Frequently Asked Questions

written by WorldFamilies.net
special thanks to Walter J. Freeman, Ph.D. for his contributions

You may also find useful information at Family Tree DNA's Frequently Asked Questions. Click Here

 

 

 

Understanding Genetic Genealogy

 

What is genealogy?

Genealogy is: “an account or history of the descent of a person or family from an ancestor; enumeration of ancestors and their children in the natural order of succession; a pedigree. It is also the regular descent of a person or family from a progenitor; pedigree; lineage” (Webster's Dictionary)
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What is Genetic Genealogy?

The latest tool for genealogists utilizing DNA to aid genealogical research
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I'm new to genealogy, how do I get started?

Start by asking family members for information on your family. Someone may have already compiled a portion or even a significant amount of your family. There may be a family bible with births, marriages & deaths. Older family members may recall information that you can compile. As a first step, prepare a chart showing your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc., reaching back as far as you can find information. Begin collecting the following information as a minimum: full name, date and place of birth, marriage and death. Add to your collection of information as you learn more. Here is an easy-to-use, free genealogy software that provides a way for you to collect and compile your information.

One word of advice: document the source of every single piece of information that you obtain (and their source, where given). Most experienced researchers will privately admit that they learned this the hard way and had to later sort out their undocumented collection of earliest materials.
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How do I find other researchers that share my ancestry?

The first place to start your search is within your own extended family, including great-aunts/uncles and second, third or fourth cousins. They may be already researching your family or know a distant relative who has more information. Eventually, you’ll want to seek out any Family Historical Societies and start looking on the Internet. There are several Internet sites that sponsor Surname Forums and Discussion Boards. Two good ones are at RootsWeb and GenForum. Once you find your Surname site, use the search tool to look for your earliest ancestors. And, post a message identifying your early ancestor's), including date and place of birth, spouse, where they lived and any other distinctive information. Make the Subject line as specific as you can. You also should check to see if there are alternate spellings of your surname that also have a site.
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What are the best places to discuss my findings?

The best place to discuss your findings is with someone who is interested. The closer the ancestor is related to you, the more the interest will be within your own family, while distant cousins will share your interest in earlier ancestors. Many people compile their family information and share copies within their close family, or even publish their information. With the advent of the Internet, more and more researchers are compiling and presenting their family information on their websites. Sometimes, there are extensive discussions about early ancestors of general interest on the Surname sites. Family History and Genealogical Societies are great places to share and discuss information. Often, these can be found with a search through Google. We hope you will also post your pedigree and any questions, answers or information you have on the World Families Network Forum.

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Understanding DNA

 

What is DNA?

DNA or DeoxyriboNucleic Acid is the molecule sometimes known as the blueprint of life. It contains the genetic code that exists in each cell of our bodies and is found throughout nature in living things. Genealogists can compare certain sequences or markers on specific chromosomes between living individuals in hopes of finding common ancestors.
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How can DNA testing help genealogy?

For purposes of surname genealogy studies, DNA refers to the 23rd chromosome pair. Females have two x chromosomes, while males have one x and one y chromosome. The y chromosome is passed from father to son and is usually identical from father to son. Occasionally, there is a mutation. Over 1000s of years, these mutations have resulted in distinctive DNA profiles for different families. These differences are the focus of DNA testing in genealogy, often called yDNA.
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My ancestors are all long dead. How do I get their DNA?

Males carry the yDNA of their Surname ancestors, so we test them as representatives of their ancestors.. DNA tests are taken from the living and compared among groups of people. We look for male descendants who share a common surname or surname spelling variant. A single Y-DNA test is not that useful, but can be very revealing when compared to known or suspected cousins. In many cases, yDNA matches among individuals indicate a common male ancestor who may have lived hundreds of years ago, with the “cousins” being completely unknown to one another.
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How does DNA testing work?

The DNA test is typically a cheek swab, which collects tissue cells. The laboratory examines these cells and uses standardized protocols to count the number of repeats of genetic patterns at standardized locations on the DNA helix. A DNA result is a set of repeats (numbers) at particular addresses (markers). By comparing the numbers at the markers, we can determine if a man shares a common ancestor with a second sample. Typically, this is recorded as the number of exact matches and the total number of markers, i.e.: 12/12, 23/25 33/37, etc. Generally, for a greater number of markers, there is a higher reliability and for a closer the match in numbers, there is a closer relationship.
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How conclusive is DNA testing?

The typical researcher is interested in specific individuals in a specific family tree, while DNA testing evaluates common ancestry. By itself, a DNA test cannot confirm that a specific individual is the ancestor of the test participant.

However, DNA testing can confirm that two test participants share a common ancestor. When combined with traditional genealogy, DNA results can aid in reconstructing genealogies and can confirm or refute specific relationships, including descent from specific ancestors, with a high degree of confidence. The most useful comparisons are between men who have closely matching yDNA patterns and who have also established paper trails (genealogies).

