Family Tree DNA: Genetic Testing Service

Bennett Greenspan, President
Kevin Brook, Affiliate

Family Tree DNA is a genetics testing service which allows men and women to compare their paternal and maternal DNA respectively with the DNA of other men and women from around the world. This can help establish links with cousins many times removed, and can help identify which haplotypes a person possesses (which can sometimes pinpoint a geographic or ethnic origin for a family's heritage). If you closely match a person in the database, you will be able to contact that person if there is mutual consent by both parties.

Three general types of paternal marker tests are available: a 12 marker Y-DNA test, a 25 marker Y-DNA test, and a 37 marker Y-DNA test. The 25 marker test is more intricate than the 12 marker test, but both tests will compare your DNA with those of every other test subject. The 37 marker test is meant for highly specific genealogical testing, particularly if you're participating in a specific family surname study or need to substantially narrow the timeframe of relatedness. Only men qualify for Y-DNA testing.

Some mtDNA testing services -- including Maternal Match, mtDNARefine, and mtDNAPlus -- are also available for identifying a maternal lineage. Whereas Maternal Match tests only one region of mtDNA, mtDNAPlus tests two regions. Both men and women can sign up for a mtDNA test.

Also available for men is the DNAWorks test, which is the most comprehensive genetic testing service available. It puts together the power of Y-DNA25, mtDNA, and DNAPrint, allowing men to receive detailed analysis of their ancestry and anthropology. For instance, it reports on percentages of a man's ancestry that are attributable to major population groups, such as American Indian, East Asian, Indo-European, Sub-Saharan African, etc.

Family Tree DNA specializes in a number of areas, including American Indian ancestry, Melungeon ancestry, and Jewish ancestry, and there are also many ongoing surname projects, but people from all ethnic backgrounds are invited to use these services.

For more information about Family Tree DNA,
and to sign up for a test,
visit Family Tree DNA today!