What?s the cultural component behind a trait as biological as your genes? If you?re a beginning family historian, an oral history researcher, or a person with no science background fascinated with ancestry, here?s how to understand and use the results of DNA tests. Scientists, media, historians, and business owners share different opinions on whether DNA testing is a useful tool in the hands of family historians.

Steve Olson, author of the book, Mapping Human History in a telephone interview with me answered my question, "What do you say about using DNA as a tool for genealogy?to extend family history research?"

Does Steve Olson think DNA testing as a tool is useful to genealogists? What does Bryan Sykes, author of the best-selling, The Seven Daughters of Eve have to say? Sykes?s book has a very different opinion about DNA testing and genealogy/family history research. The two have opposite views. Numerous scientists comment.

Sykes is associated with Oxford Ancestors, the world's first company to harness the power and precision of modern DNA-based genetics for use in genealogy. The motto on the Oxford Ancestors Web site reads: ?Putting the genes in genealogy.? Use these resources and easy to understand explanations for family history research.