DNA testing can be conclusive in proving that a male from an earlier generation is NOT an ancestor. The degree of certainty is a function of genealogies of the participants who document the earlier male.
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Can I use DNA testing in lieu of other research?

DNA testing should be used as a supplement to traditional research. It has a limited value when used alone.
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Who should get tested?

Anyone who is interested in confirming their surname ancestry should consider DNA testing. A male can represent himself and his surname family, while a female will need to arrange for a male relative to represent her and her family.

Sooner or later, in researching a family tree, we all get to the point where the paper records become scarce to non-existent. Perhaps we have several possibilities or much circumstantial evidence as to whom the next ancestor in a line may be, but no way to determine which is which. DNA testing may be just the thing to help to break down some of those “brick walls,” which sooner or later, we all face.
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Understanding DNA Testing

 

Why should I get tested?

You should get tested if it will aid in defining the DNA profile of your surname ancestors. When your DNA profile is combined with another descendant of a common ancestor, it can define the DNA profile of that earlier ancestor. When combined with your brother’s result, your test will define the common ancestor (your father). When combined with a 5th cousin’s DNA, your result will define the result of your gggg-grandfather.

For a man who has already had a close relative tested, there may be little value in his additional testing unless there are specific questions to be answered.

Of particular concern are the sole surviving male representatives of a family line. Once they are gone, their family cannot be directly represented. These men are particularly important to their family study and should be strongly considered for testing. Many families already have stories of DNA testing a family member who has since died, or of not getting a test on a family member before they passed on.
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How useful will DNA testing be for me?

The answer will vary for each individual. For a man with a distinctive DNA profile who matches into a family whose profile has already been established, the result can be quite useful, as it can confirm his family and leave only the question of which members are his actual direct ancestors. For the man whose result matches multiple distinct families of the same surname, the result can be ambiguous. For the man who fails to match any other participant, the result can be quite frustrating. Over time, as additional markers and participants are added, we can hope that results for the latter two become as useful as they are for the first case.
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Once I've decided to be tested, how do I choose a test?

You have a choice of two basic tests in the genetic genealogy field: yDNA for the male (paternal) line and mtDNA for the female (maternal line).

  • 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 maternal line.
  • You can also order a combination test for a man, which analyzes his yDNA and mtDNA.

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.

Here 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)

How much does it cost?

Testing cost varies. If you know the surname you should match, you can probably get by with 25 markers. We have noticed that most folks who are serious about their genealogy will end up with at least 37 markers and possibly 67. If you are trying to match to a different surname without a paper trail – you will need at least 37 markers and will likely benefit from 67. One approach is to start with as many markers as you can comfortably afford and then upgrade later, as the need arises. You also have the possibility of going in steps, upgrading a bit at a time. Prices:

12 markers $99
25 markers $148
37 markers $189
67 markers $269

Upgrades from one test to the next are $49. (37 to 67 is a two step increase and is $99)
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Where should I go to get tested?

The best way to be tested is as part of a Surname DNA Project. As there are some differences in the markers tested by the various testing companies, it is quite helpful to obtain a test from the same testing company as other men with your surname. When a Surname Project has not already been started, consideration should be given to starting one.
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How do you protect my privacy?

Our approach is to separate the person providing the dna testing from the reported information. We give that person a number. Only the person ordering the kit, the project administrators, and the FTDNA staff know his identity. Or, you can completely hide the test representative's name or address - by using a dummy name and by sending the kit to the sponsor's home.

We report the dna results and tie them to the earliest known ancestor, the family pedigree (which stops around 1900), and the researcher associated with the test. It is up to the reseacher to divulge more info.

We will blind copy or forward a request for contact, but won't give out contact info.

The individual has the ability to allow comparisons only within the project. To completely conceal your identity, one approach is to list only the earliest known ancestor.

FTDNA has a good section on Privacy

What will my results look like?

The appearance varies by testing company, but the critical information typically comes in a simple table. The result is primarily a listing of the markers that have been tested, plus a number for each marker. Click here to see the results for Participants of Barton Lineage II Project. (The Markers are listed in the first two gray rows, while results for Participants A-48, B-2, … are shown in rows down the chart.)
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How do I interpret my results?

Generally, you interpret your results by comparing them with the results of other participants. (See Compare and Analyze Your Results.
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How do I compare my results to other people?

Results are compared by tabulating the number of “matches” you have with one other participant. A comparison for a low-resolution test might give a result of 8/12, 11/12 or 12/12, while higher resolution tests might give a 23/25, a 25/26 or a 34/37 result. (If you have a 37 marker test and are comparing with someone who had a 12 marker test, the best result that you can have with them is 12/12)

In the Barton Lineage II example, A-48 and B-2 are 26/26 matches, which indicates that they share a common early ancestor. The same A-48 is a 25/26 match to B-4, B-33 & C-17, who are only 24/26 matches with each other. All of these men share a common early ancestor. Another example from this page is A-22 and A-52, who are only 4/26 and who do not share a common ancestor.
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I'm female. Can I be tested?

