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Understand Your Results

Now for the fun part!

Most researchers want to know if they are "related" to another person or family.

When your test resultsi are ready, FamilyTreeDNA makes results available to participants both electronically and by regular mail. When the lab completes a test, they upload the results to their database and notify you via e-mail that the results are available online. The online results are accessed from the login box on FTDNAi’s home page.

In addition, the Project Administrator receives notice that your results are ready, and he/she will post the results on your projects Results page, often at Worldfamilies.net. 

You should look at both FTDNA and your project website's Results Page to understand your results and to compare them to other test results.  
   

Understand Your Results

Overview of your Results at FTDNA:
  • FTDNA will upload the results to their database and notify you via e-mail that the results are available online. The online results are accessed from the login box on FTDNA’s home page, using your kit number and the password FTDNA sent you when you returned your kit.
  • You can see your results by going to your Personal Page and clicking on "Y-DNA DYSi Values" (for yDNA tests) or "mtDNAi Results" (for mtDNA tests).
  • A certificate and a report are sent by regular mail. The certificate contains the name of the tested individual, the results, and, in the case of the Native American or Cohanim test, shows whether the results were positive or negative. To see examples of the certificates, click here.
  • Your results will look something like this: 
PANEL 1
LOCUS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
DYS#
393
390
19
391
385a
385b
426
388
439
389-1
392
392-2
ALLELES
12
24
14
10
11
15
12
12
12
13
13
29


 
 


 
  • Understand the results table labels :
    • Panel   --  this is a grouping that FTDNA uses for testing.  Results are posted in Panel groupings.
      • Panel 1 makes up the 12 marker test.
      • Panels 1 and 2 make up the 25 marker test.
      • Panels 1, 2 and 3 make up the 37 marker test.
      • Panels 1 through 6 make up the 67 marker test.
    • Locus--simply the sequence that FTDNA uses to report the markers.
    • DYS#--DNA Y-Chromosomei Segment--the prefix for most marker addresses
    • Markers--the common name for the addresses on the chromosome segment where the testing is done. The number shown is the number of times that a specific pattern repeats at that address.  It is by comparing these numbers that you are able to compare your test results with other results.   The table uses the shorthand of just the number, i.e. 393, but we report an individual marker using the DYS prefix, i.e. DYS 393.  Some markers are "multi-markers" meaning that multiple values are reported for this marker, for example 385a and 385b.
    • Alleles--the count reported at the marker (number of times that the pattern repeats)
    • Haplogroups--A group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a SNPi mutationi. Haplogroups pertain to your deep ancestral origins dating back thousands of years.  Because a haplogroupi consists of similar haplotypes, this is what makes it possible to predict a haplogroup. FTDNA makes every effort to estimate your haplogroup by comparing your results to their database.  They also give you an opportunity to order a  SNP testi, which will confirm your haplogroup. Haplogroups are assigned letters of the alphabet, and refinements consist of additional number and letter combinations, Example: R1b1. Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups have different haplogroup designations.   For a description of the migration patterns and ethnic origins of each group, take a look at Charles Kerchner's webpage.

