2009 October Facts

VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE

OCTOBER 2009

FACTS & GENES NEWSLETTER

REPRINT VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3

Forwarded From "Facts and Genes" with permission to reprint.

(see below)

Facts & Genes Volume 8, Issue 3

Editor's Corner

Welcome to this issue of Facts & Genes, our publication devoted to Genetic Genealogy.

This issue of Facts & Genes brings exciting news about a new goal and significantly reduced pricing. Family Tree DNA has set a goal of building the largest mtDNA full sequence database in the world to assist you with your genealogy. As the first step towards this goal, we are offering a special promotion for the mtDNA Full Sequence test and upgrades to this test. Please see our announcement below in the article "In the News: Family Tree DNA Announcements" for further information.

Oldest Known Ancestors Location for Mapping

65,744 members have added their most distant ancestor and location to their DNA result. Are you are missing out on how this feature can provide clues for your genealogy? See the article below titled "Genetic Genealogy: Oldest Known Ancestors Location for Mapping".

We hope you enjoy this issue.
Dexter

In The News

Family Tree DNA is pleased to announce milestones achieved and new features.

1. The following milestones have been achieved: Family Tree DNA now has over 265,000 test result records in our database. We have over 167,000 Y-DNA records and over 5,600 Surname Projects, which include over 91,000 surnames. Our mtDNA database contains over 98,000 results.

2. Family Tree DNA is pleased to announce the implementation of new technology for the mtDNA Full Sequence test. This new technology enables us to significantly reduce the price of the mtDNA Full Sequence test, as well as the price of upgrades from HVR1 and HVR2.

3. mtDNA Database Upgrade: Family Tree DNA has applied several upgrades to our mtDNA database. These upgrades bring everyone to the same mtDNA sequence and haplogroup nomenclatures. If you have tested your mtDNA, you may see that minor changes took place to your motif and haplogroup and, by extension, to your matches. These represent an upgrade due to developments in science and will improve the value of your matches. Additional updates may continue to take place in the future as science continues to advance. Changes to your results due to these updates do not indicate that your original results were wrong; only that improvements in our knowledge due to scientific advancements have allowed us to improve upon your original results and apply these updates to your account.

Starting a Surname Project

If you are thinking about starting a Surname Project, now is a great time to get started. Our educational resources and email and telephone consultation help you each step of the way. Feeling confused or overwhelmed will quickly pass, and be replaced with the excitement of new discoveries.

Anyone with some experience with family history research can start a Surname Project. We supply the tools and guidance to help you make your Surname Project successful.

There are just two steps to take to become a Group Administrator of a Surname Project:

1. Find out if a Surname Project exists for your surname. Click on this link to search our database of Surname Projects.

2. If a Surname Project has not been established for your surname, then use the email contact to establish or ask questions about establishing a Surname Project.

Events and Publications

October 29-31, 2009
International Black Genealogy Summit
Allen County Public Library
Fort Wayne, IN
Speaker: Bennett Greenspan, CEO, Family Tree DNA
Topic: DNA & African Americans
Be sure to visit the Family Tree DNA display.

Genetic Genealogy

mtDNA Full Sequence Test

The Family Tree DNA database currently holds over 6,100 mtDNA full sequences. We have set a new goal to build the most comprehensive mtDNA full sequence database in the world.

As a result of implementing new technology for the mtDNA Full Sequence test, Family Tree DNA has significantly reduced the price of the mtDNA Full Sequence test and upgrades from HVR1 and HVR2.

As a result, in October we are offering special prices on the mtDNA Full Sequence test and upgrades.

mtDNA Full Sequence    $229.00
Upgrade from HVR1      $199.00
Upgrade from HVR2      $179.00

The timing of this technology upgrade was planned to allow us to complete the hundreds of orders we received for Y-DNA Deep Clade tests.

The mtDNA Full Sequence test provides a result for the full mtDNA molecule, and is therefore the last mtDNA test you will ever need. An mtDNA full sequence match will enable you to find matches that are more likely to be related in a genealogical time frame.

The mtDNA Full Sequence test is ideal for those using mitochondrial DNA for maternal genealogy and those exploring more ancient ancestry. The test covers all three parts of your maternally inherited DNA:

HVR1 – 16001 to 16569

HVR2 – 00001 to 00574

The Coding Region (CR) – 00575 to 16000

If you've taken an mtDNA test or have contemplated taking an mtDNA test, be sure to take advantage of the special prices available in October. Orders need to be placed and paid by the end of the day October 31st.

To order, log into your personal page and click "Special Offers" in the "My Account" section in the menu on the left.

Oldest Known Ancestors Location for Mapping

If you have taken a Y-DNA or mtDNA test, you can gain more from your test results by entering information about your oldest direct male line or direct female line ancestor. As more people enter their information, the value of the My Maps feature increases.

With My Maps, you can see the ancestral locations of your matches. This information may provide a clue to finding your ancestral homeland, or a clue for further research.