Yes. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) looks at the DNA that both women and men inherit from their mother's side. A mother passes her mtDNA to her children, but only females can pass it on. This represents the mother’s mother’s…mother’s maternal line. Your mtDNA result can be compared with another person’s mtDNA to see if you share a common female ancestor. Anyone can take this test.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests the deep maternal ancestry (think 1000s of years) As mtDNA mutates very slowly, it becomes a link to your distant past - giving you the mtDNA of your mother's mother's ... mother's line. By testing, you learn your haplogroup – which tells you which "branch of woman" you descend from on your maternal side. In addition to learning your Haplogroup, you'll be told of the mutations that are present. These allow you the possibility of locating those with whom you share a maternal heritage. Often, this is too far in the past to be able to link paper trails, but a number of folks have started mtDNA projects to increase the learning. We have a lot of hope for the potential. Learn more about mtDNA.: 

Additionally, you can sponsor a male from your surname family of interest. This allows you to participate in your ancestral surname DNA project. Surname DNA (yDNA) looks at the DNA that a man inherits from his father's (paternal) side. This represents his father’s father’s … father’s line. The y-chromosome (yDNA) results are compared with two or more men to see if they share a common male ancestor. You will need to find a male who shares a common male ancestor with your female ancestor to be y-DNA tested. This male must be directly descended, through males, from your common ancestor. Sometimes you'll have to go back up the family tree and come back down to a living male that shares a x-grandfather with you and carries the surname you want tested.

For example: Did your great grandmother have brothers? Did they have sons? Did their sons have sons?
Did your great-grandmother father have brothers? Did they have sons? Did their sons have sons?
Any one of the men you find with the above questions can represent your 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.html
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Can this test determine paternity?

In some cases, these DNA tests can be used to determine paternity and or questions about siblingship, however, the FTDNA lab is not AABB certified. If the participant needs something that will hold up in court or as proof for any legal purpose, these FTDNA tests will not be appropriate. If you only wanted to know out of curiosity, then it would be fine. Here are some examples given by Thomas, who runs the FTDNA lad in Houston.

Case 1: Two brothers
This can be (partially) solved by a Y-STR analysis. If you can exclude a paternity from another man in the direct male line, this is usually proof enough to confirm paternity. If it is a mismatch this is definitely an exclusion of a common paternity. No sample from the mother is needed.

Case 2: Two sisters:
This case can be solved very nicely with X-STR testing. The two sisters need to match at one allele of their allele pairs at all markers, because the father has only one X chromosome that needs to be inherited to both daughters. A sample from the mother isn't needed, but it could improve the confidence.

Case 3: A brother and a sister.
This is the worst case to resolve. Only autosomal testing is possible because the siblings have different sex chromosomes from their father's side. Without a sample from the mother I would never recommend to try to test DNA because the result will not tell anything useful. Usually the likelihood of a shared paternity (versus unrelated) is smaller than 90% which means in (at least) 10% of the cases you receive the wrong conclusion from the lab. So to really get a satisfactory result you should check Case 4.

Case 4: Three or more siblings of any gender.
With two confirmed siblings you may be able to reconstruct a partial autosomal profile from the father's missing DNA. Then you can compare this reconstructed profile with the third sibling. A sample from the mother is strongly recommended, because it will dramatically increase resolution. To be able to reconstruct enough unique allele combinations"

Right now, these tests are only available to existing FTDNA customers, but they hope to expand that in the near future.
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Are there any downsides to getting tested?

A possible downside is that one may not get the result that one hopes for, or expects. For many people, that will be viewed as additional information and they will continue their research. However, for those individuals where that result causes significant distress, it could be a downside.
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What if I get back results I don't like, such as indications of a non-paternity event?

Non-paternity results did occur and they may be obvious through DNA testing when the result is being compared in a well-documented family.

There are several scenarios that fit into the category of non-paternity event.

  • One, of course, is infidelity, but this may not be the most common
  • Another common event was the unrecorded adoption. As there were many adult deaths on the frontier, children were frequently raised by relatives or friends, with the adoptive parents giving the child their own last name.
  • Another occurrence that fits into this category is the unrecorded name change - which causes the same confusion

Where infidelities or adoptions have long been rumored and now proven, there can be some satisfaction. Where an infidelity or adoption occurred in a well-documented family, identifying it helps in clarifying the DNA profile of descendants. Where the non-paternity event occurs in a family without extensive documentation, it can be very disruptive and prevent the participant from obtaining matches within the surname.
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Will this test tell me about medical conditions?

No. (The DNA evaluated in this test is often called “junk DNA’ because of its lack of medical information.)
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Will it tell me if I'm illegitimate?

Not unless your father is also tested. (There are other DNA tests that consider different markers that are more useful for legitimacy testing.)
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Who has access to my results?

