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Print PreviewDNA Newsletter July 24, 2002
This is the first issue of the Family Tree DNA newsletter, "Facts & Genes."
You may subscribe to "Facts & Genes" at the following link,
http://www.familytreedna.com/fgRegister.asp. You will not be sent additional
issues unless you subscribe.
Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA
July 24, 2002 Volume 1, Issue 1
In This Issue
Welcome
In the News: Family Tree DNA announces the 25 marker Y-DNA test What will
Genetic Genealogy do for your research? How many markers should I test?
Managing a Genetic Genealogy Project: Getting Started
Welcome to the premiere issue of Facts & Genes, the newsletter from Family
Tree DNA. Our newsletter will bring you articles about the exciting new field of
Genetic Genealogy and keep you informed about the latest advances in the field.
Have you had an interesting experience as a result of a DNA test or project that
you would like to share? Did the testing help with a brick wall or uncover a new
family branch? Did your surname project uncover unexpected results? Do you have
any tips to help others start a surname project? If you have an interesting
situation that you would like to share, please submit it to the editor for
consideration as an article in a future issue. Email submissions to:
editor@familytreedna.com
Your interest and participation in DNA testing is the driving force charting the
future of Genetic Genealogy at Family Tree DNA. We strive to be the first to
bring you scientific advances in the application of science and technology to
genealogy. We endeavor to listen and respond to you. As a result of your
feedback, we have provided project tools to make project management easy and
will continue to enhance these tools. You asked for more markers, and we are
pleased to announce that our 25 marker Y-DNA test is now available. See the
article titled 'In the News' for more about this scientific advance.
Your comments and feedback are welcome. Please let us know what you would like
to see in the newsletter. Email:
editor@familytreedna.com
In the News: Family Tree DNA Announces the 25 marker Y-DNA Test
Family Tree DNA is pleased to announce that our 21 marker Y-DNA test has been
expanded to 25 markers!
All 21 marker tests purchased from Family Tree DNA in the past have been
upgraded to the 25 marker test at NO additional charge. 25 marker results for
current and past tests are now posted to the database at
www.FamilyTreeDNA.com.
The additional four markers comprise a very complex group that is replicated in
different places on the Y chromosome. These markers are called DYS 464a, 464b,
464c and 464d.
The move from 21 markers to 25 markers decreases the number of generations
between you, the test subject, and your Most Recent Common Ancestor or MRCA. If
your 21 marker test results matched another participant's test results exactly,
there is a 99% probability that the two of you share a common ancestor, and that
50% of the time, that common ancestor lived 8.3 generations ago, or less. With
the 25 marker test, this number is reduced to 7 generations.
The article below called 'How many markers should I test?' explains the concepts
and statistics behind the MRCA in more detail.
What will Genetic Genealogy do for your research?
The term Genetic Genealogy refers to the application of science, through
testing DNA, to uncover information about your ancestors. There are currently
two types of tests available to the general public: the Y-DNA test and the mtDNA
test. The Y-DNA test tells you about your male ancestors, and the mtDNA test
tells you about your female ancestors.
The Y-DNA test is for males only as it tests the Y chromosome, which is only
found in males and is inherited from the father's direct paternal line
(grandfather to father to son). Scientists have determined that the Y chromosome
is passed from father to son unchanged, except for random mutations that are
estimated to take place only once per 500 generations per marker.
The direct line of descent for males is critical. Events such as adoption or an
extramarital male birth would break this chain.
All males with a direct line of descent from your most distant known male
ancestor should have the same Y chromosomal pattern, or genetic fingerprint,
except for the random mutations. If you compare the genetic fingerprints of
these male descendents today, they should match.
How can this help you in your research? Testing the Y chromosome can verify what
is known. It can point you in a direction for further research, or prove or
disprove a relationship or theory. Family Tree DNA' s Y-DNA test can find others
to whom you are related. It might point you to a specific geographic location
for further research. The individual reasons for doing Y-DNA testing vary
significantly, from curiosity to specific genealogical research goals to large
surname projects.
Here are just a few examples of the use of Y-DNA testing. For example, suppose
two immigrants, who came to the U.S. in 1740, had the same surname, but you
can't connect them. By testing direct male descendents of each immigrant, you
can determine whether or not the two immigrants were related. In another
situation, your family legend is that your surname was changed on immigration.
All persons with the new surname found in the US fit in your tree. Your
grandfather gave you two possible original surnames. By testing descendents of
the two possible original surnames, you could determine if you were related to
either. In another example, you have found your surname in New Zealand, and
those people come from the same County in Ireland. By testing both groups, you
can determine if they are related, and perhaps you will focus more research in
this Irish county for paper records. In many cases, you may only need as few as
two participants to apply Y-DNA testing to solving your genealogy brick walls or
adding more information to your family history.
Y-DNA Surname Projects attempt to test all lines, branches and variants of a
particular surname to determine which are related. Surname Projects can start
small with a subset of the surname and be expanded in phases.
The mtDNA test is available for females and for the female ancestors of males.