Comparing your results at Family Tree DNA  

  • There are several ways to compare using your Personal Page at FTDNA: 
    • Click on "User Preferences" in the left column on your personal pagei.  There you will have the opportunity to choose
      • To restrict matches to your own surname project
      • To compare your results against the entire FTDNA database
      • To show your matches at 12, 25, 37 or 67 markers (you can choose more than one).
      • While you're on this page, please take a moment to fill in your Most Distant Known Ancestor--as this is an essential part of using genetic genealogy.
      • Click "Update" at the bottom of the page to make your selections.
    • Click on "Y-DNA Matches" in the left column on your personal page to see who you match.
      • If you match someone who has signed a release form, his name and email address will be shown. 
      • The number in parenthesis after a name tells you how many markers this person has tested.  Look down the page to the highest number of markers you have both been tested to see if the match holds up at the highest resolution you both have. 
      • Your "matches" will be grouped:
        • "Exact matches" would be 12/12, 25/25, 37/37, or 67/67
        • "Genetic Distance - 1" matches would be 11/12, 24/25, 36/37, or 66/67
        • "Genetic Distance - 2" matches would be 10/12. 23/25, 35/37, or 65/67
      • Clicking on the "horizontal y" symbol at the right of your matches' name will give you the FTDNATIP Report to give you the statistics on whether you share a common ancestor.
      • Clicking on the "FT" symbol will give you access to that person's gedcom.  (Not everyone has provided this information.)
      • To compare your results on Ysearch.org (against others who have been tested outside of the FTDNA database), look at the box near the center of the page "Additional possibilities for searching matches".
        • Click the link "Click here to upload to Ysearch.org"
        • Follow the steps to upload your test results to Ysearch.
    • Click on "Recent Ancestral Origins" in the left column of your personal page to see where the persons your test results match have reported as their earliest ancestor's origins
      • This is one reason it is important to fill in the Most Distant Known Ancestor on your User Preference Page
      • Your matches are grouped:  "Exact", "One-Step Mutations", "Two-Step Mutations", "Three-Step Mutations" (The same as "Genetic Distance 1", "Genetic Distance 2", above)
    • Click on "Haplogroup" in the left column of your personal page.  FTDNA makes every effort to estimate your haplogroup by comparing your results to their database.  They also give you an opportunity to order a  SNP test, which will confirm your haplogroup.
      • You will be told your haplogroup, as predicted by FTDNA's estimation based on their database, or as proven by the actual SNP tested, if you have ordered it.
      • Your matches are grouped:  "Exact", "One-Step Mutations", "Two-Step Mutations", "Three-Step Mutations" (The same as "Genetic Distance 1", "Genetic Distance 2", above)
      • At the bottom of the page is a brief description of the haplogroups, their roots, and migrations.
    • Click on "My Maps" in the left column of your personal page.  Here you will find the same information as you were given in the Haplogroup and Recent Ancestral Origins in a visual representation on a color-coded map. 
    • Family Tree DNA will notify you by email anytime you have a new match.
    • You can manually upload your results into a public database: www.ybase.org, another public database open to all.  You will have to manually load your markers and will have to adjust some to fit their nomenclature.
    • You may be contacted by your Project Administer or another test participant to alert you to a match.
    • Comparing mtDNA Results:  There really isn't a way to correlate mtDNA to a line, as every woman who marries into a surname family carries a different mtDNA. You will learn your haplogroup, which tell you which 'branch of woman' you descend from on your mother's side. In addition, you will be told of the mutations that are present. These allow you to locate those with whom you share a maternal heritage. However, this is too far in the past to be able to link paper trails. A number of folks have started mtDNA projects to increase the learning, and there is a lot of hope for the potential.

