FAQ
Information for members
Y DNA Tests
The Big Y 700 test is preferred for male project members. This allows private variants to be matched, recognized and named as SNPs, and new branches to be added to the Y haplotree.
STR tests provide matches and a predicted high-level Haplogroup. You may find matches with other Holbrooks. You will see a predicted haplogroup at a very high level on the haplotree. For our T Haplogroup members the prediction is usually T-M70, with MCRA estimated to have been born about 14,000 BCE (Before Current Era) and formed about 18,000 years ago.
Family Finder Test
Autosomal DNA tests are recommended for both female and male Holbrook surname members and for other members researching their Holbrook ancestry. The Chromosome Browsing tool shows chromosome segments shared between matches and can help confirm connections and discover new ones between 4th to 6th cousins. Triangulation tools can demonstrate that groups of matches share a common ancestor, helping focus genealogical research and confirm genealogical connections.
Uploading DNA Tests
Many people have autosomal DNA tests with other providers. Test data can be downloaded from those providers and uploaded to FTDNA for free. Advanced analytical tools offered with the Family Finder test can then be enabled for a small fee. Male members would still need to have a test kit with FTDNA for Y DNA tests.
Family Trees
Please add at least a small amount of ancestry information to your account. Adding your known ancestry helps members connect and helps administrators search for DNA testers for your family line. Family trees originally entered on FTDNA have been frozen and users are directed by FTDNA to transfer their trees to My Heritage., which can be done free of charge. FTDNA has established partnerships with My Heritage (http://myheritage.com) and WikiTree (http://wikitree.com). Users can add their WikiTree profile id as an alternative. Your FTDNA account Family Tree tab will link to your choice of external tree.
1. Log in and click on your name on the upper right
2. Go to "Account Settings"
3. Select the “Genealogy” tab
4. Select the “Family Tree” tab
5. Follow instructions to link your tree. (This capability is still uner construction as of July 2025.)
4. Then select the "Project Preferences" tab
5. Select the pencil icon next to the Holbrook project
6. Select "Allow MyHeritage" and set to Yes
7. Set access for future administrators to Limited
8. Select “Accept Project Preferences” and “Confirm”
Earliest Known Ancestor (EKA) Information
Please add earliest known ancestor information. It is displayed on the Y-DNA Results page of the project web site to help members find potential connections.
1. Log in and click on your name on the upper right
2. Go to "Account Settings"
3. Click on the “Genealogy” tab
4. Click on the “Earliest Known Ancestor” tab
5. Fill in the name of your most distantly verified paternal an maternal ancestors with birth/death and country of origin.
6. Scroll to the bottom and select "Save"
Recommended Account settings
Project Preferences
Please set your project preference access level to "Limited" (the default level) or "Advanced."
Do not set the level to "Minimum."
1. Log in and click on your name on the upper right
2. Select "Account Settings"
3. Then select the "Project Preferences" tab
4. Select the pencil icon next to the Holbrook project
5. Scroll down, and under "Access" select Limited or Advanced for administrators
6. Select "Allow MyHeritage" and set to Yes
7. Set access for future administrators to Limited
8. Select “Accept Project Preferences” and “Confirm”
9. Scroll down to Group Project Profile and toggle on “Opt in to Sharing”
Matching
Please make sure you've opted in to matching!
1. From the "Account Settings" page select the “Privacy & Sharing” tab
4. Under Matching Preferences, toggle on “Opt in to Matching”
5. Scroll down to Match Levels and select “All Levels” for all tests.
Beneficiary
Please complete this section so your account isn't frozen in the future. Or you can can assign the project administrator as beneficiary, a useful option if you don’t have family members with an interest I genealogy. There may be additional tests or new resources that may benefit the project study in the future.
1. Log in and click on your name on the upper right
2. Go to "Account Settings."
3. Select “Account Information.”
4. Select the “Beneficiary Information” tab and enter the name, phone number, and email of the person you’d like to manage your account in the future, or select “Group Project Administrators” to allow project administrators to assume management of your account.
5. Scroll to the bottom and hit "Save"
Kit Manager
If you wish someone else to manage your account, you can assign a kit manager.
1. From the “Account Settings” select “Kit Manager”.
2. Fill in the kit manager’s name and contact information.
3. Select “Save” at the bottom of the page.