How do I figure out who on my dad's side is Native American?

Question

My dad always said he had Native American on his side. His sister shows Native American in her DNA. Which of my paternal relatives could be Native American? Do I look at Surnames? I'm not sure which names are Native American. Please advise. Thanks.

Answer 1

The type of DNA would tell you something. If it's not YDNA or mtDNA, that at least rules out a couple lines. Other than that, you just have to research your ancestors. It's obviously a lot more likely to show up in lines with old immigrations, like colonial ancestors. Generally, anyone ethnically "Hispanic" or "Latino" has a very high chance of having NA ancestry too, so if you have any heritage like that, that's pretty likely where it comes from.

Comments

Thanks. Makes sense. So far, no Hispanic or Latino DNA in me. My Aunt "thinks" the NA DNA comes from her mom's side...I will have to do some more searching...

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I think we have narrowed the Native American roots to my dad's mother's side. Now to figure out WHO...

Answer 2

Many of the Native Americans in my family tree carry Spanish last names as they were Genízaros in Northern New Mexico. They were Native America children taken captive by other tribes & then Sold to the Spanish, as slaves, then  baptized and raised in Spanish households till marriage when they were set free.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gen%C3%ADzaro

https://www.npr.org/2016/12/29/505271148/descendants-of-native-american-slaves-in-new-mexico-emerge-from-obscurity