Analysing your Results at FTDNA 

  • After the excitement of finding a match with one or more other test participants, you'll want to know what that means:  How many markers must match to prove or disprove that you share a common ancestor?
  • Here are some guidelines:
    • For those who tested at 12 markers:
      • Matches of less than 9/12 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor* (The author is aware of only one case where a 8/12 become an accepted genetic match after upgrading sufficiently to have a valid comparison.   The paper trails confirm the match)
      • Matches of 9/12 - there is a tiny chance that the participants share a common ancestor. You'll need to test at 37 markers to find a true shared genetic match that starts with such a low match. (The author has not yet personally seen a 9/12 become an accepted genetic match - but has heard of an occurance)
      • Matches of 10/12 – there is a small chance that the participants share a common ancestor. Increase to 25 markers and re-evaluate
      • Matches of 11/12 and 12/12 – there is an improved chance that the participants share a common ancestor. Increase to 25 markers and re-evaluate
      • CAUTION: a 12/12 match - even with the same surname - can be a random match. If a solid paper trail supports the 12/12 match, you can be reasonably certain of shared ancestry, but without the connecting paper trail - you can only be sure by upgrading to at least 25 markers
    • For those who tested at 25 markers:
      • Matches of less than 21/25 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*
      • Matches of 21/25 & 22/25 – there is a small chance that the participants share a common ancestor. Consider all of the traditional genealogy insights and try to obtain more participants to represent the affected families. Upgrade to 37 markers
      • Matches of 23/25, 24/25 & 25/25 – there is a high probability that participants who share a surname share a common ancestor. If there is no shared paper trail, a comparison at 37 or 67 markers can be useful.
      • You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here
    • For those who tested at 37 markers:
      • Matches of less than 31/37 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*
      • Matches of 31/37 and 32/37 - the two participants have a small possibility that may share a common ancestor from the early days of surnames. This is an area with little clear insight. An upgrade to 67 markers is encouraged
      • Matches of 33/37 - some researchers consider this to be a match and some don't. If there is a shared common ancestor - it will be more than a few 100s of years ago. Upgrade to 67 markers for additional clarity.
      • Matches of 34/37, 35/37, 36/37 & 37/37 - the participants share a recent common ancestor
      • You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here
    • For those who tested at 67 markers:
      • Matches of less than 60/67 – the two participants probably do not share a common ancestor*. This is still being studied - but unless your match is nearly 60/67 and you have some reason to believe there is a shared ancestor since the advent of surnames - you should consider your near miss as "no match"
      • Matches of 60/67 and 61/67 - the two participants may share a common ancestor from the early days of surnames. This is still being studied
      • Matches of 62/67 and better - researchers consider these to be a match - indicating a shared common ancestor
      • You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here
      What if you have NO matches?
              • This means that you do not share a common ancestor with any of the other men tested so far in the project. If you believe that your pedigree is completely accurate and that there have been no "non-paternity" events in your line, it also means that your ancestral line does not share a common ancestor with any of the men tested so far in the project However, you'll need a confirming result from a second man to be certain on this point. (If you find and test a man descended from a different son of your earliest ancestor, and if the two of you match - you'll know the DNA of your most recent common ancestor. You'll also know the DNA of every ancestor between you and that common ancestor.)  So here are the steps you can take: 
              • Upgrade, if needed, to at least 37 markers  (Most of the mutations may be in the first markers.)
              • Test your most distant known cousin (Confirms your most recent common ancestor, reassures you of your results, or identifies a "Surname Discontinuity")
              • Test a known descendant of a family you think you match or of a family living in the area where yours lived who was closely associated with your family (possible unrecorded adoption).
              • Join your Geographic and Haplogroup Projects 
              • Be Patient.  The person who will match you and help unlock your genealogy may decide to be tested at some point in the future.  When he does, your results and pedigree will already be available and ready to help you make the connection you desire! 
              • At this point, you may decide you need to upgrade.  Learn more about upgrades.   
              •  Understanding Results FAQ
              •  Reading and Comparing Results *We mean a common direct paternal ancestor within the historical period of surnames."
  • Overview of Results Page at Worldfamilies.net:
    (This explanation explains the Results Pages that are hosted at Worldfamilies.net.  Projects hosted elsewhere may have differences.)

