Find the Right DNA Test

Two Basic Choices:  You have a choice of two basic tests in the genetic genealogy field: 

• yDNA for the male (paternal) line
  (To learn more about yDNA, click here.)
  

• mtDNA for the female (maternal line).
  (To learn more about mtDNA, click here.)

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.

A male can order a combination test, which analyzes both his yDNA and his mtDNA.

A female can participate in a yDNA surname project by sponsoring a male from the surname family of interest. This male must be directly descended, through males, from her common ancestor. Sometimes she'll have to go back up the family tree and come back down to a living male that shares a x-grandfather and carries the surname she wants tested.

• For example: Did her father have brothers? Did they have sons? Did their sons have sons?
  Did her grandfather have brothers? Did they have sons? Did their sons have sons?
  Did her great-grandfather have brothers?  Did they have sons?... and so on back up your family tree.
  Any one of the men she finds with the above questions can represent her 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 

Follow our Step-by-Step Guide!

DNA TESTING THE SMART WAY

1. Find and join a project .
2. Find the right test.
3. Order a test.
4. Access Personal Page.
5. Post your pedigree.
6. Receive your results.
7. Update Personal Page.
8. Understand your results.
9. Upgrade, if needed.
10. Join forces with your kin!

Choose the right test: 

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)
• A female can participate in a yDNA surname project by sponsoring a male from the surname family of interest. This male must be directly descended, through males, from her common ancestor.

Which yDNA Test?

• If you are trying to match to a different surname without a paper trail - we recommend 37 markers as a minimum. 67 can be helpful. 
  1.   If you know the surname you should match, you can probably get by with 25 markers, but many folks want 37 or 67 to get the clearer insight.
  2.   If you are only interested in your "deep ancestry" (haplotype) or in proving that you don't share a common ancestor with a specific family, 12 markers are adequate.
  3.   We also tell folks that if they are serious about their genealogy - that they will end up with at least 37 markers – and probably wind up at 67.
  4.   You can go in steps, upgrading a bit at a time - or buy the markers all at once. Prices for tests ordered through a project.

  Order Test

Which mitochondrial (mtDNA) Test?   

• 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 Test Prices at FTDNA 

  (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.) 

Order Test 

What if I combine my yDNA and mtDNA test orders?

• 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 - so check the pricing. You may want to order one test, then immediately order an upgrade for the second.  

How do I fill out FTDNA’s order form?

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

First Page:  

• Ordering for yourself

• Put your name as the person being tested. This is also the name that will be on the Certificate.  
• Fill out the 2-page form, being sure to include your email address
• Choose to either pay now, or have an invoice sent to you
• Ordering for another person
  • If you want the kit sent directly to the person being tested, list their address.
  • 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.)
  • 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)
  • You can list the person your sponsor's email address as the additional address
  • 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:
  • Set up the order with their name and mailing address
  • 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.
  • If you pay by credit card - fill out the info - and you're all done.
  • If you want to pay by check, you list your address in the second page so they can send you the invoice.