Take a moment today to enter your most distant direct line male or direct line female ancestor information:

Log into your personal page. In the menu on the left, under My Maps, click "Plot Ancestral Locations".

Below the map you will find the entries for your most distant known paternal and maternal ancestors. If you have not made an entry before, the entries will say “No Label Saved” or “No Location Saved.” To add your direct male line ancestor, click the edit button on the left. To add your direct female line ancestor, click the edit button on the right.

Enter your ancestor’s name, date of birth, and date of death. Where a date is unknown, enter date unknown. This is a free form text field, so enter as much or as little information that is known.

Then click "Next Step." In step 2, you will identify the location of your most distant ancestor. You can now enter your location using natural language, such as Dublin, Ireland. You can also still enter the location by latitude and longitude. Choose either "Search by Location Name" or "Enter Latitude and Longitude". We recommend searching by location name.

You will now enter your most distant ancestor’s birth place. Perhaps you only know a general area, such as Ireland, and not a specific location. This is fine, and the pin on map will go in the country.

Perhaps you don't know your ancestor’s birth place, but do know where he or she married or where he or she is buried. Then in Step 1, where you entered information about your ancestor, also add a note that the location is for the marriage or for the burial. This will help the people you match when they see your ancestor’s pin on their map.

Once you have entered the information for your direct male line and direct female line ancestors, click "Maps" in the menu on the left to view your matches’ ancestral locations.

The color of the push pins on the map reflect how closely you match, from red for an exact match to grey for a 7 step genetic distance.

On the upper right is a button called "Map Instructions." Click on this button to get a tour and explanation of the different features of the map.

My Map is an exciting new tool which may help you in finding your ancestral location. For the tool to be very valuable, everyone needs to enter their most distant known ancestor's location. Please take a moment to do this today.

Additionally, your Group Administrator can select an option for the DNA Project web site to display the map of the location of most distant ancestors. If you are a Group Administrator, go to your Group Administration Page. Then click on Family Project Web site. This page is used to set up and maintain your web site. Move down the page, below the boxes, where you will see:

Display Ancestor's (Alleles) Map:
Display Ancestor's (mtDNA) Map:

Check the box to the right of the first line to display the Y-DNA most distant ancestor map. Check the box to the right of the second line to display the mtDNA most distant ancestor map.

The Group Administrator can also view a map of the most distant ancestor or of the participants' locations by going to the Group Administration Page and clicking "View Member Distribution Map."

Those who have tested are encouraged to add their most distant ancestor information today!

My Maps is an exciting step forward for all genealogists. Again, Family Tree DNA is the leader in Genetic Genealogy, consistently investing in new tools, features, and services for genealogists.

Take a few minutes today to enter the location of your oldest known direct line male ancestor and direct line female ancestor so everyone can benefit from My Maps.

Genetic Genealogy: An Adoptee’s Success Story

Recently, one of our customers shared his success story with the Wall Street Journal. The story of Richard Hill's 30 year search to find his paternal birth father and how he combined DNA testing with research to reach success was featured on the front page of the May 2, 2009 Wall Street Journal.

You can read the full story here.

You can see a video of Richard telling his story, in his own words.

Many individuals who were adopted are searching for information about their biological parents or general information about their family origins. With the largest Y-DNA and mtDNA databases in the world, Family Tree DNA gives you the best chance to find relevant information about your family.

Family Tree DNA provides testing for genealogists, and is the pioneer in the field of genetic genealogy. Your ancestors left clues to your genealogy in you and other descendents. You can unlock these clues with DNA testing.

DNA testing can show:

if two people are related

your suggested geographic origins

your deep ancestral origins.

Genetic Genealogy: Vendor Selection

Selecting a vendor for your DNA test or Surname Project is a very important step. Often, the vendor selected will determine the success of your project. If you are a participant, the vendor selected may determine whether you find matches and whether you maximize your investment in DNA testing, based on the size of the vendor's database.

Why test with Family Tree DNA?

Other than the cost of the test, all the following services are provided FOR FREE.

You will be included in the largest Y-DNA and mtDNA databases in the world.

You have total control over whether you compare your results only within your project or against the entire database.

The names and email addresses of your genetic matches are provided so that you may contact them.

Personal phone and e-mail support is provided by qualified personnel. Both the phones and email messages are answered by a human being and not by an automated response system.

Family Tree DNA is the only service which has a calculator, created by our population geneticist, that provides you with the likelihood of sharing a common ancestor with your genetic match within a certain time frame.

Family Tree DNA allows you to join, leave, and be part of multiple Projects at the same time, without any additional testing or cost.

As additional people test, your result will be matched against them and in case of a match, you will be immediately notified by e-mail.

Family Tree DNA allows you continued access to your account, projects, and matches without additional testing, cost or subscription fees.

Family Tree DNA is the only company that stores your DNA for 25 years allowing you to order additional tests using the original sample.