    • When the Project Administrator is notified by FTDNA that your results are ready, he/she will post them on the Surname Project's Results Page.  (It may take a few days for your results to appear on the Results page, as there can be delays in notification and in posting.  Email your Project Administrator if your results do not appear on the Results page within a week after you have received notification of your results from FTDNA).
    • Here's what you will see on most project's Results Pages at Worldfamilies.net
      • "ID" or sometimes the kit number, which is a number assigned to track the individual within the project.
      • "Name" column is intended to list the "Earliest Known Ancestor" (the person who is the farthest back of your family tree that you have been able to trace through a paper trail) - which we prefer.  If we can't find this in the field in "Preferences" on your Personal Page at FTDNA or through a pedigree posted on the Worldfamilies.net Pedigree Forum, we post the initials and last name of the participant.
      • Haplogroups (abbreviated as "Haplo" in the Results table):   A group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a SNP mutation. Haplogroups are assigned letters of the alphabet, and refinements consist of additional number and letter combinations,           
        • A Green Haplogroup result was determined by actual testing - with a SNP test (pronounced "snip")
        • A Red Haplogroup result has been estimated by FTDNA - using their internal database.  In order for them to predict a haplogroup, there must be at least a 12/12 match to a SNP tested result
        • A Black Haplogroup estimate was determined by some other estimating procedure
        • Sometimes, there is no haplogroup estimate - which is shown with a "-".   [In those cases, FTDNA will (at their expense - and on their own timetable) arrange for a SNP test to determine the  haplogroup]
      • The Marker Panels
        • The band across the top of the chart shows DYS numbers (addresses) for the markers tested.
        • Under each DYS number, a number is shown which shows the number of times that pattern repeated at that marker on your test results.
      • Color
        • If two or more results are considered a "match", they will be shown with matching markers in the same background color.
        • Markers within a "match" which have different results will be shown with contrasting colors.
        • A specific color has no meaning - other than showing a match.
        • Different genetic groups (lineages) are shown in differing colors.
      • Lineage:
        • A Lineage is "declared" when two men are matching 23/25 or better.
        • A "Lineage" is a genetic family who share a recent common ancestor. 
        • The men in the Lineage "match".
        • Results shown together in a color group and assigned to a Lineage share a "recent" common ancestor
          • Generally since the advent of surnames (c1100) and probably in the last 2-400 years - or less.
          • The common ancestor could be the earliest ancestor on the oldest pedigree or could have lived as little as one generation earlier  (or could have lived centuries earlier than any of the known ancestors.)
        • The coloration of a Lineage is simply to show matching.  A specific color has no meaning - other than showing the match.
      • Mutations
        • Generally an exact copy of the yDNA is passed from father to son, but occasionally, and at random, a slight difference may occur, called a mutation.  (Typically this mutation will show as a difference of one count, but there are special cases where it can be greater than one.)
        • Mutations from the typical result (which is probably the haplotype of the common ancestor) are shown in a contrasting color.   
        • Mutations with no match have no significance at this time- but may be useful at some future date.
        • Where the mutation is matching a mutation from another result within the Lineage, the match likely indicates a more recent shared common ancestor (or a "branch" within the Lineage) as the two men probably both inherited the mutation from a recent common ancestor.
        • For general information on Results
  • Comparing Your Results at Your Project's Website at Worldfamilies.net

    • Your results will be listed by your code identity numberi and your earliest known ancestor (if you have provided his name--otherwise we will use your initials.)
    • If your results match another participant's test results, we will group your results and color them in the same background color.
    • Any mutations (differences in the number of times the pattern repeats at a particular marker) between your test results and another you closely match will be colored in a different color.
    • The project administrator will group the test results into "Lineages" when two men who share a common ancestor match at 23/25 or better.  (see "Lineage", above)
  • Analyzing your Results at your Worldfamilies.net Project Website: 
    • When you have a match on the Results Page, look to see if the matching test results are listed by earliest known ancestor, to see if you recognize this name from your family tree.
    • Take a look at your project's Patriarchs Page to see if the person whose results you match has posted a pedigree.  You can identify his pedigree by the code identity number which appears at the end of any pedigree that we can match with a test participant.  You will find his contact email address on the first line of the pedigree.  Change the AT to @ to send him an email.
    • If he has not posted a pedigree and you would like to contact him, send an email to your project administrator.  He/she will usually be happy to pass your email along to your match to request that he contact you to share information.
    • You may be contacted by your Project Administer or another test participant to alert you to a match.
    • Your Project Administrator may alert you whenever a new posting is made on the Results Page or the Patriarch Page.  Take a moment to check it out to see if it is of interest to you.
    • How many markers must match to prove or disprove that you share a common ancestor?
    • Here are some guidelines:
      • For those who tested at 12 markers:
        • Matches of less than 9/12 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*
        • Matches of 9/12 - there is a tiny chance that the participants share a common ancestor. You'll need to test at 37 markers to find a true shared genetic match that starts with such a low match. (The author has not yet seen a 9/12 become an accepted genetic match - but has heard of one case)
        • Matches of 10/12 – there is a small chance that the participants share a common ancestor. Increase to 25 markers and re-evaluate
        • Matches of 11/12 and 12/12 – there is an improved chance that the participants share a common ancestor. Increase to 25 markers and re-evaluate
        • CAUTION: a 12/12 match - even with the same surname - can be a random match. If a solid paper trail connects the 12/12 match, you can be reasonably certain of shared ancestry, but without the connecting paper trail - you can only be sure by upgrading to at least 25 markers
      • For those who tested at 25 markers:
        • Matches of less than 21/25 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*
        • Matches of 21/25 & 22/25 – there is a small chance that the participants share a common ancestor. Consider all of the traditional genealogy insights and try to obtain more participants to represent the affected families. Upgrade to 37 markers
        • Matches of 23/25, 24/25 & 25/25 – there is a high probability that participants who share a surname share a common ancestor. If there is no shared paper trail, a comparison at 37 or 67 markers can be useful.
        • You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here
      • For those who tested at 37 markers:
        • Matches of less than 31/37 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*
        • Matches of 31/37 and 32/37 - the two participants have a small possibility that may share a common ancestor from the early days of surnames. This is an area with little clear insight. An upgrade to 67 markers is encouraged
        • Matches of 33/37 - some researchers consider this to be a match and some don't. If there is a shared common ancestor - it will be more than a few 100s of years ago. Upgrade to 67 markers for additional clarity.
        • Matches of 34/37, 35/37, 36/37 & 37/37 - the participants share a recent common ancestor
        • You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here
      • For those who tested at 67 markers:
        • Matches of less than 60/67 – the two participants probably do not share a common ancestor*. This is still being studied - but unless your match is nearly 60/67 and you have some reason to believe there is a shared ancestor since the advent of surnames - you should consider your near miss as "no match"
        • Matches of 60/67 and 61/67 - the two participants may share a common ancestor from the early days of surnames. This is still being studied
        • Matches of 62/67 and better - researchers consider these to be a match - indicating a shared common ancestor
        • You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here
        What if you have NO matches?
                • This means that you do not share a common ancestor with any of the other men tested so far in the project. If you believe that your pedigree is completely accurate and that there have been no "non-paternity" events in your line, it also means that your ancestral line does not share a common ancestor with any of the men tested so far in the project However, you'll need a confirming result from a second man to be certain on this point. (If you find and test a man descended from a different son of your earliest ancestor, and if the two of you match - you'll know the DNA of your most recent common ancestor. You'll also know the DNA of every ancestor between you and that common ancestor.)  So here are the steps you can take: 
                • Upgrade, if needed, to at least 37 markers  (Most of the mutations may be in the first markers.)
                • Test your most distant known cousin to confirm your genetic results.
                • Test a known descendant of a family you think you match or of a family living in the area where yours lived who was closely associated with your family (possible unrecorded adoption).
                • Join your Geographic and Haplogroup Projects   
                • Be Patient.  The person who will match you and help unlock your genealogy may decide to be tested at some point in the future.  When he does, your results and pedigree will already be available and ready to help you make the connection you desire!  
                   