Testing Companies and Surname Projects historically allow the test participant control of access to their identity and disclosure of their results. Confidentiality is paramount in all testing companies listed here. You can share your data publicly on databases by encoding your results with a kit number and an ancestor’s name. This is sufficient for others, who have a genealogical interest to find and to contact you. In this manner, you can share your test data without revealing your identity or the identity of the testee, if it is from some one other than yourself.

Typically, the results are identified by a code. Only you, the Surname Project Coordinator and a small number of employees of the testing company can correlate your identity to your code number.

Most Surname Projects list the results of all participants together in a table, with most only identifying the participant by his code number and/or by the earliest known ancestor. A number of projects allow the participant to self disclose his identity.
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Can insurance companies use my findings against me?

There is nothing in your DNA result that is of interest to an insurance company. Y-DNA testing is extraordinarily specific to just the markers of interest to genealogists. These markers exist in so-called “non-coding” regions of the Y-chromosome. (The DNA evaluated in this test is often called “junk DNA” because of its lack of medical information.) The Y-chromosome contains very little genetic data, and those regions of the Y-chromosome are not tested in any case.
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What about police investigations?

You are not uniquely identified by this DNA testing. Your result cannot be correlated to DNA samples used in police work.
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Will the testing company sell my results to anyone else?

No. Each testing company makes a written commitment to you respecting your privacy. You have to sign a release to even get your results compared to other participants in their database.
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Will I find out I'm a different race?

I am not sure whether this is a hope, a fear, or a curiosity. We have a white American who is absolutely of his paternal heritage once in a great while who has an African result. As the Roman soldiers were from all over their Empire, including Africa, it is easy to imagine an African-born soldier settling in Northern Europe nearly 2000 years ago, taking a local wife and having a son, who had a son, ... and so on. After so many generations, that man looks as Northern European as anyone can,. but still carries the yDNA of that ancient ancestor.
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Ordering a Test

Which company should I choose for testing?

It's completely your choice. Family Tree DNA hosts more Surname DNA Projects than any other testing company. World Families Network has chosen to partner with them because of the value of their unique markers to our tests, their extremely responsive customer service and the additional information and services that come with the actual test.
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How do I order a test from FTDNA?

You can go to the www.worldfamilies.net home page or to your surname project's home page and click on the link that says "Order Test". This will take you to the order page with a link to the Family Tree DNA website.

The order form is in two parts that you can think of as pages.

First Page: 

  • Ordering for yourself
    1. Put your name as the person being tested. This is also the name that will be on the Certificate.  
    2. Fill out the 2-page form, being sure to include your email address
    3. Choose to either pay now, or have an invoice sent to you
  • Ordering for another person
    1. If you want the kit sent directly to the person being tested, list their address.
    2. If you want the kit sent to you, list their name and then put c/o (your name) in the first address box and your regular mailing address, beginning with the second address box.)
    3. Put your email address in the first position, as this is how you will know what is happening. (Be sure the person you sponsor includes your email address if they place the order)
    4. You can list the person your sponsor's email address as the additional address
    5. If you have someone who is terribly concerned about their privacy, you can list your own name in the order or you can list the name of their earliest ancestor. (When the kit isn’t in the tester's name or address, they aren’t associated with the sample other than through your knowledge. )
    • If you want the kit sent to the person being tested, but the certificate sent to you, use this two step method:
      1. Set up the order with their name and mailing address
      2. After the sample is returned and you are given the password to access their personal page at FTDNA, leave their name, but change the mailing address to c/o you and your address.

 

Second Page:

  • You choose to pay by credit card or invoice.
    1. If you pay by credit card - fill out the info - and you're all done.
    2. If you want to pay by check, you list your address in the second page so they can send you the invoice
  • Click here for more information on ordering a test.
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How much do the tests cost?

Testing cost varies. If you know the surname you should match, you can probably get by with 25 markers. We have noticed that most folks who are serious about their genealogy will end up with at least 37 markers and possibly 67. If you are trying to match to a different surname without a paper trail – you will need at least 37 markers and will likely benefit from 67. One approach is to start with as many markers as you can comfortably afford and then upgrade later, as the need arises. You also have the possibility of going in steps, upgrading a bit at a time. Prices:

12 markers $99
25 markers $148
37 markers $189
67 markers $269

Upgrades from one test to the next are $49. (37 to 67 is a two step increase and is $99)
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Which y-DNA test should I order?

Use as many markers as you can comfortably afford. Generally, we recommend starting with either 25 or 37 markers as a trade-off between cost and information. (If cost is a major issue, you can start with 12 markers and upgrade in steps.) If you know the surname you should match, you can probably get by with 25 markers. If you are trying to match to a different surname without a paper trail – you will need 37 markers. Most researchers who are serious about their genealogy have ended up with at least 37 markers – and many are now increasing to 67 markers.

