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FTDNA Announcements
Family Tree DNA Announces Topics
FTDNATiP now available for ALL
customers
FTDNATiP for Group Administrators
Understanding Your Results: Time to the Common
Ancestor
Family Tree DNA Announces 37 Markers
Family Tree DNA Renames Y DNA Tests
Family Tree DNA Announces Ysearch
Family Tree DNA Forum
Public or Private
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FTDNATiP now available for ALL customers
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
December 31, 2004 Volume 3, Issue 8
The powerful tool called FTDNATiP has been implemented for
all Y DNA customers. Previously, FTDNATiP had been implemented for Group
Administrators. Customers will now find the FTDNATiP icon when you click on
the Y-DNA Matches selection on your Personal Page. To the right of each
person on your Y-DNA Matches Page, for whom FTDNATiP is available, you will
find the FTDNATiP icon.
If you are a member of a Surname Project, the FTDNATiP icon will appear for
all matches who are members of your Surname Project. If you have any matches
outside your Surname Project, the FTDNATiP icon will appear for matches at
25 Markers and 37 Markers.
If you are not a member of a Surname Project, the the FTDNATiP icon will
appear for matches at 25 Markers and 37 Markers.
FTDNATiP does a calculation for two individual to determine the time to
their most recent common ancestor. The calculation uses the individual
Marker mutation rates. The result is presented in an easy to understand
format, showing the probability for each hundred year period.
FTDNATiP is a proprietary algorithm developed by Family Tree DNA in
conjunction with our Advisory Board Member, Dr. Bruce Walsh, a leading
population geneticist.
The calculation by FTDNATiP utilizes the Y DNA results of two persons, and
the individual Marker mutation rates. The individual Marker mutation rates
used are a result of the study by the University of Arizona which was
announced at the 1st International Conference on Genetic Genealogy, on
October 30, 2004.
Documented evidence can also be input into the calculations, by entering the
number of generations known that the common ancestor did "not" occur. This
option is not available for exact matches, since the result of the
calculation would not change.
FamilyTreeDNA is the only vendor to provide this powerful tool to the
genealogy community.
FTDNATiP has several important benefits. The calculation comparing two
individuals will provide probabilities for each 100 year period for the
common ancestor. This information will help participants understand when the
common ancestor most likely occurred between themselves and a person they
match or closely match. In addition, the probabilities can influence or
determine if you pursue a match. A third benefit is that FTDNATiP can be
used to make the decision as to whether you should pursue a paper trail
connection between the ancestors of two people who are a close match. A
fourth benefit would be to identify branches of the family tree that are
connected incorrectly.
Different pairs of people with the same Genetic Distance will most likely
not have the same report. In other words, since each marker has a different
mutation rate, identical Genetic Distances will not necessarily yield the
same probabilities.
Since FTDNATiP uses the individual Marker mutation rates, a 37 Marker test
is equivalent to a 56 Marker test that uses the assumption that all Markers
mutate at a standard rate of .0004 or a 110 Marker test with the standard
Marker mutation rate of .0002.
To learn more about FTDNATiP, see:
"FTDNATiP for Group Administrators" and
"Understanding Your Results: Time to the Common
Ancestor"
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FTDNATiP for Group Administrators
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
December 3, 2004 Volume 3, Issue 7
Family Tree DNA is pleased to announce a new tool for
Group Administrators, called FTDNATiP. This exciting new tool does a
calculation for two individual to determine the time to their most recent
common ancestor. The calculation uses the individual Marker mutation rates.
The result is presented in an easy to understand format, showing the
probability for each hundred year period.
FTDNATiP is a proprietary algorithm developed by Family Tree DNA in
conjunction with our Advisory Board Member, Dr. Bruce Walsh, a leading
population geneticist.
The calculation by FTDNATiP utilizes the Y DNA results of two persons, and
the individual Marker mutation rates. The individual Marker mutation rates
used are a result of the study by the University of Arizona which was
announced at the 1st International Conference on Genetic Genealogy, on
October 30, 2004. Documented evidence can be input into the calculations, by
entering the number of generations known that the common ancestor did "not"
occur.
