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Pedigrees Pedigree Info at FTDNA  Pedigree for Project's website Pedigree FAQ

 

Step 3: Pedigrees

Why Your Pedigree is Important

You paid for the test--now do the rest. 

Let your matches know about your family tree!

Although DNA testing can confirm that two test participants share a common ancestor, it must be combined with traditional genealogy to gain the maximum benefit for the genealogist.

In order to share what you know about your yDNA ancestry, you need to input your ancestral information in two places:

How to input your ancestral information at FTDNA

How to submit your ancestral information (pedigree) for your project’s website at WorldFamilies.net

 

  • What is a pedigree?  It is the family tree that has been constructed for your family line through traditional genealogy.  This is the paper trail that has been constructed through research into public records (birth certificates, death certificates, wills, deeds, ship passenger lists, marriage certificates, and other documents) and other verifying data (letters,family Bibles, diaries, and other documents). 

                        
                         

  • It is through comparing paper trails with those whom you match that the connection is made and new generations are added to your pedigree.

  • DNA testing can confirm that two test participants share a common ancestor. Paper trails (pedigrees) are needed to find which ancestor, when, and where.

  • What is a "stripped down" pedigree?  The pedigree as used in Surname DNA Projects and on the WorldFamilies.net project websites consists of a straight succession from the earliest known male ancestor in the participant’s surname line, continuing through the direct male ancestor in each generation, down to the present male participant.

John Doe, b 1790 MA, m Mary Brown (EKA)
         John Doe Jr. b 1820 Boston MA, m Jane Smith
                   John Doe III, b 1850 Philadelphia PA, m Sarah Jones
                        Thomas Doe, b 1880 Philadelphia PA, m Mary Williams
                                   Samuel Doe, b 1910 VA, m Anne Taylor
                                                 Kit 99999

  • Pedigrees for mtDNA Haplogroup Projects focus on the mtDNA maternal line, but are not as easy to trace, as female surname tend to change with each generation.

  • Autosomal DNA (Family Finder) looks at the group of surnames that make up your ancestry for the last 5 generations. 

 

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