You can go in steps, upgrading a bit at a time - or buy the markers all at once.
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What will I learn from a 12-marker test?

The basic $99 test tells you your deep ancestry (called Haplogroup - think 1,000s and 10,000s of years). The haplogroup will give you an idea of the migrations of your ancestral family from earliest times and can confirm Native American, African or Jewish ancestry.

In addition, you can identify families that do not share a recent common ancestor with you and can usually confirm clear paper trails. It will also provide an indication of the families who may share a recent common ancestor with you.
A 12 marker test is insufficient for broad genealogical purposes, for confirming relationship to families where there is no connecting paper trail, or confirming relations with different surnames. These goals require more markers.
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Which mtDNA test should I order?

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:
mtDNA $129
mtDNA Plus $189
mtDNA Full Sequence $495
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.
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How can I find a male family member to test?

If you are not a male directly descended from the family surname you are trying to research, you will have to find a male to represent your line in the DNA project. This male must be directly descended, through males, from your common ancestor. Sometimes you'll have to go back up the family tree and come back down to a living male that shares a x-grandfather with you and carries the surname you want tested. For example:

  • Did your father have brothers?  Did they have sons?  Did their sons have sons?
  • Did your grandfather have brothers?  Did they have sons?  Did their sons have sons?
  • Did your great-grandfather ... Did your gg-grandfather ... etc

Any one of the men you find with the above questions can represent your family with a yDNA (surname) test.
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Should I combine the y-DNA and mtDNA tests?

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.

    YDNA 12 + mtDNA is $199
    (Actually $11 more expensive than a 12 marker for $99 and then $89 to add mtDNA)

    YDNA 37 + mtDNA Plus is $339
    ($9 less than $189 for 37 and then $159 to add mtDNA Plus)

    YDNA 67 + mtDNA Plus is $409
    ($9 less than $269 for 67 and then $159 to add mtDNA Plus)

    Super DNA (yDNA 67 + mtDNA Full Sequence) for $764
    ($20 more than $269 + $475 to add mt Full sequence)

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Should we test multiple descendants?

You should get tested if it will aid in defining the DNA profile of your surname ancestors. When your DNA profile is combined with another descendant of a common ancestor, it can define the DNA profile of that earlier ancestor. When combined with your brother’s result, your test will define the common ancestor (your father). When combined with a 5th cousin’s DNA, your result will define the result of your gggg-grandfather. For a man who has already had a close relative tested, there may be little value in his additional testing unless there are specific questions to be answered.

Of particular concern are the sole surviving male representatives of a family line. Once they are gone, their family cannot be directly represented. These men are particularly important to their family study and should be strongly considered for testing. Many families already have stories of DNA testing a family member who has since died, or of not getting a test on a family member before they passed on.
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Can I place an order for someone else?

Yes. Make sure you put in the name of the actual test taker in the first screen of the ordering process.

Enter the address the kit and the results will be mailed to. If this is not the address of the test taker put “c/o" the person receiving the kit, on the first address line. You can enter the address on the second line.

If you want the kit sent to one address and the results sent to another address enter the address you want the kit sent to. Once the test taker has received the kit and returned it to our office you may change the address to the one you want the results sent to.

Enter the phone number you wish to use as the contact number for this kit.

Enter the email address(es) you want to be notified of the order and the results. You may enter more than one email address.

Once you have filled out the information on this page click “Continue” and fill out the billing information. Your order will not be processed until you hit the “Confirm” button.
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How do I test for Jewish ancestry?

In order to test for Jewish ancestry, you will need to have just the right connection between the ancestor you believe was Jewish and the person being tested. As the Jewish tradition is handed down through the mother, you would first consider the mtDNA test, which tests your mother's mother's ... mother's maternal ancestry.

For a male Jewish ancestor, you will use the yDNA test. If there is any female in the direct line between the man being tested and this Jewish ancestor, you will be testing some other ancestor's yDNA and will not get what you seek. yDNA is passed from a father to his sons.

Here is a link to FTDNA's page on Jewish ancestry: http://www.familytreedna.com/cj.asp?ftdna_ref=118&html=jgene.html

Here is what FTDNA has to say: "Jewish ancestry is not an exact result. By way of comparison we can see whether or not the direct line being tested is likely to be Jewish in origin. We have the largest Jewish ancestry database of this kind. This comparison is included on the recent ancestral origins page. There are 4 scenarios for individuals who think there may be Jewish origins: mainly matches who have listed Jewish origins (indicates probably of Jewish origins), some matches who have listed Jewish ancestry and some who have not (tougher to call, Bennett can help answer some of these questions), has matches, but not of Jewish origin (probably not Jewish in origin), or no matches at all. The last case, means you're not matching anyone of Jewish origins when compared against the database, but you are also not matching anyone of non-Jewish origins. This is a "wait and see" situation in most cases. There is a Cohen Modal Haplotype that we automatically compare everyone against. It is a 12 marker set of results. If you match this haplotype we put a CMH badge on your personal page which is linked to information on what that means."