Family Tree DNA is the only company to offer the SNP Assurance Program: if no ancestral haplogroup can be estimated with 100% certainty, FTDNA will SNP test your sample for free.

Family Tree DNA is the only DNA testing service that partners with National Geographic’s Genographic Project and allows you to add your results to that project for a nominal fee that goes to the Genographic Legacy Fund.

To get an in-depth understanding of the multiple important factors involved in vendor selection, please read the articles shown below.

Facts & Genes 6.5	Facts & Genes 7.3
Facts & Genes 7.1	Facts & Genes 7.4
Facts & Genes 7.2	Facts & Genes 7.5

Every day, people and Surname Projects switch to Family Tree DNA. We understand that there is an additional cost to be re-tested, which is required to maintain our database integrity. A discount is provided to those who have tested elsewhere to make it easier for them to join Family Tree DNA, the leading vendor in Genetic Genealogy.

Click here to order if you have tested at another vendor.

Would you trust your project to a vendor where Genetic Genealogy is not their primary business?

For Group Admins

For Group Administrators: Annual Update

An annual update to your DNA Project Profile and DNA Project web site will help you recruit more participants. In the past year, you have learned more about DNA testing and recruited participants, and in the process you became aware of their questions and concerns. You can apply the knowledge you have gained to update your DNA Project Profile and DNA Project web site.

If is also helpful to get an independent review of your DNA Project Profile and DNA Project web site. Perhaps you have a friend whom you could ask for feedback.

Family Tree DNA has thousands of visitors each day who search a surname. If they encounter your DNA Project, will they be motivated to join?

Here are 10 tips to improve your DNA Project Profile and DNA Project web site:

keep scientific explanations and terminology at a minimum

avoid long explanations

avoid long paragraphs

cover the benefits: what can a participant gain?

convey enthusiasm

fancy graphics are not necessary

encourage them to contact you with questions or for further information

cover the results achieved so far

don't fill up the screen with words; leave white space

focus on discovery: what will the participant discover

Updating your DNA Project Profile and DNA Project web site will often improve recruiting success.

Case Studies in Genealogy

In each issue of the newsletter, we present a situation which you may encounter as you utilize Genetic Genealogy testing for your family history research, followed by our recommendation.

Our Surname Project now has 14 participants, representing 14 family trees, and no one has a match yet. What does this mean?

Recommendation

The first step is to learn more about your surname.

The ancestral country for your surname is England. Looking at a surname distribution map, based on the 1881 census, shows your surname present in every county except 2, and a concentration in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and London. The fact that the surname found in almost every county, plus the fact that there are over 17,000 persons with the surname in the 1881 census for England and Wales, indicates that this is a multiple origin surname. In addition, since your surname is an occupational surname, and the occupation was spread all over the country, there could be well over 100 origins, and perhaps significantly more. The occupation was not as common as many other occupations, which is a positive factor.

The population size of the surname in the UK as of 2002, according to the Office of National Statistics, is over 31,000.

A look at early occurrences, pre-1450, for rare and obscure sources, show only 24 occurrences, a very good sign, indicating a smaller number of origins than I expected. The large population in 1881 could be due to one or more trees ramifying.

A quick look at variants shows later occurrences, indicating late forming variants.

Based on the above information, the problem you face is that there are many origins for the surname, and you need multiple persons representing different origins to test in the UK to find a match. You may get lucky with the first one, though that would be unusual.

Suggested actions are:

Collect the pre-1600 recordings of the surname to identify locations for these early occurrences.

Join the genealogy societies for the counties with the highest frequency of the surname. Based on the 1881 UK Census, this would be Yorkshire, Lancashire, and London. Post to members interests about genealogy to attract people that you then can educate about DNA testing.

Join the genealogy societies for the counties with the early occurrences. Post interests as above.

If steps 2 and 3 yield no results, consider the second tier of counties.

At the same time, post to Rootsweb message boards for any county about genealogy of your surname and DNA testing. Spread out the posts so you don't get objections from the board administrators, and check with administrators first for their policy about posting about DNA. Be sure to include relevant genealogy information in your posting.

Consider direct mail to either phone book entries or the Electoral Roll. If you offer to pay for a DNA test, you will get a much higher response rate. Consider raising donations to fund UK tests. The quality of your letter determines your response rate, so invest in developing a quality letter.

Build up USA participation in the project. With only 14 persons tested, this is a very small group compared to the frequency of the surname.

Be patient. With a high frequency surname, it is more difficult, but not impossible, to find the connection to the UK.

I looked at the project, and several surnames are included that I don't think are variants, so I would break apart the project, extracting the surnames that are not variants, so there would be multiple group administrators, who would focus on recruiting for their group of surnames.

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, questions to be addressed, as well as suggestions for future articles. If you are a Group Administrator and can help others with tips or suggestions, please contact our editor.

About Facts & Genes

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