Create your own Surname Project
We facilitate Re-construction projects on the Y-DNA descended male side
of the family, which is very easy because the Y-DNA follows the
traditional lines of surname descent.
The cost of our Y-DNA 12 marker test is $99 per person + Frt. with a
group of 6 people, a nice beginning number for average sized surnames.
Our 21 marker test is $159 +frt. and we preserve the DNA for your
future refinement and usage.
The first step, technically, is to determine the genetic fingerprint of
the individual family line. This requires 2 distant, yet paper trail
documented cousins. This will eliminate the chances of false paternity
or unannounced adoption at least to the �common ancestor� of the 2
distant cousins.
A web site is very important to explain the purpose and goals of the
project, though not required.
We notice that once a nucleus of people with a surname has formed the
other more reluctant people tend to follow!
We can set you up as a project manager and you may order single testing
against the web site immediately. Kits go out in a few days and you
will be able to log in and see when they are returned to our offices for
lab processing. All results will also be available on your Project
page�s for you to see and analyze.
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Most Frequently asked question:
Frankly I'm still struggling to understand the Y-chromosome thingy.
Answer: Y is easy to understand. The Y comes from the biological
father. Y makes the child male. Females do not have Y's.
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DNA testing of the Y chromosome can't tell you which generation you
match, but with 99.9% accuracy can tell if that you match! We provide a
table to show the statistic, and the 'box' of what times the common
ancestor may have lived.
We encourage your further questions.
Best Regards
Bennett Greenspan
President
FamilyTreeDNA.com
[email protected]
The World's only website dedicated to Genealogy by Genetics
"History Unearthed Daily"
-----Original Message-----
From: Vern Taylor
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2002 2:25 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: DNA surname groups
Dear [email protected],
We are desirous to test two McVey lines to see if they connect back
7 generations in Scotland. We see this would cost $219 for each test
and would have to find two of our cousins willing to do this.
I have heard that groups get a cheaper rate and would like to know
how you calculate that?
I have no idea how many McVey descendants would be interested other
than myself but could advertise this to all McVay-McVeigh-McVey
descendants that I know of which number about 400. We all claim to be
related in the way-back anyway.
GENETIC GENEALOGY CONCERNS. By Kristen Knight of Ancestry.com.
I can understand the worries of the individuals who responded to the
Genetic Genealogy information. I had similar concerns when I first heard
about genetic testing for genealogical purposes. So I did my homework
and found, to my relief, that I had nothing to worry about concerning
genealogical DNA testing and privacy with Ancestry.com.
First and foremost, Ancestry.com is meticulous at protecting customer
data, including DNA analysis. It does not share personally identifiable
data with anyone, including the U.S. government, or the LDS Church. The
only way this data would be shared is if the user requests it. See the
privacy policy at http://www.ancestry.com/legal/privacy.htm
Secondly, the DNA tests themselves protect the customer from any
possible misuse by insurance companies or other entities. The Ancestry
GenWeb DNA tests do not analyze, nor do they provide a report, on the
entire DNA strand, but rather these tests only look at specific
markers.
These markers provide no health-related data. The markers analyzed do
not actually create proteins, or "do" anything in the body. They are
rather markers that simply "sit" in the DNA, and are passed on from
generation to generation with little variance, making them ideal for
assessing common ancestry between individuals. Even if another
individual were to access this information (through a means other than
Ancestry.com), it would tell them nothing that would have anything to do
with the health, ability, IQ, hair color, or other attributes of the
individual tested.
As others learn of the characteristics of this kind of testing, it is
hoped that they will begin to see the power of genetic testing to help
solve even difficult genealogical questions. Many customers have been
able to verify their research through Genetic Genealogy. Others have
been able to get past a previously dead-end paper trail. For many family
historians Genetic Genealogy has given them answers that have saved
countless hours and a lot of money.
For information on using DNA testing to aid genealogical research see:
ancestry.com/genetics
links to more info
cyndislist.com/dna
list of links
molecular-genealogy.byu
general description and free study
ancestry.com/library
There are two types of DNA. One is found in the central nucleus of
each human cell on one of twenty-three pairs of tiny structures
called chromosomes. The one that is significant for family history
is designated the Y chromosome. It appears only in males and is
passed from father to son, except for random changes that happen
infrequently over a number of generations.
