The basic science: The yDNA test is used for testing males only, but females can make use of this test if they can convince a male relative to participate. The yDNA test uses information from the y-chromosome, which is passed from father to son, essentially unchanged. (If there were no changes, each man would have exactly the same yDNA as "Adam" and with each other.) This test is only useful in testing the male participant's father's father's ... father's line. As this line is associated with Surnames in western societies, it is pretty easy to visualize - and to track through genealogy. All men who share the same "common ancestor" will carry essentially the same yDNA and receive tests resultsi that are also essentially the same.
Haplogroups: Fortunately, there are random and subtle changes that allow us to see differences in different "genetic families". Using these differences, scientists have been able to group all men into major branches called "Haplogroups". These can be arranged into a "family tree of man" that shows the different branches that have separated over 1000s and 10,000s of years. Each man today can be assigned to a Haplogroup, which tells him the "deep ancestry". Many men's haplogroupi can be estimated by looking at their results, while others have to have a test done called the "SNP testi" (pronounced "snip")
Mutations: yDNA is passed from father to son "essentially unchanged". However, on a random, but predictable basis for a large group, minor changes occur that we call "mutations". We cannot predict when these mutations will occur in an individual family, but we do know that a mutation that occurs in one man will be passed on to his sons - and that they will pass it on to their sons, and so on .... These mutations have occurred through the centuries, giving us the Haplogroups mentioned above, These mutations occur with a frequency that makes them particularly useful in genealogy. (Our genealogical paper trails usually extend a few hundred years, with a fortunate minority having paper trails reaching back 400 years or so. And, there a very few who have paper trails reaching back as much as 1000 years or more.) As surnames emerged into general usage around 1100 to 1200 A.D. (and later), we are able to correlate the yDNA results to Surnames in many cases. By examining the closeness of the results, we can draw conclusions on which men share a common ancestor and estimate (but with a disappointingly wide range) when this common ancestor would have lived.
Results: the results are generated by examining the genetic material at specific "addresses" which scientists know how to find. A count is made of repeating patterns at each address. yDNA results are reported as a string of numbers, with each number representing the count at a specific address. By comparing the closeness of the string of numbers, we can determine an approximate time back to the two men's common ancestor. As an example: one man may have an 11 at specific address, while another man who shares the same common ancestor may have a 12 at the same address. This means that somewhere in the line of one of these men - and after their most recent common ancestor - a mutation occurred to change the count at that address for one of the men's family, but not the other.
Test Options: you can be tested at different "resolution" levels. These vary slightly from one testing company to the next, in count, in cost and in which specific addresses are examined. This explanation is for Family Tree DNA (FTDNAi), the testing company that World Families Network recommends. FTDNA strongly encourages group testing - often called a "Surname Project". Other examples of a group project are the Clan, Family, Geographic, Regional and Ethnic projects. This encouragement is particularly reflected in the test prices. The prices you find on FTDNA's home page are $50 to $80 higher than the group rates obtained by a project.
| TEST RESOLUTION | MARKERS | GROUP RATE | COST for an INDIVIDUAL | BEST USE | COMMENTS |
| Basic | 12 | $99 | $149 | Getting started, defining haplogroup, proving "Not Related" | Upgradeable. Usually inadequate for genealogical purposes. |
| Medium | 25 | $148 | N/A | Comparison with families known to be related | Upgradeable. Available only through projects. |
| High | 37 | $189 | $259 | Comparison with families not known to be related; searching for "Branches" within genetic families | Standard test for many surname projects |
| Extra High | 67 | $269 | $349 | Detailed assessment of genetic family structure | The ideal test if you can afford it |
Notes:
- Each test includes the markers in the tests listed above it, plus additional markers
- Add $2 for shipping and handling in the USA; add $4 for all other countries
- You can upgrade from the 12 to 25 test and from the 25 to 37 test for $49 for each (reusing the original sample)
- The cost to upgrade from 37 to 67 markers is $99
- Upgrades are more expensive when not ordered through a project
Finding a Project: Click here to Search for your Surname.
- If there is a project at FTDNA, then you can order there and be tested at the group rates.
- If there is not a project at FTDNA, contact Terry and he'll be glad to get one set up for you.
Click here to go to FTDNA and Learn more about your paternal side
