The Genographic Project is an ambitious attempt to answer fundamental questions about where we originated and how we came to populate the Earth. Through your participation, you can play an active role in this historic endeavor.

The Genographic Project

is a multiyear research initiative led by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Spencer Wells and a team of renowned international scientists.  National Geographic teamed up with IBM in 2005 with support from the Waitt Family Foundation to use cutting-edge genetic and computational technologies to analyze historical patterns in DNA from participants around the world to better understand our human genetic roots. The three components of the project are:



Introducing Geno 2.0 - A Revolutionary Breakthrough


With a simple and painless cheek swab, you submit a sample of your DNA to our lab. We then run a comprehensive analysis to identify thousands of genetic markers on your mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down each generation from mother to child, to reveal your direct maternal deep ancestry. In the case of men, we will also examine markers on the Y chromosome, which is passed down from father to son, to reveal your direct paternal deep ancestry. In addition, for all participants, we analyze a collection of more than 130,000 other ancestry-informative markers from across your entire genome to reveal the regional affiliations of your ancestry, offering insights into your ancestors who are not on a direct maternal or paternal line.

Your Story

The results give you an unprecedented view of your lineage. You will discover the migration paths your ancient ancestors followed thousands of years ago, and learn the details of your ancestral makeup—your branches on the human family tree.


Our Story

Your results are just the beginning. By regularly visiting the Genographic Project website at www.genographic.com, you can find out much more as Genographic scientists pull together connections, uncover new paths, and provide fresh insights into your ancestry.

You’ll find informative graphics, interactive features, video, and news stories, and learn about the broader historical context of your results.

If you choose to create a personal profile at www.genographic.com, you can share your story with Genographic Project participants, gain further insight into your lineages, and connect with others around the world who share your deep ancestry. Registering also enables you to receive email updates on the project, and ensures you can access your results if you happen to lose your anonymous participant ID at any time.

By contributing your story to the larger community, you’ll take part in a real-time research project and, in the process, may learn something new and fascinating about yourself. It’s like having a subscription to your very own genetic history—and to the history of all of us.

The Human Story

Working together, we are unveiling the story of the greatest journey ever told: how our ancestors migrated from their African homeland to populate the Earth tens of thousands of years ago.

Together we can chart a more complete map of the early stages of human history by carefully comparing the DNA from world populations that have been genetically, and geographically, stable for hundreds or thousands of years.


These are just some of the important questions the Genographic Project is asking. And through your participation, you will play a valuable role in helping answer them.

Welcome to the expedition of a lifetime.