The other, called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), is found outside the
nucleus in small structures called mitochondria. It is passed
unchanged from mother to child.
These are the only two lines current DNA tests can identify or match
to other individuals belonging to the same line. In other words, DNA
testing is only applicable to lines going back through two of our eight
great-grandparents, our father�s paternal grandfather and our mother�s
maternal grandmother. Because women don�t carry the Y-chromosome, their
paternal male line can be traced only through a DNA sample from a father
or brother.
Lines through other great-grandparents can be traced through DNA only if a
sample is available from an aunt, uncle, or cousin who descends through an
all-male or all-female line.
Who Offers DNA Testing?
Two firms, Family Tree DNA and Oxford Ancestry, are currently providing DNA
tests to genealogists on a commercial basis. Both use samples collected by
rubbing a small stiff-bristled brush against the inside of the cheek.
Family Tree DNA focuses on recent relationships and will report whether
samples from several individuals are actually related, with a statistical
determination of how many generations back the most recent common ancestor
(MCRA) will be found, based on analyses of both mtDNA and Y-chromosome DNA,
where present. The firm�s scientific work is under the supervision of Dr.
Michael Hammer of the University of Arizona. The cost of testing, per person,
is $219, although discounted prices are available for multiple-individual
tests aimed at family reconstructions. Male samples get two tests --
Y-chromosome and mtDNA -- for the same price. It is preferable to use the
sample from a brother rather than sister because that way the father�s line
as well as the mother�s can be determined.
Dr. Sykes� work has concentrated on the seven matriarchal groups from
which most Europeans are descended, and which arose between 8,000 and
40,000 years ago. They have been popularized as "daughters of Eve" and
have been given names starting with the distinguishing letters by which
they are designated in scientific literature.
There is also another program with a genealogical orientation, under
the direction of Dr. Scott R. Woodward of Brigham Young University, but
information on test results is not provided to participants. They are
asked to take part solely to help in a research program that aims to
link DNA tests of 100,000 volunteers with worldwide locations from which
participants� ancestors came. Each participant is asked to submit a four-
generation pedigree chart and to have a small blood sample drawn, for
which they are paid $10. The program, launched in March of 2000,
attracted more than 2,100 volunteers by late June, and plans have been
made to accommodate additional volunteers at the Federation of
Genealogical Societies conference in Salt Lake City in September of 2000.
http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2985.asp
http://www.mumma.org/DNA.htm
My initial search led me to a company called GeneTree, Inc., who was
primarily performing DNA tests for paternity cases. They were branching
into testing for genealogical purposes. From various articles, I quickly
determined that it was highly desirable to use a testing laboratory that
was associated with a qualified and recognized genetic DNA research team.
GeneTree was working in close cooperation with Dr. Scott Woodward at BYU
and were thus fully qualified.
I also found a new startup company by the name, Family Tree DNA, Inc. This
company was founded strictly for performing genealogical DNA testing and
analysis. They were working closely with Dr. Michael Hammer of the
University of Arizona. Dr. Hammer is another highly respected geneticist
who has done much research on the Y-chromosome "Kohanim" project regarding
Jewish priests.
Contact was also made with another new company called Oxford Ancestors, a
British startup company who is associated with Dr. Bryan Sykes. While they
described Y-chromosome testing, they were not offering this service when I
initially began this project. The web site address and additional information
about these and other companies can be found on Kevin Duerinck's web site -
http://www.duerinck.com/dnalabs.html.
After discussions with these companies, Family Tree DNA was selected as the
organization to perform the Mumma Surname DNA extraction and analysis. This
was based on a number of factors. They offered the lowest price at that time
based on the number of participants signed up, they measured more "markers"
(12) used to create the surname "fingerprint" than any of the other companies
and the reputation of Dr. Michael Hammer who is actively pursuing DNA surname
research. You can visit Family Tree DNA's web site by clicking on their name.
Family Tree DNA
Email: [email protected]
test kit: $219
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