National Geographic Genographic Project

  1. How do I upload my Family Tree DNA results to the National Geographic Genographic project? faq id: 297
  2. Who is in charge of the National Genographic project? faq id: 310
  3. How will they protect my privacy? faq id: 311
  4. Will health aspects be part of the project? Will health or insurance companies have access to my information? faq id: 312
  5. What will I gain by participating? faq id: 319
  6. What tests does the Genographic Project offer? Will they help my genealogical study? faq id: 321
  7. I have already tested with the Genographic Project. How can I join Family Tree DNA? faq id: 326
  8. Where do I go to order the kit? faq id: 370

Questions and Answers

  1. How do I upload my Family Tree DNA results to the National Geographic Genographic project? faq id: 297

    Once you have mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) results, you may donate them to the Genographic Project. The cost is $15 US. Online payment is by credit card. To donate:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Go to the Genographic Project page.
    3. Check the I agree box to consent.
    4. Enter payment information.
    5. Click to complete the transfer.

    You may also pay by check. Mail to our office your check and request to donate. Once we transfer your results, we will send you an e-mail with your GPID (Genographic ID).

    Note: If you have results for both Y-DNA and mtDNA tests, only one charge will apply. Donate one test to the Genographic Project. Then, please use our feedback form to contact customer service. Include your kit number. We will submit the second test for FREE.

  2. Who is in charge of the National Genographic project? faq id: 310

    Spencer Wells, PhD leads The Genographic Project. He is a geneticist and an anthropologist. He is also a National Geographic explorer-in-residence. Dr. Wells works with other scientists to carry out global field research.

    In addition, the project has an advisory board. The Advisory Board includes leaders from many disciplines. They provide advice and oversight on funding priorities, ethical issues, and legal compliance. The board chair is Dr. Luca Cavalli-Sforza, a world-renowned geneticist.

    The board members are:

    • Dr. Luca Cavalli-Sforza (Chair)
    • Terry Garcia (EVP, Mission Programs, National Geographic Society)
    • Nick Donofrio (SVP, Technology and Manufacturing, IBM)
    • John Heubusch (President, Waitt Family Foundation)
    • Lord Colin Renfrew (Archaeologist)
    • Dr. Merrit Ruhlen (Linguist)
    • Dr. Meave Leakey (Paleoanthropologist)
    • Wade Davis (Cultural Anthropologist)
    • Tammy Williams (Indigenous Peoples' Advocate)
    • Scott Edwards (Evolutionary Geneticist)
    • Simon Longstaff (Ethicist)

  3. How will they protect my privacy? faq id: 311

    For privacy, each participant is given a Genographic Project ID (GPID). The GPID is random and non-sequential. National Geographic does not store any personal information with the GPID. The project uses this number to track your lab test and results. You will also use it to access your account.

    Note: You should keep your GPID in a safe location.

  4. Will health aspects be part of the project? Will health or insurance companies have access to my information? faq id: 312

    No. The Genographic Project's tests are for ancestry and more distant data. Their tests are not medical. They do not share results with third parties. This includes insurance firms.

  5. What will I gain by participating? faq id: 319

    The Genographic Project helps you learn about your deep ancestry. Test results tell about your ancestors' migrations. They also tell your place on the human family tree. For men, this is the direct paternal line. For women, it is the direct maternal lineage.

    Your results are on the project's website, https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html. Access the website with your Genographic Project ID (GPID) number. The GPID is part of the test kit.

  6. What tests does the Genographic Project offer? Will they help my genealogical study? faq id: 321

    The Genographic Project tests the Y-DNA12 markers for males and the mtDNA (HVR1) for females. These tests are best for historic and more distant ancestry.

    However, you may transfer your Genographic Project results to Family Tree DNA. You can then order more tests or upgrades. You may also order a test kit from Family Tree DNA.

  7. I have already tested with the Genographic Project. How can I join Family Tree DNA? faq id: 326

    After you have Genographic Project results, you may join Family Tree DNA. To do so:

    1. Login to the Genographic Project website. (https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/lan/en/journey.html)
    2. At the bottom of your results page, look for the Learn More link.
    3. Click on it, and agree to the Family Tree DNA transfer.

    During the transfer process, you can join a group project. Project membership includes a reduced rate for upgrades. Family Tree DNA will not need to collect your sample again. We store your DNA for 25 years - FREE of charge.

  8. Where do I go to order the kit? faq id: 370

    You may order a kit from the Genographic Project on their website, https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/lan/en/journey.html.