DNA Studies in the Scotland Project

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The Scotland Project prefers that detailed DNA studies not be done directly on a Profile. In many cases the information leads to confusion or discourages participation by people who have no interest in DNA. The only DNA information that should be directly on a Scottish Profile are DNA Confirmation Statements Keep in mind that for all Confirmed with DNA indications, the entire paper trail must be fully documented with proper source citations and all relationships must be "confident"

When there is extra DNA information that is believed to be relevant, it should be moved to a Free Space Page. A few things should be taken into consideration:

• If there is an external DNA study site, point to that site in either the == Research Notes == section or in a See also after the source citations. Do not copy information from those sites. It isn't necessary and could be a copyright infringement.
• If the study is being done on Wikitree, the Space page must state the methodology being used and any assumptions being made. The Project prefers that a minimum centiMorgans level of 7 be used and not anything below 5 cM.
• For DNA studies moving into Scottish notables territory, the methodology should be a generally accepted methodology.
• Autosomal DNA is not particularly useful beyond 5 to 7 generations. Attempting to go back further than that will need very detailed analysis with a generally accepted methodology. This moves beyond triangulation.
• Y-DNA studies can be used for many more generation back in time but care should be taken. For Scotland Project, Y-DNA needs a minimum of 37 markers with more markers being better.
• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) studies should be done with full sequencing that also includes both hyper variable regions (HVR1 and HVR2) .

Guidelines on DNA Study Space Pages for use in the Scotland Project:

• long lists of relationships between a Member and and ancestor don't provide much benefit and just makes the report more difficult for readers to follow the arguments being presented. What is useful are lists of members who share a Most Recent Common Ancestor or Most Recent Common Ancestral Couple.
• when multiple ancestors are involved in the study, they should all be defined and how they fit into the study made clear. For example, a line of Clan Chiefs may be the subject of the study. This should be clearly explained in the introduction and the study organized by the list of chiefs. Each chief would be a section of the study with some indication of how they fit into the study.
• studies should not just be random DNA information. It must be organized and explained clearly. We want non-DNA oriented people to be able to understand the point of the study.

A basic study will:

1. Describe the purpose of the study and the methodology being used.
2. Enumerate the subjects of the study
3. Show how DNA verifies relationships for each of the subjects
   1. DNA confirmation statements supporting the research
   2. list target research that still needs to be done for this subject
   3. conclusions found if sufficient data to make any
4. If the study is complete, discuss the conclusions.