Group Projects: Participants

  1. What is a group project? faq id: 301
  2. What is a Surname Project? faq id: 389
  3. What is a Geographic Project? faq id: 390
  4. What is a Maternal (mtDNA) Lineage Project? faq id: 391
  5. What is a Haplogroup Project? faq id: 392
  6. Why should I participate in a project? faq id: 393
  7. How can I participate in a project? faq id: 394
  8. How does project participation affect my privacy? faq id: 395
  9. Will participating in a project limit my matches? Will I still be able to match against the entire database? faq id: 396
  10. How many projects can I join? faq id: 398
  11. Who are the Group Administrators of projects? faq id: 399
  12. What is the cost to join or test in a project? faq id: 400
  13. I’ve already tested. How do I join or remove myself from a project? faq id: 401
  14. What happens to my results if I decide to leave a project? faq id: 402
  15. What if my surname or region is not listed? faq id: 403
  16. Why am I being asked to fill out a Join Request? faq id: 404
  17. I know that the group administrator for a project has violated the GAP Guidelines. Who do I tell? faq id: 1361
  18. What are projects' Group General Funds? faq id: 1661
  19. How do I contribute to a group project's general fund? faq id: 1682

Questions and Answers

  1. What is a group project? faq id: 301

    Group projects are an opportunity to work with others to explore your genetic heritage. They are usually focused on a common geographic origin, surname, or ethnic heritage. They may also be based on some other aspect of a paternal or maternal lineage.

    Family Tree DNA encourages customers' participation in lineage and geographical projects. By transferring routine data management tasks to project administrators, we are able to offer a discounted testing rate to those who order through a project. Membership is FREE and voluntary. You may join or leave a project at any time.

    Those who take a Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) Test may join:

    • Paternal lineage projects such as a Surname Project for all who have the same surname or a variant. Paternal lineage projects may also be a project specific to a suspected shared ancestor.
    • Y-Chromosome Geographical Projects to verify a possible point of origin for the paternal line.
    • After testing, you may join a Y-chromosome Haplogroup project to explore your haplogroup in a historic context.

    Those who take a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Test may join:

    • Maternal Lineage Projects for individuals that have or suspect having the same maternal line.
    • Mitochondrial Geographical Projects to verify a possible point of origin for the maternal line.
    • After testing, you may join an mtDNA Haplogroup project to explore your haplogroup in a historic context.

    Note: Members may join or leave a project at any time; however, it is important to note that while Family Tree DNA does not impose a limit in the number of projects one can join, we will not tolerate joining multiple projects with the purpose of data mining or finding information that is not relevant to one's personal ancestral origins. Family Tree DNA reserves the right to remove people from projects at its sole discretion or if it feels that a participant is abusing the system in a way that it may infringe another participant's privacy.

  2. What is a Surname Project? faq id: 389

    A Surname Project studies the different Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) lineages associated with a surname or group of surnames. It may be narrowly focused on one particularly spelling variant in a specific location. It may also include all known variants of a surname in any time or place.

    Because surnames often follow a Y-DNA lineage for many generations it is typical for surname project participants to be men with that surname. Of course, women (and men who are interested in their ancestry beyond their direct paternal line) may have an appropriate representative of the line they are interested in testing.

  3. What is a Geographic Project? faq id: 390

    A Geographic Project connects individuals whose direct line comes from a specific location. The focus of a Geographic Project may be for a town, county, country, or region. We have three different types of Geographic Projects: Y-DNA, mtDNA, and Dual Geographic Projects.

    Y-DNA Geographic projects are for those who have taken a Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) test. MtDNA Geographic Projects are for individuals who have taken a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) test. Dual Geographic Projects are for individuals who order an mtDNA or Y-DNA test. Either their direct maternal line or direct paternal line originates in this area.

    If your direct maternal or direct paternal line does not come from the location, you may have a relative test.