We suggest that you work through the Jewish Heritage Project. But, don't click on the link to order yDNA for $149. Instead, click on "Projects" at the top of the page and then scroll down to "Dual Geographic Projects", then click on "J" then "Jewish Heritage Proj"
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How do I test for Native American ancestry?

In order to test for Native American ancestry, you will need to have just the right connection between the ancestor you believe was Native American and the person being tested.

For a female Native American ancestor, you will use the mtDNA test. You will need to locate a person whose mother's mother's ... mother is the targeted Native American. If there is any male in the direct line between the person being tested and this ancestor, you will be testing some other ancestor's mtDNA and will not get what you seek. mtDNA is passed from a mother to her children. Men carry their mother's mtDNA, but cannot pass it on.

For a male Native American ancestor, you will use the yDNA test. You will need to locate a man whose father's father's ... father is the targeted Native American. If there is any female in the direct line between the man being tested and this ancestor, you will be testing some other ancestor's yDNA and will not get what you seek. yDNA is passed from a father to his sons. Women do not carry yDNA at all.

Here is a link to Family Tree's page on Native American Ancestry: http://www.familytreedna.com/cj.asp?ftdna_ref=118&html=ngene.html
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Should I take the mtDNA test or find someone to take a y-DNA test?

If you want to trace back your mother's mother's mother's line, you would use the mtDNA test, which either male or female could take, since you share the same mtDNA. You should be aware, however, that mtDNA is not useful in tracing surnames, as it traces through women, whose surnames change each generation. It is helpful, however, for your deep ancestry, which may give you your geographic and ethnic origins. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) looks at the DNA that either a man or woman inherits from the mother's side. This represents the mother’s mother’s…mother’s line. mtDNA tests the deep maternal ancestry (think 1000s of years) A mother passes her mtDNA to her children, but only females can pass it on. As mtDNA mutates very slowly, it becomes a link to your distant past - giving you the mtDNA of your mother's mother's ... mother's line. By testing, you learn your haplogroup – which tells you which "branch of woman" you descend from on your maternal side. In addition to learning your Haplogroup, you'll be told of the mutations that are present. These allow you to locate those with whom you share a maternal heritage. Often, this is too far in the past to be able to link paper trails, but a number of folks have started mtDNA projects to increase the learning.

Another option open to you to trace any of these family surnames is to find a male family member to test, using the yDNA test. Surname DNA (yDNA) looks at the DNA that a man inherits from his father's (paternal) side. This represents his father’s father’s … father’s line. The y-chromosome (yDNA) results are compared with two or more men to see if they share a common male ancestor. You may have to go up your family tree and come back down to find a living male that shares a common grandfather or great-grandfather or great great grandfather with you and carries the surname you want tested.
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How do I order an upgrade or a SNP test?

You can order an upgrade by:

1. Going to your FTDNA Personal page (You'll need your kit number and password.)

2. Looking toward the top right and locating “Order Tests” (and click on it)

3. Click on "Standard Orders".

4. At the bottom of the page, click on the down arrow to see the range of upgrade choices

5. Select the one you want, confirm your personal info and select method of payment

6. Click “Continue” and complete your order

The Deep SNP test can be ordered by:

1. Going to your FTDNA Personal page

2. Opening "Haplogroup"

3. Click on "Order your Y-DNA SNP test for Deep Sub-clades"

The cost for most folks is $79. Depending on haplogroup, I recall that there may be small price differences
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Which upgrade should I order?

A part of the answer is “what can you afford”? You can upgrade in small increments or do it at one time. Who you match and what you know about them also affects the number of markers needed.

o If you have a paper trail connecting you and another person and you match 24/25 or 25/25 - you can be relatively confident that you share that paper trail common ancestor. This is true whether the man you match has your surname or not - as long as you can connect paper trails. However, if your match is 23/35, you are in a gray zone and should consider upgrading to 37.

o If you have a match to a person of a different surname, you'll need to compare at 37 markers - using the 25 marker matches only as an indication of who is of potential interest.

o If you match at least 34/37, you can be reasonably confident that you share a common ancestor. With a lesser match, you'll then want to compare at 67 markers. That doesn't happen too often, but it can happen - particularly when comparing across surnames.

o If you are in a project and are in a group that matches and shares a common ancestor (we call this a “Lineage”), you’ll want to upgrade to the same number of markers as the other men in the group, as you’ll be looking to see if you can find closer kin within your Lineage.

o 67 markers are nice to have, and you can go straight there (saves a few dollars and some time over getting there in steps) and you’ll be ready to do any comparison that comes along. But it’s ok to reach 67 in steps
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What is a SNP test?

