myFTDNA 2.0 User Guide: mtDNA

  1. What is the mtDNA - Matches page? faq id: 1832
  2. What is the Advanced Matching page? faq id: 1834
  3. What is the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page? faq id: 1836
  4. What is the mtDNA - Haplogroup Origins page? faq id: 1838
  5. What is the mtDNA - Results page? faq id: 1840
  6. What is the Matches Maps page? faq id: 1842
  7. What is the mtDNA - Printable Certificates page? faq id: 1844
  8. What is the mtDNA - Migration Maps page? faq id: 1845
  9. Are all of my mtDNA matches in the database shown on the mtDNA - Matches page? faq id: 1847
  10. On the mtDNA - Matches page, are only exact matches shown? faq id: 1848
  11. On the mtDNA - Matches page, what do the blue icons with pedigree lines indicate? faq id: 1849
  12. On the mtDNA - Matches page, what do the (HVR2) and (FMS) next to matches' names indicate? faq id: 1851
  13. On the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page, are only exact matches shown? faq id: 1852
  14. On the mtDNA - Haplogroup Origins page, are only exact matches shown? faq id: 1853
  15. On the mtDNA - Migrations Maps page, the lines and arrows on the Migration Map point to specific locations. Do the locations have a special significance? faq id: 1854
  16. On the mtDNA - Migrations Maps page, what is the source of the percentages for the Frequency map? faq id: 1855
  17. How do I download my FASTA file? faq id: 1856
  18. Where do I find the matches from my New mtDNA Matches e-mail notice? faq id: 1857
  19. I do not remember which mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) test I took. How do I tell? faq id: 2165
  20. On the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page, what does "Unknown Origin" mean? faq id: 2166
  21. On the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page, why do some of my matches show "United States?" faq id: 2167
  22. What is SmartMatching? How does it impact my mtDNA matches? Where is it used? faq id: 2168

Questions and Answers

  1. What is the mtDNA - Matches page? faq id: 1832

    The mtDNA - Matches page allows you to view your match list from one of our mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests. It contains lists of your matches (if you have them) at each level you have tested. Only people who signed the release form are listed here.

    • Name - This is your match's name.* This field also includes:
      • A link to their personal profile. Click on their name to view their profile.
      • A link to their e-mail address.
      • GEDCOM/Family Tree (where they have one).
      • A link to add a note or a link to view/edit a note.
      • Testing levels for their Family Finder and mtDNA.** Note that this indicates they have tested and not that they match you. You may check for them as a match on the respective matches page or on the Advanced Matches page.
    • Most Distant Ancestor - This is your match's most distant known ancestor on their direct maternal line.
    • mtDNA Haplogroup - This is your match's mtDNA haplogroup according to their testing.
    • Match Date - This is when we matched you and your maternal genetic cousin in the Family Tree DNA database. If you and your match received results of different dates, it is the earlier of the two result dates.

    You can sort each column by clicking on the column name. The following filters allow you to choose the matching level and project.

    • Level - This is the testing level for viewing matches.
    • Matches Per Page - This is the number of matches displayed on each page: 25, 100, 500, or 1,000.

    * Some of your matches may have chosen not to see or be seen by matches at one or more testing levels. They will be shown as Private. You may read more about this here.

    ** These are the mtDNA shorthand, testing levels (products), and matching levels.

    Shorthand Testing Level Matching Level
    HVR1 mtDNA HVR1
    HVR2 mtDNAPlus HVR1 & HVR2
    FMS mtFullSequence HVR1, HVR2, & Coding Region

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMatches

  2. What is the Advanced Matching page? faq id: 1834

    The Advanced Matching page allows you to compare genetic matching from multiple types of DNA tests: Family Finder, mtDNA, and Y-DNA. You may select filtering options in the Filter section and view matching results in the Results section.

    Filter

    • Test types - You may select all or specific test types from Y-DNA, mtDNA, and Family Finder tests. Your options depend upon the tests you have taken.
    • Show Matches from - Limit matches to those who match on all results or view those who match on any selected result.
    • Last Name Starts with - Filter matches by surname matching.
    • Show Matches for - View matches from the entire Family Tree DNA database, or limit them to a specific project.
    • Results per Page - Choose the number of results you wish to view on a page.