  4. What is a Maternal (mtDNA) Lineage Project? faq id: 391

    Maternal (mtDNA) Lineage Projects are for those who wish to prove a connection to a common maternal ancestor. Both males and females can order a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) test and participate. Because mtDNA traces your direct maternal lineage (mother's mother's mother...) though your own participation is limited to that specific line.

    If you are interested in confirming a connection to a maternal line and it is other than your direct maternal line then you may have a cousin with the appropriate mtDNA test.

  5. What is a Haplogroup Project? faq id: 392

    Family Tree DNA's Haplogroup Projects provide a place for individuals with the same haplogroup to connect with one another and study their common origins through historic, pre-historic, and anthropological migrations. You will not see these projects listed on our public site, only in your myFTDNA account, because you must already have results in order to join this type of project. To check to see if there is a project for your haplogroup:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Click on Join in the Projects menu on the myFTDNA Menu bar.
    3. Look in the Y-DNA HAPLOGROUP PROJECTS or mtDNA HAPLOGROUP PROJECTS table for an applicable project.

  6. Why should I participate in a project? faq id: 393

    Projects are designed to help individuals who may have similar ancestry connect with one another. You should consider participating in a project if:

    • You are looking for relevant matches.
    • You are interested in comparing against others.
    • You are open to sharing information and working together.

    Note: Members may join or leave a project at any time; however, it is important to note that while Family Tree DNA does not impose a limit in the number of projects one can join, we will not tolerate joining multiple projects with the purpose of data mining or finding information that is not relevant to one's personal ancestral origins. Family Tree DNA reserves the right to remove people from projects at its sole discretion or if it feels that a participant is abusing the system in a way that it may infringe another participant's privacy.

  7. How can I participate in a project? faq id: 394

    If you have not tested before, select the project you wish to join, either through the Search a DNA Project box or by browsing through the list of projects on the Projects page. Then click on the title of the project in which you are interested. You will see information on the project. Below that you will either be able to fill out an order form or a Join Request.

    If you have already tested at Family Tree DNA and want to join a project, you may do so on the Projects - Join page of your myFTDNA account.

    See also: What is the Projects - Join page?

  8. How does project participation affect my privacy? faq id: 395

    Joining a project does expose some identifying information about you to the project volunteer administrator. It may also expose non-identifying information about you through the project's Public Project Website (should it have one).

    The project volunteer administrator can see your results and some of the information listed in your myFTDNA account such as your contact information. The project volunteer administrator will not be able to see your password.

    Projects often set up a website on which member results are posted. How these results are identified is up to the project volunteer administrator. Results are often listed by the participant's oldest known ancestor, kit number, or last name. You may wish to discuss what information will be available on the project's website before joining a project.

  9. Will participating in a project limit my matches? Will I still be able to match against the entire database? faq id: 396

    Project participation will not automatically limit your ability to discover matches in the entire Family Tree DNA database. However, there are two ways that taking part in a group project (or not) may impact Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) matches.

    First, if you have taken a Y-DNA test then each 11/12 (a genetic distance of 1 at 12 STR markers) match will only be shown if you and the match both belong to the same group project.*

    Second, if you choose to join a project you will be able to choose between comparing just against your project or comparing against the entire database. You can change this at will from the My Account - Match and E-mail Settings portion of your myFTDNA account. If you choose to restrict matching to your group projects, your contact information will only be shown to matches who are in group projects to which you belong. Likewise, if one of your matches has chosen to restrict matching to a group project, then they will only be shown on the match lists for those in their group projects.

    * To best serve our customers who are adopted, we provide at the Y-DNA12 level both 11/12 and 12/12 matching to the entire Family Tree DNA database to those in the Adoptee Project. This is because they cannot know the best Surname project to join in advance of testing.

  10. How many projects can I join? faq id: 398

    We do not restrict the number of projects a customer can join, however, it is important to note that while Family Tree DNA does not impose a limit to the number of projects one can join, we will not tolerate customers joining multiple projects with the purpose of data mining or finding information that is not relevant to one's personal ancestral origins. Family Tree DNA reserves the right to remove people from projects at its sole discretion or if it feels that a participant is abusing the system in a way that may infringe another participant's privacy.