FamilyTreeDNA is the first to provide this powerful tool to the genealogy
community.
FTDNATiP has several important benefits. The calculation comparing two
individuals will provide probabilities for each 100 year period for the
common ancestor. This information will help participants understand when the
common ancestor most likely occurred between themselves and a person they
match or closely match. In addition, the probabilities can influence or
determine if you pursue a match. A third benefit is that FTDNATiP can be
used to make the decision as to whether you should pursue a paper trail
connection between the ancestors of two people who are a close match.
Currently FTDNATiP is only available to Group Administrators. FTDNATiP will
be made available to all customers, and the code is currently being written
for that purpose. An announcement will be made in the newsletter when
FTDNATiP is available for all customers, and a selection will appear on the
"Y-DNA matches" section of your personal page.
Group Administrators can access FTDNATiP from their Member Page on the Group
Administrator Page. Click Member, then select one person of the two you wish
to compare, and click on Report. Then select the other person for the
comparison, and click FTDNATiP on the far right.
To learn more about FTDNATiP, see:
"FTDNATiP for ALL Customers" and
"Understanding Your Results: Time to the Common
Ancestor"
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Understanding Your Results: Time to the Common Ancestor
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
December 3, 2004 Volume 3, Issue 7
The new, powerful tool FTDNATiP, announced above, is
currently only available to Group Administrators. All customers will be able to use FTDNATiP within the next
several weeks. A selection will appear on your Y DNA Matches page. [Note:
As of Dec 31, 2004 FTDNATiP is available to all customers]
Once the selection appears on the match page, you will be
able to select a match for comparison, and get a FTDNATiP
report which shows the result of the calculation comparing
two individuals. This report will provide the probabilities
for each 100 year period for the common ancestor. The
probabilities can influence or determine if you pursue a
match. FTDNATiP can also be used to make the decision of
whether you should pursue a paper trail connection between
the ancestors of the two people who are a close match.
FTDNATiP incorporates new mutation rates from the
FTDNA/University of Arizona mutation rate study.
For both Group Administrators and individuals, FTDNATiP can
provide useful information to assist you in your genealogy
research. Below are some example outputs from FTDNATiP. Keep
in mind that each report comparing two individuals utilizes
in the calculation the individuals results and the specific
Marker mutation rates. Therefore, two people with a Genetic
Distance of 1 will most likely not have the same report as
two other people who have a Genetic Distance of 1. In other
words, since each marker has a different mutation rate,
identical Genetic Distances will not necessarily yield the
same probabilities.
Below are some examples from FTDNATiP. First is an example
where two individuals are a 36/37 match:
-------------------Years--------------------
100 200 300 400 500 600
56.46% 87.40% 96.84% 99.26% 99.83% 99.96% Probability of common ancestor
In this example, there is a 56.46% probability that the
common ancestor occurred with in 100 years, and an 87.40%
probability that the common ancestor is within 200 years.
As you can see, this output format is much easier to
understand than a graph!
FTDNATiP also allows you to enter the number of generations
known where the two people do not have a common ancestor.
The above comparison between the two individuals did not
include the any known genealogy information. The genealogy
doesn't go back very far for these two individuals, due to a
brick wall. It is known that the common ancestor did "not"
occur in the last 4 generations, so a genealogically enhaced
correction was then entered, and the calculation rerun,
producing the following results:
100-200 300 400 500 600 700
69.29% 92.09% 98.13% 99.58% 99.91% 99.98%
You can see how the probabilities changed with the
additional information.
The custom calculation comparing two individuals provides
probabilities that the common ancestor occurred for each 100
year period. This information can help you decide if you
should pursue a paper connection.
In the above example, the common ancestor has a very high
probability of occurring in the 1700's or 1800's. Depending
on the surviving records for the geographic area, it would
definitely be worth while to pursue finding the paper
connection.
