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1. How do I start a project? faq id: 386

   Starting a project is very easy to do, and involves no additional cost. We have no project set-up fee and we offer free analysis of the results. As a registered surname project at Family Tree DNA, your project will receive project pricing and a set of tools for the Group Administrator plus automatic matching notifications. Email support at familytreedna.com with questions about starting a group project. Remember, DNA is the Gene in Genealogy!

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

   A Surname Project traces members of a family that share a common surname. Since surnames are passed down from father to son like the Y-chromosome, this test is for males taking Y-DNA tests. Females do not carry their father’s Y-DNA and most acquire their father's surname or a new surname by way of marriage, so the tested individual must be a male that wants to check his direct paternal line (see http://www.familytreedna.com/inheritance-chart.aspx for more information on direct lines) with a Y-DNA12, Y-DNA25, Y-DNA37, or Y-DNA67 marker test. Females who would like to check their direct paternal line can have a male relative with this surname order a Y-DNA test. Females and males can also order an mtDNA test for themselves such as the mtDNA or the mtDNAPlus test and participate in one or more mtDNA project.

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

   A Geographic Project connects individuals who believe their direct line comes from a specific location. We have three different types of Geographic Projects: Y-DNA, mtDNA, and Dual Geographic Projects. Y-DNA Geographic Projects are for males only as only males can take the Y-DNA test. This project is for males who order a Y-DNA test and whose direct paternal line (see http://www.familytreedna.com/inheritance-chart.aspx for more on direct lines) originates in this area. Females whose direct paternal line originates in this area can have a male relative test for this project or they can look into the mtDNA tests and mtDNA projects. The mtDNA Geographic Projects are for individuals who order an mtDNA test and whose direct maternal line originates in this area. Both males and females can participate in these projects with an mtDNA test. The 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.

4. What is an mtDNA Lineage Project? faq id: 391

   An mtDNA Lineage Project connects individuals who believe their direct maternal line (see http://www.familytreedna.com/inheritance-chart.aspx for more on direct lines) comes from a specific female. The mtDNA Lineage Projects are for individuals who order an mtDNA test and whose direct maternal line originates in that female. Both males and females can order the mtDNA test and participate in these projects.

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

   Your Family Tree DNA results include a haplogroup designation. Haplogroup Projects provide a place for individuals with the same haplogroup to connect with one another. One way to think about haplogroups is as major branches on the family tree of Homo Sapiens. These haplogroup branches characterize the early migrations of population groups. Since Y-DNA and mtDNA haplogroups are separate so are Y-DNA Haplogroup Projects and mtDNA Haplogroup Projects. You will not see these projects listed on our public site, only on your personal page, 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 log on with your kit number and password and click on the square blue “join” button near the top of the page. For more information on haplogroups please see http://www.familytreedna.com/understanding-haplogroups.aspx.

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. If you want are looking for relevant matches or are interested in comparing against others and sharing information to learn more by working together then you should consider participating in a Surname, Geographic, or Lineage Project.
7. How can I participate in a project? faq id: 394

   Participation is simple. If you have not tested before, just select the project you wish to join, either through the “Search a DNA Project” box or by browsing through the list of projects at http://www.familytreedna.com/projects.aspx. Then click on the title of the project you are interested in. You will see information on the project and below that you will either be able to fill out an order form or a Join Request. If you have already tested and want to join a project you can click on the "Join Project" link on your Family Tree DNA personal page - there you can browse and search projects to join.

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

   The Group Administrator can see your results and some of the information listed on your personal page such as your contact information. The Group 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 Group Administrator. They are often listed by the participant’s oldest known ancestor, kit number, or last name. Therefore, other than the Group Administrator, nobody else will see your private information.

9. Will participating in a project limit my results? faq id: 396

   Project participation will not limit your results. 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 User Preferences portion of your personal page where your online results are listed.

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

    We do not restrict the number of projects a member can join.

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

    Group Administrators are unpaid volunteers who have an interest in a particular surname, lineage, or region. They have access to tools to help you compare your results against the rest of your group and can also help coordinate between members. To find out who your Group Administrator is, first look to see whether their is a "View the Group page" link on your Family Tree DNA personal page. If so, follow this link. If not, you can look up your project at http://www.familytreedna.com/projects.aspx and visit the project website or click “Contact the Group Administrator.”

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 listings at http://www.familytreedna.com/projects.aspx. If you have already tested and want to join a project you can do so from your Family Tree DNA personal page. 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 from your personal page where your results are displayed. To join a project, click on the "Join Project" link. To remove yourself from a project click on the “X” symbol to the right of the name of the project you wish to leave.

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. Don't overlook the fact that your surname may have a variant spelling. 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 approve participation to the group before you can join this project. All you need to do is include your name, email address, and why you are interested in joining the group. For example, you may wish to join a group because your direct paternal line is from that particular region and you know your ancestry back six generations, but would like to know more.