General

  1. When should I use a genetic testing service? faq id: 304
  2. Will you analyze health information? Will you allow insurance companies to have access to any information? faq id: 327
  3. Do you have a test that will tell me what proportion of my ancestry comes from different ethnic groups and populations? faq id: 336
  4. Can I test to determine if I have ancestry from one ethnic group such as Native American, Jewish, or an African group? faq id: 337
  5. What are Family Tree DNA group projects? Do you charge money to run or belong to one? faq id: 339
  6. How do I start a group project? faq id: 387
  7. What is Family Tree DNA's policy on e-mail and phone customer service time? faq id: 566
  8. Who owns and runs Family Tree DNA? faq id: 888
  9. What is Family Tree DNA's relationship with these companies: African DNA, DNA Ancestry and Family Origin, DNA World Wide, iGenea? faq id: 1684
  10. What is Family Tree DNA's relationship with myHeritage? What is Family Tree DNA's relationship with The Genealogist? faq id: 2081
  11. I am considering testing with a company that uses your lab. Does Family Tree DNA certify or screen projects and affiliates? Should I consider their use of the Family Tree DNA lab an endorsement of the company by Family Tree DNA? faq id: 2123

Questions and Answers

  1. When should I use a genetic testing service? faq id: 304

    You should use a DNA test to help solve genealogy puzzles. The exact problem decides the best test to use. When genealogy records do not exist, our tests help.

  2. Will you analyze health information? Will you allow insurance companies to have access to any information? faq id: 327

    No. Family Tree DNA does not sell medical DNA tests. Our tests are for ancestry and genealogy. They are not sold for nor suited to medical diagnosis or prediction.

    We do not share your results. This includes insurance firms. In addition, in 2008, the GINA Act passed in the United States. The GINA Act stops insurance firms from using DNA test results to deny coverage.

    TermsOfService

  3. Do you have a test that will tell me what proportion of my ancestry comes from different ethnic groups and populations? faq id: 336

    Yes. The Family Finder test includes the Population Finder tool. It finds the amount DNA ancestry from different population groups.

    See also: The Population Finder FAQ

  4. Can I test to determine if I have ancestry from one ethnic group such as Native American, Jewish, or an African group? faq id: 337

    Yes. Our tests can tell you if you have ancestry from a population group.

    Our Y-DNA tests trace the direct paternal line. This is your father's father's father. This is the best test to use when you want clear proof of ancestry on your direct paternal line.

    Our mitochondrial DNA tests trace the direct maternal line. This is your mother's mother's mother. This is the best test when you want clear proof of ancestry on your direct maternal line.

    The Population Finder tool finds ancestry from all of your lineages. It also provides a percentage of your ancestry.

    Finding Your Roots Henry Louis Gates

  5. What are Family Tree DNA group projects? Do you charge money to run or belong to one? faq id: 339

    At Family Tree DNA, our group projects are for genealogy and history fans. They allow you to work together. This is the best way to reach your goals. To support this:

    • We do not charge to start or run a group project through our website.
    • We provide volunteer project administrators a secure interface to manage their project.
    • We offer FREE analysis of test results.
    • Membership in a group project is FREE.
    • We offer a FREE Public Project Website to display project news and results.
    • We give Group projects reduced test pricing.

    Is your interest in verifying a genealogy? Is it in tracing historic migrations? Group projects can help.

  6. How do I start a group project? faq id: 387

    If you would like to start a group project, please fill out the project application. Please include any questions in the application form.

    You may also contact Family Tree DNA's customer service representatives using the Feedback form. They are happy to answer questions about being a group project administrator.

    Note: Family Tree DNA will not create new projects that overlap with the themes and goals of current projects. Before you apply, make sure that we do not have a project with the same theme.

    To search our projects, visit our homepage (http://www.familytreedna.com). Use the Project Search on the right side of the page. If you find a project with a similar theme, you can contact the group administrator. You may be able to help with the group project.

  7. What is Family Tree DNA's policy on e-mail and phone customer service time? faq id: 566

    If after searching for an answer to your question in this FAQ you still need clarification, Family Tree DNA's Customer Service Representatives are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please contact us using the Feedback Form so that a Customer Service Representative can prepare an appropriate, researched response. Please note that the amount of time that we have available for telephone calls is limited by the volume of calls that we receive.

  8. Who owns and runs Family Tree DNA? faq id: 888

    Family Tree DNA's President and CEO is Bennett Greenspan. Our vice president of operations and marketing is Max Blankfeld. You may read more about them and the scientific advisory board on our About page.

    See also: About Family Tree DNA

  9. What is Family Tree DNA's relationship with these companies: African DNA, DNA Ancestry and Family Origin, DNA World Wide, iGenea? faq id: 1684

    Each of these companies has a testing partnership with Family Tree DNA. At Family Tree DNA, we provide DNA Kits, testing services, and DNA storage. After testing with any of these companies, customers may access their results through the Family Tree DNA website, and they enjoy all of the privileges of Family Tree DNA customers.

    With the exception of African DNA, which is part of the Family Tree DNA group of websites, each partner company maintains its own website maintained by its own Information Technology department. Although their webpages may link to content on the Family Tree DNA site, they create their own content. Therefore, Family Tree DNA does not endorse the content of these websites. Nor are we in any way liable for the accuracy of their content.

    At Family Tree DNA, we do encourage those who have tested with us or our testing partners to make use of the materials on our website and contact us with any questions about your test results.

    See also: What do the different letters on my project members' kit numbers mean?

    TermsOfService

  10. What is Family Tree DNA's relationship with myHeritage? What is Family Tree DNA's relationship with The Genealogist? faq id: 2081

    As part of affiliate agreements, myHeritage and The Genealogist sell Family Tree DNA tests through their respective websites. These kits have standard Family Tree DNA kit numbers. All testing and results are the same as those for other Family Tree DNA customers.

    TermsOfService

  11. I am considering testing with a company that uses your lab. Does Family Tree DNA certify or screen projects and affiliates? Should I consider their use of the Family Tree DNA lab an endorsement of the company by Family Tree DNA? faq id: 2123

    Family Tree DNA neither certifies nor endorses groups or organizations that choose to act as resellers of our DNA Tests. While all group projects run through Family Tree DNA are expected to follow our GAP Guidelines, we make absolutely no guaranty about the quality or utility of other goods or services they offer.

    Note: Any affiliate or reseller of Family Tree DNA products will provide kit and password information so that those tested may enjoy the full use of a myFTDNA account. If you feel that you have not received this or suspect that the company has not sold you an actual Family Tree DNA test, please contact our customer service.