Consider the following situation: Two participants are a
34/37 match, and their ancestors lived in the same county in
the 1800's. Should they be searching for a paper connection
in the 1800's, or is it more likely that the common ancestor
occurred much earlier?
The results from FTDNATiP are the following:
100 200 300 400 500 600
3.68% 25.94% 56.38% 78.99% 91.23% 96.70%
In this case, it is highly unlikely that the common ancestor
occurred in the 1800's. The probabilities show that the
common ancestor was in the more distant past. Therefore, it
would not be a wise investment of time to pursue the paper
connection in the 1800's.
FTDNATiP does a calculation comparing the results of two
persons, using the individual Marker mutation rates. A
genealogy factor can be input into the calculations, by
entering the number of generations known that the common
ancestor did not occur.
Below is an example comparing two individuals who are a
34/37 match, and do not have a common ancestor in 16
generations:
400-500 600 700 800 900 1000
60.63% 86.22% 95.58% 98.67% 99.62% 99.90%
The paper connection may never be found for these two
individuals, since Parish Registers only started in the
1500's in England. The time prior to Parish Registers is
where the highest probability of a common ancestor occurs.
Wills and Manorial Records would be the best source to find
a common ancestor.
FTDNATiP is now available for all customers. A selection
appears on the "Y-DNA matches" section of your personal
page.
To learn more about FTDNATiP, see:
"FTDNATiP for ALL Customers" and
"FTDNATiP for Group Administrators"
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Family Tree DNA Announces 37 Markers
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
December 15, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 12
Family Tree DNA announced 37 Markers for Y
DNA testing on December 15, 2003.
Orders may now be placed for test kits for up to the entire 37 Markers.
According to FTDNA, "These new additional 12 Markers for our Y DNA test will provide additional
resolution, and especially benefit individuals within our popular Surname Projects. The additional Markers may indicate the branches of family
trees, and will reduce the time frame of the common ancestor."
The names of the new 12 Markers that are being added are:
DYS 460, GATA H4, YCA II a, YCA II b, DYS 456, DYS 607, DYS 576, DYS 570,
CDY a, CDY b, DYS 442, DYS 438
37/37 Marker match and the time frame of the Common Ancestor
These additional 12 Markers will reduce the time frame to the Common
Ancestor. For a 37/37 match, the time frame of the Common Ancestor at 50%
probability is 4.7 generations, and at 90% probability is 16 generations.
|
50% |
90% |
| 37/37 Match |
5 generations |
16 generations |
| 36/37 Match |
12 generations |
27 generations |
| 35/37 Match |
19 generations |
37 generations |
The Cost for 37 Markers
Y-DNA 37-marker test $229
Y-Refine 12 to 37 (to upgrade a 12-marker test to a 37-marker test)
$149
Y-Refine 25 to 37 (to upgrade a 25-marker test to a 37-marker test)
$60
Who should consider upgrading:
1. IF you have an exact or near match with another participant in the
Blair DNA Project
AND if you do not know who your common
ancestor is, you and your match should consider upgrading to 37 Markers to try to narrow
the time to your most recent common ancestor.
2. IF you mismatch with another participant in the
Blair DNA Project by 3 or 4 markers
AND you believe you share a common ancestor but are not sure, you and
the other participant might consider upgrading to 37 Markers to prove or
disprove a common ancestor.
3. IF you are a 12/12 or 25/25 match with another Surname, an upgrade
to 37 Markers is recommended before pursuing the match.
Who should NOT upgrade:
1. Anyone who is not part of one of the Blair groups (you do not match
or closely match anyone else in the Blair DNA Project) should not upgrade
until they find someone the closely match.
2.
IF you have an exact or near match with another participant in the
Blair DNA Project
AND if you know who your common
ancestor is, there is no reason to upgrade.
Consider the following example taken from
group 3:
This group has 6 participants (#3947, #4311, #4990, #6800, #7427, and
#7986). The only "known" connection is between #3947 and #4311. There is an exact 25 marker match between
#3947
and #4311.