We all carry mtDNA inherited from our mothers. Anthropologists have determined
that there exist approximately 20 daughters who are descended from a single
'mitochondrial Eve.' Family Tree DNA's mtDNA tests will determine from which
daughter of Eve you descend. You can then use the Family Tree DNA database to
find others whom you match.
How many markers should I test?
The question asked the most often by people considering the Y-DNA test is
'How many markers are enough?'
The place to start is to define the term 'marker.' A marker is a location on the
Y chromosome that may be tested for Genetic Genealogy. These locations, or
markers, have names, such as DYS #19 or DYS #385a or DYS #439. When a marker is
tested, the result is reduced to a number, which represents the number of
repeated patterns of the DNA protein sequence at a specific location on the Y
chromosome.
Family Tree DNA offers a 12 marker Y-DNA test and a 25 marker Y-DNA (called
Y-DNA Plus) test. The difference is that the Y-DNA Plus test results, with its
additional markers, reduces the time frame to the Most Recent Common Ancestor,
or MRCA. For both tests, the number of markers that match can determine whether
you and another participant share a common ancestor and how many generations ago
that common ancestor might have lived.
If two individual's test results match exactly (12/12) in the 12 marker test,
there is a 99% probability that they are related. The issue then becomes: when
did this common ancestor live? Unfortunately, science cannot pinpoint the exact
generation, but science can provide a range of time when the common ancestor
might have lived.
If two individuals match in the 12 marker test for either 10 out of 12 (10/12)
or 11 out of 12 11/12), they are also considered related, but the time frame to
the common ancestor, MRCA, is more distant than if they had a 12/12 match. Where
the matches are less that 10/12, the two individuals are not considered to be
related.
If your 12 marker test results match another participant's exactly, 12/12, your
common ancestor occurred between 1 and 62 generations ago, with a 50%
probability that the common ancestor lived 14.5 generations ago or less. There
is a 90% probability it was within 48 generations and a 95% probability it was
within 62. You can shorten this time span by increasing the 12 marker test to a
25 marker test.
If two individuals match exactly (25/25) in the 25 marker test, their MRCA would
have lived between 1 and 32 generations ago, with a 50% probability that the
common ancestor lived 7 generations ago or less. There is a 90% probability the
MRCA was within 24 generations and a 95% probability that it was within 32
generations. Therefore, increasing the markers tested from 12 to 25 lowers the
time frame to the MRCA from 14.5 to 7 generations.
Clients can choose either the 12 marker test or the 25 marker test, depending on
their objectives. A 12 marker test can be upgraded to a 25 marker test at a
later date. The Lab used by Family Tree DNA, based at the University of Arizona
in Tucson, keeps a sample of your DNA stored under a kit number. If, later in
your project, you decide to expand your test to 25 markers, the additional
markers can easily be tested from the DNA already stored for reprocessing.
Many clients struggle with the choice between 12 and 25 markers, as well as who
to test. Our recommendations vary based on the client's objectives and
situation. Examples are provided below to assist you in making your decision for
the number of markers and selecting participants.
Situation:
There is only one surviving direct male descendent in your line, traced back to the early 1800's with documented research. You are not ready to start a project and haven't researched other lines with your surname. You never find the time to spend to understand DNA testing. Your direct male descendent is in his late 40's.
Recommendation:
On the surface, it appears that you have plenty of time to learn about DNA
testing, and have your relative tested. Unfortunately, once this direct male
descendent is gone -- you can probably never get a DNA sample. In the situation
where there is only one surviving direct male descendent, regardless of their
age, we recommend immediate testing. Either the 12 or 25 marker test will do.
Any time in the future, others with your surname can be approached to be tested
for comparison. The objective today is to get a sample from your relative and
have it tested to ensure that you will not be denied the opportunity in the
future. You will then have the
results for the direct male descendent, the results will be stored in our
database, and the sample will be stored for your future use.
If there are as few as three direct male descendents in your tree, we recommend
immediate testing of two of the males. The reason to select two is to confirm
that there were no adoptions or extramarital male births.
Often, it is only a priority to test males if they are elderly. The issue is not
age. If the person is gone, for all practical purposes, their DNA is gone. We
were able to assist a client late last year, whose only direct male descendent
was killed in a car accident. Securing the sample took tremendous effort, and
the involvement of the spouse for approval and the medical examiner for a
sample. It was sheer luck that the client remembered in such a stressful
situation, and contacted Family Tree DNA on a Saturday night at midnight, so
that we could immediately overnight a
collection kit.
In summary, if you have a small number of direct male descendents in your line,
we recommend immediate testing of two participants, to confirm a match and to
have the sample and results stored for future reference. If you do not get an
exact match, expand the testing to any remaining direct male descendents to
determine where and when a non-paternity event occurred, such as adoption.
Situation:
Two immigrants came to the U.S. in 1740 with the same surname. Extensive research has occurred, but you can't connect them with paper records. There are many descendents today in the U.S.