                  At this point, you may decide you need to upgrade.  Learn more about upgrades.
                    
                  *We mean a common direct paternal ancestor within the historical period of surnames." 
      Frequently Asked Questions About Results

 

Understanding What Your Matches Mean

You can learn more about your results and your matches on the following pages: 

 

 

Tips for Contacting Your Matches

  • Don't "bother" 12 marker matches
    • Most researchers do not consider 12 markers enough to be conclusive
    • Unless it's your only, or an important match, then ask them to join you in upgrading to see if the match holds.
  • Tell them...
    • Who you are
    • How you match
    • Who specifically that you match
    • Your ancestry
  • Ask them
    • For their help
    • To define their ancestry
    • To work together
  • Things you can do to help the project that will also help your own research
    • Make use of the "Tell a Friend" feature in the left sidebar of the website to increase interest in your project, and encourage project members to do so as well
    • Encourage every researcher you work with to contact their own circle of researchers - and to make the same requests of them to participate and to contact their circle of researchers.
    • Recruit representatives of specific families that are important to your family project
    • Utilize your Family Historical Society, Family Reunion, or other organization of your family name to help you find interest, participants and support.
    • Post notices on the Surname Boards and Forums such as GenForum.  There are some good ways and some bad ways to do this.   Lauren Boyd posted a message: "How to win friends and influence List Admins" on Genealogy-DNA-L that spells out appropriate ways to use the forums, boards & lists.
    • Use the Surname Forums at WFN Forums or the  Family Tree DNA Forum
    • Be polite when approaching New Testers
      • Know a few previous generations of their line.
      • Show desire to determine a specific relationship or crumble a brick wall. 
      • Ask if there is a family genealogist. 
      • Offer to check your database for your family. 
      • Refrain from mentioning DNA initially.  In fact, be prepared to have several conversations before mentioning DNA testing.
    • Learn more about how to unite with your matches to discover your history.

 Frequently Asked Questions About Results