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Use the DNA Descendant Of term to create a filter where people are selected if they inherit a type of DNA from a progenitor within a specified number of generations.

You choose the type of DNA (mtDNA, X-DNA, or Y-DNA) and the subject (progenitor) who is the source of the DNA. You may limit the number of generations between the subject and his or her descendants. You may choose if you want spouses of qualifying people to be selected.

See the Filters help page for more information about filters.

mtDNA

mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is usually inherited solely from the mother. In exceptional cases, mtDNA may be inherited from the father. The filter implements the usual case.

mtDNA Inheritance Pattern
Mother Father
Daughter Y N
Son Y N
  • Daughters inherit mtDNA from their mothers and pass it on to their children.
  • Sons inherit mtDNA from their mothers but do not pass it on to their children.

X-DNA

X-DNA is inherited via the X chromosome.

X-DNA Inheritance Pattern
Mother Father
Daughter Y Y
Son Y N
  • Daughters inherit X-DNA from both parents and pass X-DNA to their children.
  • Sons inherit X-DNA from their mothers and pass an X-DNA to their daughters. They do not inherit an X chromosome from their fathers, so they do not inherit X-DNA from their fathers. They do not pass X-DNA to their sons.

Y-DNA

Y-DNA is inherited via the Y chromosome.

Y-DNA Inheritance Pattern
Mother Father
Daughter N N
Son N Y
  • Daughters do not inherit a Y chromosome from their fathers, so they do not inherit Y-DNA from their fathers and they do not pass Y-DNA to their children.
  • Sons inherit Y-DNA from their fathers and pass it on to their sons. They do not pass a Y chromosome to their daughters, so they do not pass Y-DNA to their daughters.