Isernia DNA Project – Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join?
Anyone with ancestral ties to the Province of Isernia in Molise, Italy, or surnames originating from one of its 52 comuni.

What types of DNA are accepted?
We accept Y-DNA, mtDNA, and autosomal test results.

Can I join if I tested with Ancestry, 23andMe, MyHeritage, or Living DNA?
Yes. You can upload your raw data to FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) for free. To access advanced tools and join projects, you’ll need to pay a one-time fee (usually $19, or less during sales).

Do I need documentation to join?
Not required, but helpful for surname mapping, regional research, and verifying ancestral connections.

Why don’t I have Y-DNA matches to my surname?
There are several possible reasons:

• Your surname has multiple geographic origins, and no one from your branch has tested yet
• Your surname evolved from a different root name or spelling
• Your region had late surname adoption (e.g., Southern Italy, Scandinavia)
• A name change, adoption, or extramarital event may have disrupted the biological surname line
• A male ancestor may have inherited a maternal surname due to birth circumstances or family structure

What can I do if I have no Y-DNA surname matches?

• Build your paternal tree “out and down” and recruit male-line cousins to test
• Use autosomal matches to identify potential surname connections and invite them to take a Y-DNA test
• Research surname clusters in ancestral towns and invite descendants to test for comparison

Which Y-DNA test should I choose?

• Y-37 is the minimum recommended test. It provides an entry-level look at paternal lineage and can confirm whether two or more men likely share a common ancestor. It’s a good starting point before upgrading.
• Y-111 refines matches and improves the estimate of Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA). It helps distinguish between closely related surname branches.
• Big Y-700 offers the highest resolution. It identifies the closest matches, provides the most specific haplogroup, distinguishes between different lines of the same surname, and connects recent genealogy with deep ancestry. Results continue to improve over time as more testers are added to the database.
• Note: The more data, the better the results. Some matches may not have tested at the same level. You may need to wait for them to upgrade or encourage them to do so.

Are there installment payment options for Y-DNA testing?
Yes. There are two ways to spread out the cost of Y-DNA testing:

Option 1: Donate through the FTDNA Group Project Fund
You can make periodic donations to the project fund and designate how the donation should be used (e.g., upgrade a specific kit, purchase a new kit for a descendant of a specific person).
To donate:

• Select the correct project
• Enter donation amount
• Choose donation type (can be anonymous)
• Enter donor name
• Use the “Note” field to specify how the donation should be used

Option 2: Use PayPal’s “Buy Now, Pay Later” options
When purchasing through FTDNA, select PayPal at checkout and choose one of their payment plans:

• Pay in 4: One down payment and three bi-weekly payments (no interest) for purchases between $30–$1500
• Pay Monthly: Six to 24 monthly payments (with interest) for purchases over $199

What account settings should I update to support the project and improve my results?
To help us support your research and maximize your DNA matching potential, please update the following settings in your FTDNA Account Settings (hover over your name and kit number at the top right):

General tab

• Enter the tester’s birth year (improves TMRCA estimates)
• Designate a beneficiary for future continuity (you may list this Group Project if no one specific)

Privacy & Sharing tab

• Y-DNA Matching Level: All (if applicable)
• mtDNA Matching Level: All (if applicable)
• Origin Sharing: Opt In
• Project Sharing / Group Project Profile: Opt In

Project Preferences tab

• Set all project administrators to Advanced or Limited Access
• Opt in to Group Project Sharing
• Opt in to Group Project Profile Sharing
• mtDNA Coding Region Sharing: Share (if applicable)

Genealogy tab

• Enter your Earliest Known Ancestors (EKA) for both paternal and maternal lines
• Include full name, birth year, and comune in Isernia Province (e.g., Giovanni Rossi b. 1850 in Forli del Sannio)
• Use “Italy” as Country of Origin and specify the comune if known
• Add Direct Paternal and Maternal Locations if available