Glossary: Genealogy

allele

The scientific result for a marker, shown as a number.

code identity number

Usually consists of the first letter of the surname project and a number. (Example: B-12). Used to protect your identity when posting results and aids in correlating test results and pedigrees.

DYS

The assigned number of a marker on a segment of the Y-chromosome. Example: DYS#393

FTDNA

Family Tree DNA Testing Company

GEDCOM

Geneological Data Communications, a plain text program created for exchanging genealogical data between different genealogical programs. Family Tree DNA's 'My FTDNA' page, Y-Search and Mitosearch all contain a feature to upload a GEDCOM for pedigree comparisons to matches.

Genographic Project

A five-year scientific genetics project launched in 2005 to study and map human migratory patterns. The project offers a 12-marker Y-chromosome or HVR1 mtDNA test for public participation. Genographic participants have the option to join Family Tree DNA's database once their DNA results are in.

haplogroup

A group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor. A SNP test confirms a haplogroup. Haplogroups are assigned letters of the alphabet, and refinements consist of additional number and letter combinations, Example: R1b1. Haplogroups pertain to your deep ancestral origins dating back thousands of years.

haplotype

a series of alleles (markers) at specific locations on a chromosome that are transmitted together. Haplotypes are also known as signatures. A group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a SNP mutation is called a haplogroups.

haplogroup match

A grouping of those who share the same haplogroup to determine the deep ancestry of the participants. Men with the same haplogroup do share a common ancestor, but he lived a long time ago (think thousands and tens of thousands of years.) Haplogroup matches give you an idea of the migrations and ethnic origins of your ancestors.

HVR

Hyper Variable Region. The sections of non-coding mitochondrial DNA that are used for genealogical DNA testing.

ISOGG

International Society of Genetic Genealogy, a free society founded in 2005 for the promotion and education of genetic genealogy.

line leader

The person in the project who is responsible for co-ordinating the research and information on his branch of the family, by connecting paper trails, deciding how to include new test results, and helping resolve conflicts when they occur.

lineage

Persons whose DNA test results show that they share a recent common ancestor since the advent of surnames (circa 1100 AD).

mutation

A change in the DNA that occurs at random. In genetic genealogy, a mutation is usually beneficial, as mutations on the y-chromosome are often used in distinguishing different ancestral lines.

non-paternity event

The genetic results of an individual do not match those of his surname, due to some event in the past, such as an unrecorded adoption, an unrecorded name change, or an infidelity.

personal page

Your page at FTDNA where you can list your contact information, earliest known ancestors, join additional projects, and choose how and where to compare your results.

results

A table from the testing company showing a listing of the markers that have been tested, with a number for each marker. These results are posted at FTDNA and on the Results Page of your surname DNA project.

site search

Allows you to search the entire website for a particular name or word.

SNP

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (pronounced "snip"); a SNP test confirms your haplogroup by determining if a SNP has mutated from its ancestral state. A SNP is usually found on a different area of the Y-chromosome than where the YSTR markers are.

SNP test

Identifies which Haplogroup, or major branch of the tree, an individual belongs to, which allows the participant to use this information to consult the scientific literature to determine the geographic locations and migrations of his/her branch.

testing kit

The swabs sent to you by FTDNA to rub the inside of your cheek to obtain skin cells which will be tested for your DNA.

X-chromosome

The female gender chromosome. If a child receives one X from the father and one X from the mother, the child's gender is female.

Y-BASE

A free public database sponsored by DNA Heritage where Y-chromosome DNA results from any testing facility may be uploaded and compared.

Y-Search

A free database sponsored by Family Tree DNA where Y-chromosome DNA results from any testing facility may be uploaded and compared.