  11. Who are the Group Administrators of projects? faq id: 399

    The Family Tree DNA group administrators are unpaid volunteers who have an interest in the history and genealogy of a particular haplogroup, lineage, geographic region, or surname. They have access to tools to help you compare your results to the rest of your group and can also help coordinate communication between members.

    To find out who your group administrator is, first look to see whether there is a View the Group page link in your myFTDNA account. If so, follow this link. If not, you can look up your project on the Projects page and visit the project website or click Contact the Group Administrator link on the Project Description page.

  12. What is the cost to join or test in a project? faq id: 400

    There is no cost to join a project. In fact, there is a group rate that you qualify for when you order a Y-DNA test through a project.

    To order a test through a group project, you can browse or search our Project page. If you have already tested and want to join a project you can do so from myFTDNA account. Click on the Join Project link and browse or search available groups. Once you select a group make sure you click the Join button below it to confirm.

  13. I’ve already tested. How do I join or remove myself from a project? faq id: 401

    Once your results are posted online, you will be able to join or remove yourself from group projects at will using your myFTDNA account.

    To join a project:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Click on Join on the Projects menu on the myFTDNA Menu bar.
    3. Use the project index and search projects options to find projects that interest you.
    4. When you find a project in which to participate, click on the Join button.

    To leave a project:

    1. Login to your myFTDNA account. (https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx)
    2. Click on Manage on the Projects menu on the myFTDNA Menu bar.
    3. Click on the Leave Project link next to the project you wish to remove yourself from.
    4. Fill out the form to explain why you are leaving. This will be read by the project's group administrator.

  14. What happens to my results if I decide to leave a project? faq id: 402

    Your results are not affected by project participation or by the decision not to participate in a project.

  15. What if my surname or region is not listed? faq id: 403

    As people moved from place to place, surnames evolved into different spellings. When searching for a DNA project to join, look to see if one of the various spellings of your surname is listed. Geographic Projects may also be listed in a variety of ways. For example, some are listed by country, some are listed by region, and some are listed by county. If you do not see the project for you, we encourage you to start your own Surname or Geographic Project.

  16. Why am I being asked to fill out a Join Request? faq id: 404

    The administrator has chosen to require approval for participation in the group project. You need to include your name, e-mail address, and why you are interested in joining the group.

    The group project administrator will respond to your request within 48 hours. Should you not hear from them within that time frame, please contact our customer service using our feedback form. They will help you place your order at the project rate.

  17. I know that the group administrator for a project has violated the GAP Guidelines. Who do I tell? faq id: 1361

    If you discover that a group administrator or co-administrator has violated the GAP Guidelines or acted in an unethical way, please contact us as soon as possible. Please explain what happened, who is involved, and how you came to know about the situation. At Family Tree DNA, we take ethical conduct seriously. Your concerns will be addressed.

  18. What are projects' Group General Funds? faq id: 1661

    Group general funds are a way for members of projects and others interested in the project to donate money to the project. Group Project Administrators may use money donated to a Group General Fund to order new DNA test kits or to order upgrades to existing project member's tests.

    Donations to a Group general fund are used at the discrimination of project administrators. Therefore, if you have a specific request for the use of a donation, you should discuss them with the project's administrators before you donate.

  19. How do I contribute to a group project's general fund? faq id: 1682

    Anyone may contribute to a group project's general fund. To do so:

    1. Go to the General Fund Donation page. (http://www.familytreedna.com/group-general-fund-contribution.aspx)
    2. In the first menu, select the first letter of the project's name.
    3. In the second menu, select the name of the project.
    4. In the Donation Amount: field, enter the amount you wish to donate.
    5. Fill out the Donation Type:, Donor Name:, and Note: fields.
    6. Click the PayPal button and complete their form.

    Note: The general fund money is used at the Group Administrator's discretion. Before you contribute to a general fund, it is a good idea to contact the project administrator to let them know how you would like funds to be spent.