Recommendation:
Our recommendation is to test two direct male descendents from each immigrant's line for 12 markers. The rational behind this recommendation is that there is large span of years between the immigrants' arrival and today, as well as many birth events that provide an opportunity for an extramarital male birth or an adoption. By selecting two males from each line, you would expect a match within each line to validate the results. Then, when you compare the results from the two lines to each other, you would be confident that you have accurate results.
Situation:
You are interested in determining which lines with your surname are related. Your surname can be found in England, Ireland and the U.S. You have extensive paper documentation on your line and contact with one researcher in England who has researched their line. This other researcher has also identified nine separate trees with this surname. Where and how do you start?
Recommendation:
You are an excellent candidate for a Surname Project. A Surname Project can
be established with a minimum of six participants. There are two primary
approaches, depending on the size of your Surname Project and the extent of the
paper genealogy records. For a relatively rare surname, with limited descendents
and excellent genealogy records, we recommend testing one or two direct male
descendents from each line for 12 markers. If matches occur, you may want to
expand to 25 markers. When no match occurs between two the lines, we recommend
that an additional direct male descendent be tested in each of those
non-matching lines.
For surnames that are not rare and have many branches and descendents, we
recommend testing two males from each line to establish the genetic fingerprint.
(Remember: In every generation, the opportunity for an extramarital male birth
or adoption exists). Where no match occurs, expand the testing in the two lines
that do not match to include an additional male in each line.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the situations and objectives vary between families. The
examples provided above may help you determine what approach to take with your
DNA testing. If you are not sure of your objectives, and want to get started,
our recommendation to clients is to select the 12 marker test, and to later
upgrade to the 25 marker test when a match occurs, to reduce the time frame for
the common ancestor, MRCA.
Family Tree DNA representatives are available via email and phone to discuss
your situation and to help you determine if a 12 marker or 25 marker test is
best for you or your group. If you would like an analysis and recommendation for
your situation, send an email to:
Bennett@FamilytreeDNA.com explaining the data known about your
genealogy and the objectives that you have established for testing. You will
receive back our suggestions promptly.
Managing a Surname Project: Getting Started
This column will appear in each issue of Facts & Genes and offer suggestions
and examples for starting and managing a Surname Project. Contributions to this
column from Project Managers are welcome at:
editor@familytreedna.com. Perhaps
you would also like your Project to be considered for our Spotlight Column,
which will debut in the next issue.
Family Tree DNA understands the importance of Surname Projects in advancing your
genealogy research. DNA testing can help you get beyond your brick walls and
provide valuable clues for further investigation. Projects at Family Tree DNA
follow three basic types: regional studies, historical studies and the popular
Surname Projects involving people with the same or similar last names. All three
types of studies involve Y-DNA testing.
In support of Surname Projects, we offer a variety of services:
- Consultation
- Project Management Tools
- Project Pricing
Getting started on your Surname project is easy. To establish a Surname Project,
you will need a Group Administrator and a minimum of six participants. Once your
Surname Project is established with Family Tree DNA, your group will qualify for
Project Pricing.
Step 1: Select a Group Administrator
Perhaps you would like to volunteer for this task. The Group Administrator is
the point of contact between Family Tree DNA and Project participants. The Group
Administrator will handle the following aspects of project management:
- contact potential participants to request their participation
- order DNA collection kits online from Family Tree DNA for your group's
participants
- use the special Group Administrator reports at
www.FamilyTreeDNA.com to track
the project
- answer participant's questions with support from your Family Tree DNA
representative
- monitor and track the lab results
- report the results to the participants
Step 2: Finding Your First Six Participants
Often we are asked 'How do I get the 6 participants?'. There are many avenues
that can be used to contact people with your same surname to ask them to
participate in your Project. Perhaps your surname has a Family Association, a
newsletter, a mailing list or even a web site, or you are in contact with others
researching your surname.
You may want to give thought to who would be the ideal genetic representatives
for your surname. Start is with a pair of distant, yet paper trail documented,
cousins from your tree, with direct male descent. You would expect the two
participants' test results to match, thereby validating the family line and
insuring that no non-paternity events have occurred.
The next step is to go outside your tree for participants. In your research, you
may have seen others researching your surname, and you haven't connected your
tree to theirs. Contact these researchers and ask them to volunteer or to help
you find two direct male descendents from their tree to participate. You only
need a total of six participants to have your project officially established at
Family Tree DNA. You can easily add participants as your project grows, place
orders for additional test kits and watch our project management software track
the progress of your participants online at
www.FamilyTreeDNA.com . (Credit cards
are now accepted).
Step 3: Contact Family Tree DNA
To establish your Surname Project, the Group Administrator should contact Family Tree DNA, at Bennett@FamilyTreeDNA.com or call us at 1-713-828-4200.
In the Next Issue
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Facts & Genes. Please feel free to contact the editor with your comments, feedback and suggestions for future articles. If you would like your Surname Project featured in our Spotlight column in a future issue, please send a short email telling us about your project. If you are a Project Manager and can help others with tips or suggestions, please contact the editor: editor@familytreedna.com
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