Family Tree DNA Testing:
How to Get Started

If you’re ready to do some family tree DNA testing, this is the place to start.

I explain the steps. I also provide helpful tips and include links to the key web sites.

As long as you understand the basics explained on this site, the whole process is remarkably easy.

STEP 1. CHOOSE A TEST TYPE

If you read my Family History Search page, you understand what family tree DNA testing can do. And if you read DNA Genealogy you understand the three basic test types.

I suggest males (and females who have an appropriate male relative to test) begin with the Y-DNA test. My second choice for family tree DNA testing is the autosomal DNA test and my third choice is the mitochondrial (mtDNA) test. Both males and females can take the autosomal and mtDNA tests.

These three test types are the primary tools of family tree DNA testing. You can save time and money by ordering various combinations at the same time.

STEP 2. CHOOSE A TEST COMPANY

I use Family Tree DNA for most of my testing. To learn why I choose to spend my money with this company read my FTDNA Review.

For autosomal DNA testing I have used both Family Tree DNA and 23andMe.

The Y-DNA and mtDNA tests are available through additional companies that do family tree DNA testing. Although I have not used them, the following companies are legitimate alternatives: Ethnoancestry and Oxford Ancestors.

Several companies that did family tree DNA testing, most recently DNA Heritage, have dropped out of the business. To protect your investment I recommend you do your family tree DNA testing with either Family Tree DNA or 23andMe. These two companies appear to have the critical mass and financial strength to serve this market for the long haul.

The International Society of Genetic Genealogy maintains a Y-DNA Testing Comparison Chart and an mtDNA Testing Comparison Chart. Be sure to check the date on each table to see how recently the data has been updated.

To compare the two autosomal DNA tests see my Autosomal DNA Comparison page.

[NOTE: My links to other sites open in new windows. If they don't work, check your popup blocker.]

STEP 3: PLACE YOUR ORDER

For Y-DNA testing you need to pick how many markers to test. Additional markers increase the resolution of your test results—but at a higher cost. For most people 37 or 67 markers is a good choice. You can upgrade to more markers later, if needed.

For mtDNA testing you can test the HVR1 region only or both HVR1 and HVR2. If you’re hoping to find a match for genealogy purposes, you should test both regions.

Family Tree DNA also offers the world's only full sequence mitochondrial test. If you can afford it, order that test. Otherwise, wait to see your HVR1 and HVR2 results before deciding if you need it.

My Surname Begins with Equals Contains Ends with Sounds like

Family Tree DNA allows you to join a DNA surname project BEFORE you order a Y-DNA test. Look up your surname from the search box at the right. Change "Begins With" to "Equals" via the drop-down box. Then type your paternal surname in the space below that and click the Search button.

If your surname has any existing projects, you will see one or more links to the join pages for those projects. Then you can order through the project’s price schedule that may be below the regular price.

STEP 4: COLLECT YOUR DNA SAMPLE

Once you have placed your order for any kind of family tree DNA testing, the lab will send you a home DNA test kit. FTDNA uses a DNA swab to collect cells from inside your cheek. 23andMe, which only offers the autosomal test, provides a tube for collecting saliva. Either way it’s easy and painless. But follow the directions carefully to ensure a good sample. You can get a replacement kit, if you need a re-test. But you will lose weeks of time in the process.

Be sure to sign the FTDNA release form that lets the lab notify all parties whenever you match people in their database. 23andMe's medical data requires extremely tight privacy, so contacting people you match is more complex and often less fruitful.

STEP 5: REVIEW YOUR RESULTS

When your test results are ready, the lab will notify you and explain how you can view your personal results and matches online. Read all the background information provided by mail and online. This will help you interpret your results.

Y-DNA test: Matches on 12 markers don't mean much. But if you and someone with the same surname match closely at higher marker levels, you probably share a common ancestor in your paternal lines.

Near-perfect matches with different surnames MAY indicate a name change somewhere in one line or the other, possibly due to an adoption or other “non-paternity event.”

Autosomal DNA test: The results will tell you about how far back the common ancestor lived. If needed, testing more people can narrow your search.

mtDNA test: High resolution matches (matching in both HVR1 and HVR2 regions) suggest a common ancestor somewhere in your maternal lines. Low resolution matches (HVR1 only) can result from a common ancestor living thousands of years ago. That’s why I suggest you test both regions. But even then the common ancestor could be a long ways back.

Your family tree DNA testing results will also place you in a particular Y-DNA and/or mtDNA haplogroup. There may or may not be enough information to place you in a particular subclade of a haplogroup. Additional tests are available to resolve your haplogroup position more precisely. But that’s an advanced topic beyond the scope of this page.

STEP 6: EXPLORE YOUR MATCHES

Hopefully, you will discover some close matches. I have had great success contacting genetic cousins through Family Tree DNA and somewhat lesser but still useful success at 23andMe. Together, you and your cousins may be able to find the paper trail that connects you through a specific common ancestor.

Surname Projects

Y-DNA data and genealogy routinely meet in the DNA Surname Projects. If you belong to one, your group administrator may ask you for genealogical data on your paternal line back to the earliest known ancestor.

Many projects have web sites that organize and display their data. They place members with similar DNA profiles into clusters that appear to have common ancestors. Then they help you mine the genealogical data of that cluster to make real world connections.

To ensure some degree of privacy most groups only identify members by test kit numbers and do not publish genealogical data on people who are still living.

STEP 7: SHARE YOUR DATA

What if your DNA matches someone who used a different testing company? You’ll never know unless you both upload your results to a public database. For Y-DNA testing those databases are ySearch and Ybase. For mtDNA testing the public database is Mitosearch.

Family Tree DNA users can execute the transfer to Ysearch and Mitosearch with a couple of mouse clicks. Most other submissions require manual input of marker data into online forms.

NOTE: Ybase was a project of DNA Heritage, which shut down in April 2011. Family Tree DNA took over Ybase, yet they already operate Ysearch. So at the time of this writing, the future of Ybase is uncertain.

STEP 8: KEEP LEARNING

Family tree DNA testing is part of a new and dynamic field. Already, there are many supplemental tests you can order from your original DNA sample.

Hundreds of non-scientists are taking these tests, sharing their results, and contributing to the knowledge base. You can be part of this; but you need to keep learning. Here are some resources:

1. DNA Testing Adviser. My successful use of DNA testing in Adoption Search inspired me to create this web site. Read the rest of this site now, bookmark it, and come back later for additional content.

2. ISOGG. The International Society of Genetic Genealogy promotes the use of DNA in genealogy. Membership is free and their web site includes everything from basic information for beginners to advanced tools for experts. Members can participate in their DNA-NEWBIE mailing list. There is also a new ISOGG Wiki that is compiling information on genetic genealogy.

3. The Genographic Project. This project, sponsored by the National Geographic Society, focuses on population genetics and human migration. The web site includes an excellent overview of genetics.

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