The SNP test identifies which Haplogroup, or major branch of the tree, a male belongs to. The value of it is to identify your branch of the yDNA tree and then to use this information to consult the scientific literature to determine the geographic locations and migrations of your branch. The Deep SNP test can be ordered by:

1. Going to your FTDNA Personal page

2. Opening "Haplogroup"

3. Click on "Order your Y-DNA SNP test for Deep Sub-clades"

4. The cost for most folks is $79. Depending on haplogroup, I recall that there may be small price differences.
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Test Results

When should I expect my results back?

Figure on about 8 weeks from the time you order your kit and you will be prepared for the wait.
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What does my result mean?

When you receive your test results, you will see a table with a string of numbers in the boxes. Each number represents one of the markers on the strand of y-DNA that was tested. Now you want to understand what these numbers mean in comparison to other people's test results. There are several possible results. Here are a few of them and what they mean:

1. You do not match any of the other results in the project: 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.)

2. You have 12/12 matches: One or more of these that have not been upgraded to 25 markers might be meaningful, but there is no way for you to determine this.

3. You matched another participant at 12/12, but now one of you has upgraded to 25 or 37 and you no longer match: If a man on your 12 marker matching list who fails to stay close to you at 25 markers can be discarded as a random match.

4. You have no close matches at either 25 or 37 markers: That indicates that your result is unusual at the 25 and 37 marker level and you can be quite interested in a close match with any man (whatever the surname) at 25 or 37 markers. These should eventually show up.

5. We encourage you to recruit the most distant surname relative you can find and convince him to be tested so that you can identify and confirm the dna profile of your surname line.
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What determines a "match"?

In the simplest case, analyzing results can be a review of the number at each marker to confirm a perfect match (say 25/25). However, in most cases, there will some matches and some mismatches. Results are evaluated by counting the number of exact matches and the number of mismatches. (If the mismatches are one number apart, they are considered a “one step” mutation. If they are two numbers away, they are considered a “two step” mutation, etc. Typically, a two step mutation is counted as two mismatches. In these cases, contact the testing firm for guidance.)
Most researchers want to know if they are "related" to another person or family. Here are some guidelines to help you understand your results when comparing them to other results:

For those who tested at 12 markers:

  1. Matches of less than 9/12 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*

  2. 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)

  3. Matches of 10/12 – there is a small chance that the participants share a common ancestor. Increase to 25 markers and re-evaluate

  4. 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

  5. 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:

  1. Matches of less than 21/25 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here

For those who tested at 37 markers:

  1. Matches of less than 31/37 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Matches of 34/37, 35/37, 36/37 & 37/37 - the participants share a recent common ancestor

  5. You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here

For those who tested at 67 markers:

  1. 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"

  2. 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

  3. Matches of 62/67 and better - researchers consider these to be a match - indicating a shared common ancestor

  4. You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here

*We mean a common direct paternal ancestor within the historical period of surnames."

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How do I compare my results to other people?

Once your results are available, you'll be able to go into your personal page at FTDNA and do a search for yDNA matches. You'll always see all of the other results in your surname - and at that time, you'll be able to select a preference that allows you to compare against all others of all surnames who opt in to the FTDNA internal comparison. (When your results are back, we'll post them on your surname project’s Results page.)
You'll also be able to upload your results to Ysearch (FTDNA's public database - open to all) and see who you match there.

FTDNA will send you automated messages when you have a match (either with only your surname project members or to their internal "opted-in" database) - depending on your selection
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What if I don't "Match Anyone in my Family"

We have heard this question in several contexts - so let's try to capture the variations:

Suggestions:

How do I upload my results to Y-Search from FTDNA?

Go into your personal page at FTDNA and click on “Y-DNA matches”, then look in the middle of the page - at the bottom of the box called "Additional possibilities for searching matches". There is a link to "Click here to upload to Ysearch.org
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What is Y-Search?

Y-Search is the largest worldwide public Y-DNA database with the most extensive number of markers. It allows people who have tested with the different companies to make their results available for comparison.
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What is a "lineage"?

Results included in a "Lineage" share a recent common ancestor since the advent of surnames (circa 1100 AD)

o On the Surname Project Results Page, Lineages are grouped and share a color.

o The result in the Lineage row shows the projected markers for the Lineage's common ancestor (Lineage
Haplotype)

o Each man should match the Lineage result at least 23/25 to be considered a satisfactory match

o Each place where a man does not match the Lineage haplotype is shown in a contrasting color

o Where the ancestral marker cannot be projected, a question mark is shown instead

o When 12 marker results are shown in a Lineage group - this is preliminary. An upgrade to at least 25 markers
is needed to confirm that this 12 marker result actually shares the Lineage common ancestor.

o Results shown in a general grouping do not share a common ancestor if they are shown in a different color.

o A 12 marker match may be shown in the same color, but will not be declared as a Lineage until two results are
matching at least 23/25.
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What is the Earliest Known Ancestor (EKA)?

