Our project is open to any Whalen, Whelan, Phelan or variant male, or to any man believing that he is descended from one of those names. Participants are sought from all parts of the world. The tested individual must be a male who wants to check his paternal line (father's father's ... father's line). Females should look for a brother or cousin or more distant male relative with the surname they want be test. Females can also order a test for themselves, which will be the mtDNA or mtDNAPlus, but the results of their test do not tie to the Whalen-O'Faolain yDNA Project.
Click here to place an order through the Whalen-O'Faolain Project for a DNA test at Family Tree DNA
Which Surname (yDNA) Test?
- If you are trying to match to a family without a paper trail - 37 markers is the minimum. 67 will be helpful in most cases
- If you are only interested in your "deep ancestry" (haplotypei) or in proving that you don't share a common ancestor with a specific family, 12 markers are adequate. 12 markers are usually sufficient to confirm solid paper trails, though it is of interest to the Whalen-O'Faolain Project what the mutation rate would be at 37 markers or more, between to men with a solid paper trail.
- If you are serious about your genealogy - you'll probably end up with at least 67 markers.
yDNA Test Prices at FTDNA with a discount through the Whalen-O'Faolain Project:
- 67 marker test $248
- 37 marker test $149
- 25 marker test is $124
- 12 marker screening test is $99
Add $4 for US postage or $6 for international postage
Upgrades from one test to the next are $49. (except - 37 to 67 is a two step increase and is $99) You can go in steps, upgrading a bit at a time - or buy the markers all at once.
Click here to place an order through the Whalen-O'Faolain Project for a DNA test at Family Tree DNA
What are the specifics?
The test will be conducted by Family Tree DNA, of Houston TX, the World's leading testing company for Surname DNA Projects. All tests include an estimate of the "Haplogroup" (an indication of deep ancestry).
We personally recommend the largest number of markers that you can afford. We expect that most serious researchers will eventually upgrade to 37 or 67 markers - if they don't start there.
The test is a simple cheek swab. The kit will arrive and leave your house by mail. You simply follow the instructions. (You'll rub the inside of your cheek a number of times with a special scraper, put the kit back into the envelope, sign the release and put the completed sample in the mail. )
What do I do if I have questions?
1. Please read DNA Testing the Smart Way at World Families Network.
2. Please read the Freq Asked Questions at World Families Network.
If you still have questions, contact one of the Project Administrators
