Totten DNA Project- Background

Background

THE TOTTEN DNA PROJECT was established in late 2011 at Family Tree DNA, the first and largest genealogical testing company. The testing process is simple, painless, affordable, and completely confidential. When you join the Totten DNA Project and order a test kit, it will be mailed to you by Family Tree DNA. You will take two simple cheek swabs, which are placed in small vials and mailed back to the testing company. Your Y-chromosome DNA will be compared with the Y-DNA of over 220,000 men (including seven Tottens) in the Family Tree DNA database. Exact and close matches will be reported to you, along with the probability that you and those exact and close matches share a common ancestor and how many generations ago. For complete confidentiality, you will only be identified by your test kit number and the name of your earliest known ancestor.

Additionally, Family Tree DNA will predict your Haplogroup,* which defines the route followed by your ancient ancestors as they migrated tens of thousands of years ago. Family Tree DNA offers a DISCOUNT to individuals who join our Project and order their kit at the same time. The Project Administrator recommends a minimum of 37 markers to firmly establish kinship and distinguish between family lines. If your budget allows, the 67 marker test is better for distinguishing your Totten line from others who have also completed the 67 marker test. Only males carry the Y-chromosome, so females wishing to confirm their Totten lineage must have a brother, father or other male Totten surnamed relative participate on their behalf.

The Totten DNA Project maintains a GENERAL FUND, which currently has a zero balance. Donations to the General Fund are welcome and will be used to offset a portion of the cost of test kits at the discretion of the Project Administrator. Email the Project Administrator to make needs-based requests. To make donations using PayPal or credit card, click on the link at the bottom of this page.

The Project Administrator has been a family genealogist since 1967 and he is a 6th great grandson of Thomas-2 Skillman, whose 2nd great granddaughter, Mary, married Laffert Totten in 1806 in Belle Meade, NJ. He is not paid by, not an employee of, and not affiliated with Family Tree DNA. He is a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy, the National Genealogical Society, and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.

*Please note that words and phrases in orange are hyperlinks and, when clicked on, will take you to an explanatory website. Click your back arrow to return to this site.
© 2012 http://www.familytreedna.com/public/tottendnaproject. All rights reserved. LAST UPDATE: 14 February 2012