The table below shows the number of
mismatches between the participants.
| |
3947 |
4311 |
4990 |
6800 |
7427 |
7986 |
| 3947 |
|
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| 4311 |
0 |
|
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| 4990 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 6800 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
1 |
3 |
| 7427 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
|
4 |
| 7986 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
|
If we assume that participant #6800 has the
group "DNA signature" than all other participants mismatch on
either 1, 2, or 3 markers. (Note: 3 mismatches is stretching the limits to
be included in a group, but this group has very rare values of two of the
markers and the mismatches occur on the "faster mutating"
markers).
There is no reason for both #3947
and #4311 to upgrade their known common ancestor has been established. The rest
of this group and either #3947 OR #4311 should consider upgrading to
37 Markers. The upgrade could either tighten this group up and help
establish a better timeframe for a common ancestor or it could show that
some of those in this group do not share a common ancestor in a timeframe
that could ever be documented.
How to Upgrade:
Anyone wishing to upgrade to the 37 Marker test can do so by going to their
FTDNA Personal Page, http://www.familytreedna.com/ftLogin.asp?kit=xxxx&code=yyyyy
(where xxxx is your kit or participant number and yyyyy is your code
provided by FTDNA. If you don't know your code let me know). Near the top of
the page on the right side you will see "Order Tests". Click on
this all fill the form that comes up. FTDNA already has your DNA sample, so
you will not have to send a new one.
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Family Tree DNA Renames Y DNA Tests
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
December 15, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 12
In conjunction with the new product offering of 37 Markers, the Y DNA
tests and upgrade tests have been renamed, as follows:
Y-DNA12
Y-DNA25
Y-DNA37
Y-Refine12to25
Y-Refine12to37
Y-Refine25to37
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Family Tree DNA Announces Ysearch
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
December 5, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 11
Family Tree DNA is pleased to announce a public service
database and associated tools for searching and analysis at Ysearch.org.
Ysearch.org is a free public service for those whom
have utilized Y DNA testing, and provides tools to enter your test
results, and search and compare results. The Ysearch database offers the
ability to enter results for up to 43 Markers. These 43 Markers represent
those used by commercial testing companies as well as scientific
laboratories.
At Ysearch, you enter your Y DNA test results, and then
a powerful set of search tools are available. For FamilyTreeDNA customers
who have taken a Y DNA test, a selection will appear on your Family Tree
DNA Personal Page allowing you to upload your data to Ysearch. Simply
click the Ysearch Upload selection, to have your Y DNA test results
entered into the Ysearch database. You can then select what additional
data you would like to enter, submit it, and then use the search and
analysis tools at Ysearch.
At Ysearch you can also enter your Haplogroup, as well
as perform a Haplogroup search. Ysearch also provides the ability to enter
information on the progenitor, or founder, of you family tree. You can
also search by surname, surname variants, and ancestral information.
Unique features of Ysearch are the Genetic Distance Reports as well as the
YseachCompare, a tool that allows you to compare side-by-side different
results.
Ysearch is a resource for genealogists to find others
who have utilized DNA testing. To enter your results at Ysearch, either
click on Upload at Ysearch on your Family Tree DNA Personal Page, or go
to: http://www.Ysearch.org
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Family Tree DNA Forum
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
April 30, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 2
In April, Family Tree DNA implemented the Family Tree
DNA Forum, which is now available for both customers and visitors at the
FamilyTreeDNA.com web site. The Forum will enable the users to share
information and ask questions.
To access the Forum, click on the link below:
http://www.FamilyTreeDNA.com/forum
You can make this link a favorite or bookmark. The
Forum can also be reached from the FamilyTreeDNA.com home page. In the
lower left of the home page, you will find the words "DNA
Forum". Just click on these words, and you will go directly to the
Forum.
The Forum has two message boards. One of the message
boards is called "DNA and Genealogy", and it is open to both
customers and visitors. Everyone is welcome to post questions, respond to
questions, or browse to learn more about the fascinating subject of
Genetic Genealogy. To browse this message board, from the main Forum page,
simply click on the message board title.
