The steps outlined below are the suggested method to go about
having your DNA tested and getting the maximum from the results.
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Since Y-Chromosome DNA testing can only be done on a male
then if you are a female you must find a living male descendant of the line
that you want tests done on. Get the consent of the person that you want
tested so that you don't cause family problems with someone who wants
nothing to do with it.
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Write down the full name, date of birth and death and
location of your earliest known male ancestor for the line that you want to
follow.
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Determine if Surname group exists for the surname that
you want the tests done for. The easiest way to do this is to go to
WorldConnect and search for any person with the surname that you wish to
follow and when the search is done there should be a link on the right side
of the screen for "DNA Ancestry". Click on this link and it will show what exists for
this surname. Since many surnames have variations, you may find that the
name you want is part of another group. This is no problem as the main
purpose of joining the group is to have the benefit of the group rates when
having the tests. An example is shown below for the Hodgins/Hodgens group:
The tests are very simple as you make an application for a kit from FTDNA by
sending an request to the following URL:
http://www.familytreedna.com/ftanc_results.asp?sType=bw&subsearch=Search&ftdna_ref=106&Searchname=HODGINS
You will see that an associated surname project is one for the name Hodgens
which has a link on the page. The order form is at:
http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=P76820&special=true
An example of the Krause surname DNA groups is shown at the following link:
http://www.familytreedna.com/ftanc_results.asp?sType=bw&subsearch=Search&ftdna_ref=106&Searchname=KRAUSE
If you open this link then you will see there are four projects that are
possible choices to join. Two of the choices are for racial or ethnic
background like "Mennonite/Amish" or "Nordic & Celtic DNA". The group that
is for the surname is shown as "Kraus" as it covers all the variations of
spelling of this surname.
Cost for these tests are(as of June 2006):
12-Marker $99.00 USD not recommended as it is only useful to show what you
are not associated with. Where this test is useful is when a person known to
be a descendant of a particular line is being checked to see if they are a
descendant of the proper line. For example, if you have attached your line
to a line where there is not documented proof that the connection is correct
then by having a male descendant of one of the other male siblings of the
earliest generation tested. If you are paying for the test then by doing a
12-Marker test and if the results are identical or only differ by one or two
then a more extensive test should be done. However, if the results for the
two people are completely different and from a different Haplogroup only the
12-Marker test is sufficient to prove that the connection is totally wrong
and you are back to square one with that hypothesis or assumption!!
25-Marker $148.00 USD
Medium but more markers would be better.
37-Marker $ 189.00 USD I recommend this one as it has enough markers and is
the one that gives the maximum results at a good price.
67-Marker $ 269.00 USD This is one that is used mainly to determine what
slight differences may exist if two or more males have exactly the same
markers for the 37-Marker tests. This can be ordered as an upgrade later if
desired.
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Click on the desired link to join the group. This is the
first step as a message is sent to the group co-ordinater so that they can
determine if you meet the requirements to join the group. When you receive a
reply to join at FTDNA then go to the link that is provided for that in the
reply from the group co-ordinater.
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Fill out the application form at FTDNA giving all of the
information requested. If you are the one having the tests done on yourself
then it is simple but it is also possible for someone else to apply and pay
for the tests to be done on a male who is the test person. This is more
difficult but quite easy as you fill out the form.
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When asked for the name of the earliest male ancestor
information then use the info that you have from step 2 above.
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Finish the application form and submit it.
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When the kit arrives and after the samples have been
obtained and the additional paperwork is done. This is one of the most
important as you must sign a release form to allow FTDNA to contact others
who match your DNA profile. If you fail to allow the release of this
information then most of the benefits will be lost with your DNA testing
results. Now send the kit back to the lab and then you have to wait until the kit arrives at
the testing lab before an email arrives from FTDNA that shows your account
name and ID number. This can take several weeks. Now you can go to that page
and fill out any extra information and submit a GED file that will be
included on you FTDNA account.
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To produce this direct line male descendancy GED file you
can use the method explained in a step-by-step method described in the
following webpage that shows
Outline Report
of Direct Descendants. Once you have the direct line report then produce
a GED file of only those persons in the report. This description was
prepared using Family Tree Maker as the genealogy program but if you use any
other program then there should be a similar method.
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Once you have the GED file produced in the previous step
then go to your FTDNA account and submit the GED file and view it to see if
it meets your requirements and the icon is shown properly.
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One item that is important at the FTDNA page is to enter
your information at the tab called "Setup Preferences" the suggested items
to check are as follows:
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Allow the group administrator to send emails to your
email address, YES
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Set your preferences for matching purposes: SET TO
MATCHES AGAINST THE ENTIRE DATABASE
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When displaying Matches only show (Check all if the
items)
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The next section is one of the most important and is
used to show your Most Distant Known Ancestor and this is used by the
results shown at the Project Results page and also at Y-Search when you
join. Enter your Paternal Side: and for the Origin if you know the
location where the person was born then the Latitude and Longitude in
decimal format are required. This is used to position a small red
balloon on a map of the world where your earliest known ancestor was
born or from.
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If you belong to multiple groups then fill in the
options for those as well.
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You may have to keep this section updated as more
information is found for your ancestry. Only by keeping the information
current is one able to see what others within the group have for their
information as well as yours.
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When the results of your DNA analysis start to arrive from
the testing lab then you are notified that you can set up a Y-Search account
so that these results will be available for others searching this surname.
This is the most important part of the whole process since if you do not
make your results known to others then you will not be able to search for
others who are closely related to you. To set up the Y-Search account you
click on the icon for Y-Search and set up an account. This may also be found
on your FTDNA page in the Y-DNA Matches tab where there is a link to the
Y-Search page. When you click on this link, you are taken to a page where
you must "Create a new user" Click on that link and do the following steps: