Ancestry DNA can trace your genetic heritage and family tree back hundreds to thousands of years, depending on what you’re looking at:

1. DNA Ethnicity Estimates

  • Time Depth: Up to 1,000+ years ago

  • What it shows: Where your ancestors likely lived and how your DNA matches current populations.

  • Limitations: It’s an estimate based on modern reference populations, so it gives broad regional insights, not exact ancestors.

Maternal and Paternal Lineages (if available)

  • Time Depth: Up to tens of thousands of years ago

  • What it shows: Your haplogroups, which are ancient DNA signatures passed down from your mother (mtDNA) and father (Y-DNA for males).

  • Use: Helps trace ancient migration patterns, like if your paternal line came from the Middle East or Northern Europe.

Family Tree & Records via Ancestry.com

  • Time Depth: Typically 150–300 years (5–10 generations)

  • What it includes: Census records, birth/death/marriage records, immigration documents, and more.

  • Limitations: Depends on how much data you or others have added and where your ancestors lived (some countries have better records than others).

Summary:

Type of Info How Far Back It Goes
Ethnicity Estimate ~1,000 years
DNA Matches Up to 5–8 generations
Haplogroups (mtDNA/Y) Thousands of years
Family Tree Records 150–300 years (or more)