You can browse the "DNA and Genealogy"
message board, but to post to the message board, you must register. To
register, click on the register button in the row of blue buttons above
the message board. You will only need to select a user name, password, and
enter your email address to register. After you are registered, you can
select options for your profile, by clicking the "user cp"
button in the row of blue buttons above the message board. Another
advantage of registering is that you can receive email notices when a
thread is updated. You can choose to receive email notifications of new
posts in a thread without posting in that thread, by clicking the 'Receive
updates to this thread' link displayed in the thread page. If you choose
to stop receiving email notifications from a thread, you can turn off the
option by either editing your
post, or by unsubscribing from the thread.
In the row of blue buttons above the message board is a
blue button labeled FAQ, for Frequently Asked Questions. It is important
to read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) before you register for the
Forum. Any question you have should be answered by the information at FAQ.
As you use the Forum, any time you have a question about how the Forum
works, click on the FAQ button in the row of blue buttons above the Forum.
The other message board is called the "Group
Administrators Forum", and this one is only available to those who
have become a Group Administrator with Family Tree DNA. This message board
is also accessed from the main Forum page, by clicking on the message
board title "Group Administrators Forum". Group Administrators
must register to view and post to the Group Administrators Forum.
Posting a question to the Forum is quite easy. After
you register, you will be allowed to post to the Forum. To post a
question, just start your question with "Can someone explain
...", or a similar approach. The Forums are an opportunity for
experienced customers to share information and knowledge by responding to
questions posted to the Forum. These Forums are monitored by Family Tree
DNA, who will review the answers to questions posted, and post a response
if warranted. The Forums are an excellent tool to expand your knowledge
regarding Genetic Genealogy.
These Forums offer many additional features, ranging
from adding your picture so it appears with posts, private messaging, and
setting up a buddy list. Click on the blue button labeled FAQ, to read all
about the diverse features of the Forums.
To visit the Family Tree DNA Forums, click on the link below:
http://www.FamilyTreeDNA.com/forum
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Public or Private
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
April 4, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 3
For those who belong to a Surname Project, the
Public/Private setting is very important. The Public/Private setting
determines whether the search for Y DNA matches will only look for matches
within the Surname Project or will look for matches in the whole Family
Tree DNA customer database of those set to Public. When a participant is
set to Private, the Y DNA search is restricted to matches within the
Surname Project. When a participant is set to Public, the search looks for
matches to all those Family Tree DNA customers who are also set as Public,
and matches will show up as long as customers have signed and turned in
the Release Form that came with the kit.
The default setting is Private. A setting of Private is
recommended for participants with a 12 marker result, who belong to the
Haplogroup R1b. Haplogroup R1b is the most common Haplogroup in European
populations. Therefore, those participants who belong to Haplogroup R1b
and only have tested 12 markers will tend to get many matches with other
surnames, which are not relevant. For this reason, it is recommended that
the participant be set to Private until they upgrade to 25 markers, which
will only show relevant matches when set to Public.
The Public setting is recommended for all other
participants of Surname Projects. A Public setting will look for Y DNA
matches in all Family Tree DNA customers who are also set to Public and
who have signed their Release Forms. As the database grows, a Public
setting may enable you to find variations of your surname that you may not
have considered, and strays who most likely have a different surname as a
result of adoption or an extra marital event.
The default for the Public/Private setting is Private,
and the setting can only be changed AFTER a kit is returned.
To find those matches after the setting is changed from
Private to Public, one needs to go to their personal page and click Y DNA
Matches. In addition to that, an email will be received for all future
matches when they are added to the database.
To check or change your Public/Private setting:
- go to Update Contact Information on your Personal
Page.
- Look below the email address at the line that reads:
"Restrict Match notifications to your surname Project"
If there is a check mark in the box, you are set as
Private. If there is no check mark, you are set as Public.
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