FamilyTreeDNA test your DNA by using a swab that you rub against your cheeks. It is recommended that you do it in the morning after you wake up. Your results are then added to their database and provide you with people that match your DNA. They have the atDNA test which looks at the DNA form all your ancestors, the mtDNA which looks only at your maternal DNA, and also provide the Y-DNA for your paternal DNA. Remember if you are a female you can not do the Y-DNA but you can always find a brother or a male cousin to test. Below you will find more information as to what you get out of their different tests. If you want to get your feet wet with FamilyTreeDNA I recommend that you start off with their FamilyFinder test since it starts at $99.00. You can always upgrade to the more expensive tests at a later time.
What You Get
FamilyFinder (atDNA)
After you get your results back for this test you will have access to the following tools:
Matches - You will get a list possible cousins and the estimated relationship to you. Don't be disappointed since many of them don't have trees attached to their accounts, since it is anew feature. Also from my own experience only about 1 in 5 people respond to messages.
myOrigins - Provides you with your ethnic breakdown based on their own interpretation of the data. It also provides you with a visual world map and also has an option to pin down your matches also on the map.
Chromosome Browser - This tool will let you compare matched DNA for each of your chromosomes.
Matrix - This tool will help you narrow down your matches of the x-chromosome.
Known Relationships - So far I only have one and that is Crispin Rendon we are 5th cousins. As you figure out how you relate to others you can mark them down in this section to keep track of them.
Advanced Matches - This tool lets you select between many choices to narrow down the possible ways that you may be related to someone else.
Download Raw Data - This tool will let you download your raw data in case you want to upload it to GedMATCH.
mtDNA
Once you get your mtDNA results you will gain access to the following options at Family Tree DNA
Matches - If any you will get a list of people that you match on your direct maternal side. Just keep in mind that you and your matches have a common ancestors but it could be hundreds if not thousands of years ago.
Results - The results page will provide you with your haplogroup and also show you the mutations that make you different form everyone else.
Migration Maps - This page will show you the migration map that your maternal line migrated through.
Ancestral Origins - This page will show you in what countries your ancestral maternal DNA has been found at.
Haplogroup Origins - This page is very similar to the Ancestral origins page and will also show you the countries that your mtDNA has been found at thus getting an idea where it might have originated.
Matches Maps - This page will provide you with a map of your mtDNA matches so that you can quickly see where they are located at.
Print Certificates - This page will let you print with a certificate to help you understand your results, an mtDNA certificate with your haplogroup, and an mtDNA Migration Map.
Y-DNA
Once you test your y-DNA with Family Tree DNA you get access to the following features.
Matches - If any you will get a list of people that you match on your direct paternal side. Just keep in mind that you and your matches have a common ancestor but it could be hundreds of years ago.
Haplotree & SNP's - This page provides you with a genetic tree and your results are shown so you can see where you fit in, in the tree.
Migration Maps - This page provides an interactive migration map of your haplogroup indicating how it made it's way out of Africa.
Ancestral Origins - Shows the country of your matches at all the markers that you have tested at.
Haplogroup Origins - Shows your matches and their country of origins also.
SNP Map - This map lets you chose your haplogroup and your SNP's and then places all your matches in a world chart to get a representation where clusters of your playgroup are located at.
Matches Maps - This page lets you select form all the markers that you have tested for and will provide you with a map of your matches and information about them.
Print Certificates - This page will let you print a page that can help you understand your results, your Y-DNA STR Certificate, and also a Y-DNA Migration Map.
What We Think About FamilyTreeDNA
Their FamilyFinder test is a good place to start but keep in mind that you will have to send many messages to start networking with people. Also keep in mind that not everyone has a family tree nor tested with them for genealogy purposes. Many people tested for medical purposes. Also keep in mind that everything listed in this page is for three separate tests the FamilyFinder (atDNA), the mt-DNA, and the Y-DNA tests.
Is FamilyTreeDNA Right for You?
Now if you are trying to establish paternal or maternal line proof then the mtDNA and Y-DNA are great for you. You can also join many of the DNA project groups that are available.
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