Frequently Asked Questions About Results
Most researchers want to know if they
are "related" to another person or family.
(This is the fun part!)
Here are some guidelines to help you understand your results when comparing them to others.
Compare your results.
Family Tree
DNA
makes
results
available to participants both electronically and by regular
mail. When the lab completes a test, they upload the results to
their database and notify you via e-mail that the results are
available online. The online results are accessed from the login
box on
FTDNA’s
home page. A
certificate and a report are sent by regular mail. The
certificate contains the name of the tested individual, the
results, and, in the case of the Native American or Cohanim
test, shows whether the results were positive or negative. To
see examples of the certificates, click
here
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 alleles (markers) on the strand of y-DNA that was tested.
| PANEL 1 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOCUS |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
| DYS# |
393
|
390
|
19
|
391
|
385a
|
385b
|
426
|
388
|
439
|
389-1
|
392
|
392-2
|
| ALLELES |
12
|
24
|
14
|
10
|
11
|
15
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
29
|
Now you want to understand what these numbers mean in comparison to other people's test results. There are several ways to compare your results to others:
The Surname Project Results Page at Worldfamilies.net:
- We will post your (and everyone else’s) test results on the Results page of your surname project’s website.
- The first column is "ID", which is a number assigned to track the individual within the project.
- The "Name" column is intended to list the "Earliest Known Ancestor" - which we prefer. If we can't find this in the field in "Preferences" or through a pedigree, we shorten the first names to initials.
- Haplogroups (abbreviated as
"Haplo" in the Results table):
- A Green Haplogroup result was determined by actual testing - with a SNP test (pronounced "snip")
- A Red Haplogroup result has been estimated by FTDNA - using their internal database. In order for them to predict a haplogroup, there must be a 12/12 match to a SNP tested result
- A Black Haplogroup estimate was determined by some other estimating procedure
- Sometimes, there is no haplogroup estimate - which is shown with a "-". In those cases, FTDNA will (at their expense - and on their own timetable) arrange for a SNP test to determine the haplogroup
- Lineage:
- A Lineage is "declared" when two men are matching 23/25 or better. A "Lineage" is a genetic family who share a recent common ancestor. The men in the Lineage "match".
- Results shown together in a color group and assigned to a Lineage share a "recent" common ancestor - generally since the advent of surnames (c1100) and probably in the last 2-400 years - or less. The common ancestor could be the earliest ancestor on the oldest pedigree or could have lived as little as one generation earlier - or could have lived centuries earlier than any of the known ancestors.
- The coloration of a Lineage is simply to show matching. A specific color has no meaning - other than showing the match.
- Mutations:
- Mutations from the typical result (which is probably the haplotype of the common ancestor) are shown in a contrasting color.
- Where the mutation is matching a mutation from another result within the Lineage, the match likely indicates a more recent shared common ancestor (or a "branch" within the Lineage.) - as the two men probably both inherited the mutation from a recent common ancestor.
- Mutations with no match have no significance at this time- but may be useful at some futuredate.
- For general information on Results
Comparing your results at FamilyTreeDNA
-
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.
-
You'll also 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. (See
"Personal Page--Stage 2--Upgrade)
-
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.
-
You can manually upload
your results into a public database:
www.ybase.org
- You may be contacted by your Project Administer or another test participant to alert you to a match.
Analyze your results.
After the excitement of finding a match with one or more other test participants, you'll want to know what that means.
How many markers must match to prove or disprove that you share a common ancestor? Here are some guidelines:
- For those who tested at 12
markers:
- Matches of less than 9/12 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*
- 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)
- Matches of 10/12 – there is a small chance that the participants share a common ancestor. Increase to 25 markers and re-evaluate
- 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
- 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:
- Matches of less than 21/25 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*
- 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
- 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.
- You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here
- For those who tested at 37
markers:
- Matches of less than 31/37 – the two participants do not share a common ancestor*
- 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
- 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.
- Matches of 34/37, 35/37, 36/37 & 37/37 - the participants share a recent common ancestor
- You may also refer to the chart prepared by Family Tree DNA: Click Here
- For those who tested at 67
markers:
- 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"
- 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
- Matches of 62/67 and better - researchers consider these to be a match - indicating a shared common ancestor
- 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."
For more information on understanding your results, click here.
At this
point, you may decide you need to upgrade. Learn
more about upgrades.
Learn
how to unite with your matches to discover your history.
