I have been collecting information about my family tree for several
years.  Recently, I became curious about the use of DNA-based genetic
classification and matching for personal ancestry and genealogical
applications.

There are several companies, such as Family Tree DNA
(http://www.familytreedna.com/) that offer DNA analysis for
genalogical purposes.  Unfortunately, the descriptions of the
techniques, the terminology, and what the results mean, are very
difficult for a non-professional to understand.

I recently bought the "Idiot's Guide to Decoding Your Genes", but it
didn't discuss the particular DNA techniques in use for
genealogy/origins, and what is possible to determine from the tests
and why.

I am looking for a primer, or a set of primers, about DNA and analysis
techniques and how they work (and what their flaws are).  For example,
how do Y-marker DNA tests work?  What do they tell you?  How do they
differ from Mitochondrial DNA tests?  What are Haplogroups?  DYS
values?

I have a scientific background, but know little about biology &
genetics.  I'd be interesting in technical beginner overviews, not
academic research.

QUESTION: Say I want to spend no more than 5 hours reading about the
topic. What would be 5-10 good sources for me to learn about DNA-based
genealogy, techniques, terminology, applications, etc.?

Hi! Thanks for the question.

I have found the following links that provide primers on DNA based
genealogy.

"Genetics & Genealogy"
http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/ucroderick1a.htm

"DNA Testing 101 - Ancestry DNA Tests for Genealogists"
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/geneticgenealogy/a/dna_tests.htm

"GENETICS AND GENEALOGY: Y Polymorphism and mtDNA Analyses"
http://www.duerinck.com/genetic.html

"Genetics and Genealogy Y Polymorphism and mtDNA Analyses"
http://www.ramsdale.org/dna9.htm 

"DNA Testing for Genealogical Purposes"
http://www.ancestry.com/genetics/howworks.htm

"Genes and Genealogy"
http://www.ramsdale.org/dna5.htm

"When You Really Want to Know, the Y Chromosome May Hold the Answer"
http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/ucwilliams1a.htm

"Tracing Ancestry with MtDNA"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/neanderthals/mtdna.html

DNA and Genealogy
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~crrking/resources/dna_genealogy.htm

CHRIS POMERY'S DNA PORTAL
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~allpoms/genetics.html

Finally, the About.com website has a list of recommended books about
the basics of DNA and genealogy.

"Genetics and Genealogy - Best Books for Genetic Genealogy and Family
Health Histories - Top Picks"
http://genealogy.about.com/library/reviews/aatpbooks_health.htm

Search Strategy:   
genetics dna genealogy basic
      
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
                        
Thanks for visiting us.                         
                        
Regards,                         
Easterangel-ga                         
Google Answers Researcher

Extremely fast answer, and very relevant to the question asked. 
Sources don't have annotations describing the quality of each source,
but that's probably expected given the newness of the field and the
very fast response.  I think the response will fit my needs very well.
 Thanks!