    Results

    • Name - This is your match's name.* This field also includes:
      • A link to their personal profile. Click on their name to view their profile.
      • A link to their e-mail address.
      • A link to the TiP program (For those with Y-DNA Results).
      • GEDCOM/Family Tree (where they have one).
      • A link to add a note or a link to view/edit a note.
      • Testing levels for their Family Finder, mtDNA, and standard Y-DNA tests.**
    • Match Date - This represents the date on which you were matched with this person.
    • Y-DNA Haplogroup - This is your match's Y-DNA haplogroup according to their testing. If they have not taken a Y-DNA SNP test, we show a, "-", dash.
    • mtDNA Haplogroup - This is your match's mtDNA haplogroup according to their testing.
    • Y-DNA Columns - These (Y-DNA12, Y-DNA25, Y-DNA37, Y-DNA67, and Y-DNA111) show the genetic distance between you and your match. Exact matches are zero steps.
    • mtDNA Columns - These (shorthand HVR1, HVR2, and FMS)* show the genetic distance between you and your exact matches (zero steps).
    • Family Finder - This is relationship range between you and your matches.
    • Match Date - This is when we matched you and your genetic cousin in the Family Tree DNA database. If you and your match received results of different dates, it is the earlier of the two result dates.

    You can sort each column by clicking on the column name.

    * Note that some of your matches may have chosen not to see or be seen by matches at one or more testing levels. They will be shown as Private. You may read more about this here.

    ** These are the mtDNA shorthand, testing levels (products), and matching levels.

    Shorthand Testing Level Matching Level
    HVR1 mtDNA HVR1
    HVR2 mtDNAPlus HVR1 & HVR2
    FMS mtFullSequence HVR1, HVR2, & Coding Region

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

  3. What is the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page? faq id: 1836

    The mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page allows you to view the ancestry information for your matches from one of our mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests.

    • Country - This is the maternal country of origin.
    • Your Matches - This is the number of matches.
    • Match Total - This is the total number of matches for a specific country.
    • Country Total - This is the total number of people with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) results from the country of origin in the Family Tree DNA database.
    • Percentage - This is the percentage from the country of origin compared to the total number from that country in the database, i.e., the Match Total column divided by the Country Total column.
    • Comment - This is additional information such as a social, religious, or ethnic group. Where more than one match from a country has provided the same comment, the number of matches is shown beside the comment. For example, someone with matches in Germany might have Baden-Württemberg (2) and Schleswig-Holstein (7).

    Note: Family Tree DNA uses the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 3166 for country names.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAAncestralOrigins

  4. What is the mtDNA - Haplogroup Origins page? faq id: 1838

    The mtDNA - Haplogroup Origins page allows you to view the haplogroup information for your matches from one of our mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests.

    • Haplogroup - This is your matches' haplogroup as determined by their Backbone SNP testing or their mtDNA full sequence test results.
    • Country - This is your matches' maternal country of origin.
    • Comment - This is additional information such as a social, religious, or ethnic group each match has provided.
    • Match Total - This is the total number of matches.

    Note: Family Tree DNA uses the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 3166 for country names.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAHaplogroupOrigins

  5. What is the mtDNA - Results page? faq id: 1840

    The mtDNA - Results page shows the actual results of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests that you have taken. These are the sections.

    • Haplogroup - This is your mtDNA haplogroup. Haplogroups are our place on the maternal tree tracing all people alive today back to a common maternal ancestor in Africa. Knowing your haplogroup allows us to identify your direct maternal origin.
      If you have mtDNA full sequence results, it is determined using them. Otherwise, it is determined with a Backbone Haplogroup test.
    • Your Origin - This gives an overview of the history and the geography of your haplogroup. The distributions of mtDNA haplogroups and their branches follow historic population movements. Therefore, the locations and distribution of haplogroups today can help us understand the history of our ancestor. Some haplogroups are specific to Africa, Europe, Asia, the islands of the Pacific, the Americas, and even particular ethnic groups. Of course, haplogroups from one region are sometimes found in another due to unique population movements.
    • Your Results - This shows your test results compared to the Reconstructed Sapiens Reference Sequence (RSRS).
      • Extra Mutations and Missing Mutations (mtDNA Full Sequence Only) - This shows your differences from the modal values of your haplogroup. Extra Mutations are those that you have but are not part of the modal haplotype for your assigned haplogroup. Missing mutations are those mutations that are expected for your assigned haplogroup but that you do not have. Some mutations in each area may be common faster mutating ones such as the 309.1C insertion. Others may be either significant mutations that have not yet been defined on the tree or personal mutations specific to you or your recent genealogical lineage.
      • RSRS Values - This section shows your differences from the Reconstructed Sapiens Reference Sequence (RSRS). The RSRS is based on the deepest common maternal ancestor to all people alive today as well as several ancient humanoids. A comparison of your sequence to this reference reveals clearly the path between you and our shared maternal ancestor.
      • FASTA File - The FASTA button allows you to download your results in the FASTA file format. This is a format commonly used by population geneticists.
    • Additional Tabs - These tabs show more advanced options for understanding your mtDNA Results.
      • rCRS Values - This section shows your differences from the historic revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS). The rCRS is based on the first complete mtDNA sequence completed. The information in this section is for historic reference only.
      • mtDNA Community - This section allows you to donate your results for scientific research. Please read the Your Scientific Collaboration: mtDNA Community page carefully before participating.