As the name suggests, this is the person who is the farthest back of your family tree that you have been able to trace through a paper trail. When your results are returned at Family Tree DNA, you will be given your own personal page. There will be an orange tab on that page that is marked "Setup Preferences". Click on that and you will go to the page that lets you select your preferences in how you want your matches set and displayed. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the section marked "Displaying the Most Distant Known Ancestor" . There you can fill in your earliest known ancestors. When we know the EKA of a participant, we use that name in displaying test results on the "Results" page.
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What is a line leader?

A Line Leader is responsible for all of the research and information on his family. Ideally, this is all of the descendants of an immigrant, but reality will tell you what the family span actually is. As you and others start matching (and not), you will break into genetic groups working together to understand the full story of your family. Hopefully, this will extend to families whose paper trails connect into the Home Country, which will give you a fresh research focus. You'll be the lead in deciding how to include newly found cousins and will work to resolve the inevitable conflicts that rise. The better you are in making everyone feel valued and included, and in sharing the work, the stronger your research group will be.

As a convention, we show the Line Leader on the row with the Earliest Known Ancestor and Branch Leader at the row where their responsibility begins, while DNA tests are shown attached to the last generation of the family display in the pedigree.

Probably, there will be Branch Leaders, focusing on distinct branches. If your family is like mine, you'll have a large collection of families with the same DNA who don't know how they are connected. In this situation – someone will need to become Lineage Leader. In larger families, we group pedigrees on the Patriarch page by Lineage.
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Can I correlate my mtDNA results to others in my maternal line?

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.

Worldfamilies.net site with more information about mtDNA
FamilyTreeDNA site with more information about mtDNA

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Can I remove my test results from the database at some later time?

Yes. Just like an email list, if you decide that you want your data deleted from the database, you may email FTDNA, they will look up your ID number, and ask that it be deleted from the Database.
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What is a haplogroup?

A group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a SNP mutation. Because a haplogroup consists of similar haplotypes, this is what makes it possible to predict a haplogroup. A SNP test confirms a 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. Haplogroups pertain to your deep ancestral origins dating back thousands of years.
For a description of the migration patterns and ethnic origins of each group, take a look at Charles Kerchner's webpage: http://www.kerchner.com/haplogroups-ydna.htm
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What does a "haplogroup match" mean?

Haplogroups (Haplo) is a grouping by deep ancestry (think 1000s and 10,000s of years). Men with the same Haplogroup do share a common ancestor - but he lived a long time ago. Haplogroup matches give you an idea of where men with your dna result report as their origins.

Haplogroups are distinct separations. I is totally different than R. An R1b is very different that an R1a, but an R1b, R1b1 and R1b1c are just different levels of reporting detail and do go together. I and either I1a or I1b can go together but I1a and I1b cannot.
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Why are haplogroups shown in different colors on the results page?

If the participant was SNP tested, his haplogroup will show in green. If he has not been SNP tested, FTDNA may have made an estimate of his haplogroup based on his 12/12 match to someone who has been SNP tested. In this case, the haplogroup will show in red, indicating that it is an estimate.
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Will my results be automatically compared to other surnames?

Once your kit is returned, you have access to your personal page at FTDNA, giving you access to some info. However, you do not have access to most parts of the FTDNA structure until your results are in. Joining additional projects and comparisons outside the project are not automatic.

Once your results are returned, you have much more access and options. You will be able to adjust your preferences, determining whether you compare to results outside of the project. You can also list your earliest known paternal ancestor (relates to your yDNA test) and your earliest known maternal ancestor (relates to your mtDNA test - if you have one) At this time, you may join additional projects, such as a second surname project, a geographic project, a y-haplogroup project, and if applicable - a mtDNA haplogroup project. (these are all in addition to your original surname project). You can also upload your results to Ysearch and upload a gedcom.
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How do I present my results on the internet?

Each testing company has a password-protected page for presenting the results of the Surname Project. Family Tree DNA has a free-access page for their projects. For some surname projects, this is sufficient. It is certainly an easy way to start. Many Surname Projects present their results on a dedicated site or on free pages that they arrange. Surname projects at World Families Network have a Results page as part of the project's 6-page website. The results are shown there, identified by a code identity number and the earliest known ancestor (if known), with results that match grouped by color, and eventually separated into lineages.
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Surname DNA Projects

What is a Surname DNA project?

Since y-DNA correlates so closely with the surname (both y-DNA and surnames are passed down from father to son), a surname DNA project is a good place to look for genetic relatives. By using the results of DNA testing, along with other information and family pedigrees, participants can identify those with whom they share a common ancestor.
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Why join a Surname DNA project?

A surname DNA project can help you confirm relationships identified by traditional genealogy, to locate related families lost through the passage of time, and to identify the origin of the family’s early ancestors. The aim for many participants is to identify a participant's) who "matches" their test results, and who can help them find the paper trail that leads further back up the family tree.

Large surname projects may work to catalog all known families carrying the surname. As many surnames have evolved over time, a common approach is to open a surname proje