, that suggests a direct paternal line to a common ancestor who seems likely to have lived during, or pre, the Iron Age (about 700BC).  Is this more evidence that our clan's ancestors were of ancient indigenous Scottish stock?  Association members can read the whole story in the Armstrong News 81.

The Armstrong News includes more discussion of the Armstrongs ancient roots based on DNA evidence.  This article looks at what the Y-DNA evidence suggests about the Armstrongs in the Late Iron Age and Early Medieval periods.

The evidence shows that many Armstrongs carry a specific genetic marker that's found in less than 1% of the British population.  A world-leading expert in British DNA believes that this marker indicates the mainstream Armstrong ancestors may have been Picts, or an even older tribe.

Learn more about this SNP genetic marker and the Pictish tribes in Issue 80 of the Armstrong News, which is available to all members of the Armstrong Clan Association.

What happens when you combine medieval history with modern genetic testing?   You get some thought-provoking insights into the origins of the Armstrong Clan!

Medieval documents and ancient pedigree charts give one view of the Armstrongs' origins.  However, modern DNA analysis can throw new light on these historic documents, and give extra information on the clan's genetic history.  

Issue 76 of the Armstrong News explores several medieval documents with evidence from the Armstrong Y-DNA project, as part of this ongoing series.