    Alert: This page was updated on 12 December 2012 as part of Family Tree DNA's conversion to the RSRS standard.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAResults

  6. What is the Matches Maps page? faq id: 1842

    The Matches Maps page show maps of your and your matches' Most Distant Known Ancestors (MDKA) geographic locations. Maps are available for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA). To learn more about comparing matches, click on the Understanding Your Matches button. It is located at the top right corner of the map.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    MatchingMaps

  7. What is the mtDNA - Printable Certificates page? faq id: 1844

    The mtDNA - Printable Certificates page allows you to access supporting documents and your mtDNA Results certificate. Files provided in CSV format can be viewed using Microsoft Excel or other compatible spreadsheet software. Documents in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNADownloadPrintCertificate

  8. What is the mtDNA - Migration Maps page? faq id: 1845

    The mtDNA - Migration Maps page shows two maps to help you visualize your direct maternal ancestors' historic and anthropological migrations.

    The first is the Haplogroup Migrations Map. It shows general migration paths for the major haplogroups.

    The second is the Haplogroup Frequency map. It shows the frequency of the major haplogroups for different world regions.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMigrationMaps

  9. Are all of my mtDNA matches in the database shown on the mtDNA - Matches page? faq id: 1847

    All of your mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) matches who have signed a release form and have opted-into database matching are shown on the mtDNA - Matches page. However, those who have not signed a release form or have opted-out of database matching are not shown.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMatches

  10. On the mtDNA - Matches page, are only exact matches shown? faq id: 1848

    There are currently two sets of rules for mtDNA matching.

    • For those who have tested HVR1 (mtDNA) or HVR1 and HVR2 (mtDNAPlus), only exact matches are shown. SmartMatching is also used to prevent a match between different haplogroups.
    • For those who have tested the mtDNA Full Sequence (mtFullSequence), four differences are allowed. These differences include cases of heteroplasmy. Two high frequency insertion/deletion locations are completely excluded from difference counts. These are mutations at positions 309 and 315.

    Alert: This was updated on 12 December 2012 as part of Family Tree DNA's conversion to the RSRS standard.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMatches

  11. On the mtDNA - Matches page, what do the blue icons with pedigree lines indicate? faq id: 1849

    On the mtDNA - Matches page, the blue icons with the pedigree lines indicate that a match has uploaded their genealogy information as a GEDCOM file. You may view their information by clicking on the icon.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMatches

  12. On the mtDNA - Matches page, what do the (HVR2) and (FMS) next to matches' names indicate? faq id: 1851

    On the mtDNA - Matches page, the (HVR2) and (FMS) next to your matches' names indicates that they have tested at a higher level. These are the short hand designations, the testing level (product), and the actual matching level for each mtDNA test.

    Short Hand Testing Level Matching Level
    HVR1 mtDNA HVR1
    HVR2 mtDNAPlus HVR1 & HVR2
    FMS mtFullSequence HVR1, HVR2, & Coding Region

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMatches

  13. On the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page, are only exact matches shown? faq id: 1852

    On the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page, in addition to exact mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) matches from both our customer and our academic databases, this includes matching to those academic samples that have only tested part of HVR1.

    For matches to other Family Tree DNA customers, there are two sets of rules.

    • For those who have tested HVR1 (mtDNA) or HVR1 and HVR2 (mtDNAPlus), only exact matches are shown. SmartMatching is also used to prevent a match between different haplogroups.
    • For those who have tested the mtDNA Full Sequence (mtFullSequence), four differences are allowed. These differences include cases of heteroplasmy. Two high frequency insertion/deletion locations are completely excluded from difference counts. These are mutations at positions 309 and 315.

    Alert: This was updated on 12 December 2012 as part of Family Tree DNA's conversion to the RSRS standard.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAAncestralOrigins

  14. On the mtDNA - Haplogroup Origins page, are only exact matches shown? faq id: 1853

    On the mtDNA - Haplogroup Origins page, in addition to exact mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) matches from both our customer and our academic databases, this includes matching to those academic samples that have only tested part of HVR1.

    For matches to other Family Tree DNA customers, there are two sets of rules.

