Find the Right DNA Test

  You have a choice of two basic tests in the genetic genealogy field:   

• yDNA for the male (paternal) line    (To learn more about yDNA, click here.)
• mtDNA for the female (maternal line).   (To learn more about mtDNA, click here.) 
  
  • Only males can take the yDNA (surname) test, which traces their father's father's ... father's paternal line.
  • Both males and females can take the mtDNA test, which traces their mother's mother's ... mother's line.
  • A male can order a combination test, which analyzes both his yDNA and his mtDNA.

• These are the Simple Rules:
  • A man you are testing with yDNA must be directly descended from the (male) ancestor you are interested in researching - with no females between them (yDNA cannot pass through a female ancestor)
  • A person testing with mtDNA must be directly descended from the (female) ancestor you are interested in researching - with no males between the test taker and ancestor being researched (mtDNA cannot pass through a male ancestor)
  • A female can participate in a yDNA surname project by sponsoring a male from the surname family of interest. This male must be directly descended, through males, from her common ancestor. 

Sometimes a female has to climb up the family tree and back down again to find a male to test!

A female can participate in a yDNA surname project by sponsoring a male from the surname family of interest.

This male must be directly descended, through males, from her common ancestor. Sometimes she'll have to go back up the family tree and come back down to a living male that shares a x-grandfather and carries the surname she wants tested.
To find a male to test for your surname project, a female should ask these questions: 
For example: Did her father have brothers? Did they have sons? Did their sons have sons?
Did her grandfather have brothers? Did they have sons? Did their sons have sons?
Did her great-grandfather have brothers?  Did they have sons?... and so on back up your family tree.

 Any one of the men she finds with the above questions can represent her family with a yDNA (surname) test.

Here's a link to an inheritance chart at Family Tree DNA that may help explain more clearly: http://www.familytreedna.com/tc.ht

Frequently Asked Questions About Testing                       How do I fill out FTDNA's order form?

Frequently Asked Questions about Ordering a Test

Choose the right test:

Test Through a Project!   Persons testing yDNA for Surname research at Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) should test through a project, as the cost is $50 to $80 less than testing as an individual. (Note: do NOT click on the order link at the top of FTDNA's page - as that is for folks NOT ordering through a project)

Click here to order through a test in your surname project.

 Which yDNA Test?

  --If you are trying to match to a different surname without a paper trail - we recommend 37 markers as a minimum. 67 can be helpful. 
  --If you know the surname you should match, you can probably get by with 25 markers, but many folks want 37 or 67 to get the clearer insight.
  --If you are only interested in your "deep ancestry" (haplotype) or in proving that you don't share a common ancestor with a specific family, 12 markers are adequate.
  --We also tell folks that if they are serious about their genealogy - that they will end up with at least 37 markers – and probably wind up at 67.
  --You can go in steps, upgrading a bit at a time - or buy the markers all at once. Prices for tests ordered through a project. 

  Order Test  

 Which mitochondrial (mtDNA) Test?   

  --If you are seeking information on your deep ancestry (1000s and 10,000s of years ago) the mtDNA   test is sufficient. (This test is sometimes called HVR1)

  --If you wish to use your mtDNA result to confirm a maternal ancestry (you and another person share a common maternal ancestor) then you will gain by taking the mtDNA Plus test (This test is sometimes called HVR1 + HVR2)

  --If you wish to test your entire mtDNA sequence, then you’ll want the mtDNA Full Sequence test. (FTDNA calls this test “Mega”) FTDNA suggests this for anyone who doesn’t wish to be upgrading when they need more info – as this will give you the entire sequence.

  --You can go in steps, upgrading each time – or buy the entire sequence at once. Prices:                    

An upgrade from mtDNA to mtDNA Plus is $75 and the upgrade from mtDNA to Mega is $460, while the upgrade from mtDNA Plus to Mega is $450.) 

If you going to ultimately order both yDNA and mtDNA tests for one person, you will save time by ordering them together. However, there are some oddities in the pricing structure - so    check the pricing. You may want to order one test, then immediately order an upgrade for the second.   

                  Order Test