    • For those who have tested HVR1 (mtDNA) or HVR1 and HVR2 (mtDNAPlus), only exact matches are shown. SmartMatching is also used to prevent a match between different haplogroups.
    • For those who have tested the mtDNA Full Sequence (mtFullSequence), four differences are allowed. These differences include cases of heteroplasmy. Two high frequency insertion/deletion locations are completely excluded from difference counts. These are mutations at positions 309 and 315.

    Alert: This was updated on 12 December 2012 as part of Family Tree DNA's conversion to the RSRS standard.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAAncestralOrigins

  15. On the mtDNA - Migrations Maps page, the lines and arrows on the Migration Map point to specific locations. Do the locations have a special significance? faq id: 1854

    The lines and arrows on the mtDNA Migration map are not specific to exact locations. Rather, they are meant to provide a general migration direction.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMigrationMaps

  16. On the mtDNA - Migrations Maps page, what is the source of the percentages for the Frequency map? faq id: 1855

    On the mtDNA - Migrations Maps page, the Frequency map uses data from our customer and research databases.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMigrationMaps

  17. How do I download my FASTA file? faq id: 1856

    You may download a FASTA formatted file of your mtDNA results on the mtDNA - Results page. To do so:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Select Results from the mtDNA menu on the menu bar.
    3. In the Your Results section, click on the Fasta button.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAResults

  18. Where do I find the matches from my New mtDNA Matches e-mail notice? faq id: 1857

    Your mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) matches are shown on the mtDNA - Matches page. To access it:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Select Matches from the mtDNA menu on the menu bar.

    We would like this User Guide to be as complete and helpful to our customers and project administrators as possible. Please send us your requests and suggestions for improvement. Send Feedback.

    mtDNAMatches

  19. I do not remember which mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) test I took. How do I tell? faq id: 2165

    There are three levels of testing for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). To determine your current testing level you can check your mtDNA - Results page in your myFTDNA account.

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Go to the mtDNA - Results page.
    3. At the top of the page look for a table or tables showing differences from the Reconstructed Sapiens Reference Sequence (RSRS).
      Haplogroup - H
      HVR1 differences from RSRS
      A16129G T16187C C16189T T16223C
      G16230A T16278C C16311T      
             
             
             
             
             
             
      HVR2 differences from RSRS
       G73A C146T C152T C195T
      A247G 309.1C 315.1C  
             
             
             
             
             
             
      Coding Region differences from RSRS
      A769G A825t A1018G G2706A
      A2758G C2885T T3594C G4104A
      T4312C T7028C G7146A T7256C
      A7521G T8468C T8655C G8701A
      C9540T G10398A T10664C A10688G
      C10810T C10873T C10915T A11719G
      A11914G T12705C G13105A G13276A
      T13506C T13650C T14766C  
    4. Your results indicate the mtDNA tests that have results back.
      • If you have only tested HVR1 then you will only have one table for HVR1 differences from RSRS.
      • If you have tested HVR1 and HVR2 then you will have one table each for HVR1 differences from RSRS and HVR2 differences from RSRS.
      • If you have tested the Mitochondrial DNA Full Genomic Sequence then you will have three tables; one for HVR1 differences from RSRS, one for HVR2 differences from RSRS, and one for coding region differences from RSRS.
    5. If you think that you have ordered additional mtDNA tests then check the My Account - Pending Results page (this page only appears when there is a test still in process at the lab). It will list any tests that have pending results.

  20. On the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page, what does "Unknown Origin" mean? faq id: 2166

    The mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page lists the countries of origin reported to us by the people that you match. If these individuals did not tell us a country of origin, either because they do not know or because they did not want to share it, we entered them as "Unknown Origin."

  21. On the mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page, why do some of my matches show "United States?" faq id: 2167

    The mtDNA - Ancestral Origins page lists the country of origin reported to us by the people that you match. This country of origin is meant to be the country their maternal ancestor came from before any migrations to the Americas. However, some people instead enter the country of birth for themselves, their parents, or their most distant known ancestor. You should treat these entries as "Unknown Origin" unless your mtDNA test result indicates Native American ancestry on your maternal line.

  22. What is SmartMatching? How does it impact my mtDNA matches? Where is it used? faq id: 2168

    SmartMatching is a tool that is used to limit your mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) matches and the information about your matches historic and anthropological migrations to those that are relevant.

    Some mtDNA sequences may look the same in the HVR1 and HVR2 regions yet belong to different haplogroups. These sequences are unrelated in recent or even more distant times. Therefore, we do not show them on your mtDNA Matches, mtDNA Ancestral Origins, and mtDNA Haplogroup Origins pages.

    Note: Some individuals have taken more extensive haplogroup tests or have tested their mtDNA full genomic sequences to provide them with a more specific haplogroup. In these cases, we still display the name, e-mail, and origin information for those with haplogroup assignments that may be related.