FAQ
Questions
- Which Test Results are Allowed into this Project, and how do I take the DNA test?
- How Do I Join this Project and Project Settings to Change to Allow for Project Participation.
- Which DNA companies qualify for Transfer into Family Tree DNA?
- How Do I Transfer my Autosomal DNA test results from: (Ancestry.com and 23andMe V3 or National Genographic 2.0) to Family Tree DNA?
- How can I use the Family Finder (Autosomal) test for my Surname or paternal lineage group project?
- What happens if you have documented your tree and are sure you have a connection to another tree, yet the DNA samples don’t match?
- Do project administrators receive pay or other compensation for their work or for selling DNA kits through the project?
- Bulk emails - why do I receive bulk emails from this project. If I do not want emails to be sent to me, how do I unsubscribe?
Answers
1. Which Test Results are Allowed into this Project?
YDNA, mtDNA and Family Finder (and allowed Autosomal Transfers) test Kits are allowed into the Project.
Participants joining the project are sent a lab kit in the mail. The kit includes a “Q” tip or toothbrush type of instrument that one rubs along the inside of one’s cheek with for 30 to 60 seconds. Then the swab is placed in an envelope and mailed to the lab. That’s all it takes. Within 6 to 8 weeks, results are available for the sample submitted.
2. How Do I Join this Project?
You must have DNA downloaded into Family Tree DNA to be a member of this group.
From your personal Family Tree DNA page:
Go to the Projects tab at the top left; Click on “Join a project”
The page, “Projects – Join” opens.
In the “Surname Projects”, click on the letter “M” and all projects that begin with M will open.
Scroll down to the “McAtee DNA Project”, and click on that link.
~ OR ~
In the “Search by Surname” box, type in “McAtee”
This search will also give you options of some other projects that may include McAtee surnames.
Then on the next page, read the instructions.
I suggest that you prepare the information requested by writing it out into a Word document, so that you can copy and paste it into the box provided.
Click on the Join request button.
Project Settings to Change to Allow for Project Participation – Step by Step Instructions
Step1
Sign on to youraccount at Family Tree DNA andselect the orange “Manage Personal Information,” right under yourProfile photo, or the location reserved for the photo.
Thenclick on the Project Preferences tab:
TheProject Preferences tab is where you grant project administrator rights.
Click on the Edit function which shows you thecurrent level for each administrator in a specific project, allowing you toselect a new level. For new members joining after August 2018, you also have anoption to pre-select a new level for all new future administrators of thisproject. Below is a chart describing Administrator Access levels.
I strongly recommend thatyou pre-select (at least) the Limited Access level.
Then, click on Accept whichshows you a summary of your new selections.
Confirm andyou’re all set.
You’ll need to repeat this step tocheck administrator rights for all projects that you have joined.
Step2
Next, click on the Privacyand Sharing tab to opt in to Project Sharing. The Privacy andSharing tab allows your results to be shown in the public project.
You MUST OPT IN toproject sharing, or your results won’t be included in the public projectdisplay.
You only have to dothis one time, but if you don’t – your results will NOT BE INCLUDED inany public projects.
Most people don’trealize that the default is to NOT SHOW in aproject, believing that if they join a project, their results willautomatically be anonymously displayed in the public portion of theproject. You must opt-in, so be sure that little box at the right side of theGroup Project Profile is checked.
Why is that important?
Public project displaysencourage people to participate in DNA testing and join projects, especially Yand mitochondrial. If they see several lines tested, they are much more likelyto purchase a test to see if they match a line they think might be theirs.Projects serve as advertising which helps all genealogists.
So please, opt in!
Allof the information above regarding privacy settings is included in thearticle, Family Tree DNA Group Project Privacy Levels byRoberta Estes https://dna-explained.com/2018/08/09/family-tree-dna-group-project-privacy-levels/
You may notice that the information is not in the exact orderthat is given in the article, and there are some very minor edits.
That is because I wanted to provide simplified setting changeinstructions for your convenience in completing the project access settingupdates required to participate in our McAtee DNA Project. I recommend that youread the complete article which includes a brief discussion on why thesechanges are necessary, and other details.
3. Which DNA Companies Qualify for the Transfer into Family Tree DNA?
https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/imports/transfer-autosomal-ancestry/results-qualify-ff-transfer/
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At this time, AncestryDNA test (version 1: used until about May 2016 - but not the current version: call Ancestry if you are uncertain) and 23andMe’s V3 Chip (tests results prior to January 2014) qualify for transfer into the Family Tree DNA's Family Finder* kit.
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National Genographic 2.0 test qualifies for free transfer.
Autosomal DNA results from any company that uses the Illumina Omni Express chip qualify for the Family Finder Transfer program.
- *The free transfer to a Family Finder kit will allow upload four other sets of data to unlock for free*. Alternatively you will be able to unlock this data to see all of your matches for a $39 fee*.
Because their test uses a different data set, we cannot accept results from deCodeMe, 23andMe’s V2chip, or 23andMe’s V4 chip.
4. How do I transfer my Autosomal DNA test results from: (Ancestry.com and 23andMe V3 or National Genographic 2.0 ) to Family Tree DNA?
Begin by visiting https://www.familytreedna.com/landing/atdna-landing.asp
I have not tested with Family Tree DNA before. How do I take part in the Family Tree DNA Family Finder Transfer program?
If you are the owner or primary kit manager of third party (such as Ancestry.com or 23andMe) results, you may transfer them by following these steps.
- Copy and Paste this link to your browse to go to the Autosomal DNA Transfer page:
- If you already have an existing FTDNA account, click Already have a Family Tree DNA account?, otherwise enter your contact information and click Try it Free!
Note: If the data is for a different individual than your existing kit, you will need to create a new kit. Each kit is specific to each individual. - Click Upload Raw Data
- Select the file you wish to upload from your computer. You can upload .txt and .zip file formats.
- You will automatically be taken to your main account page.
- This free transfer will allow you to see a sample of twenty matches. To see these matches, click on Matches
- To contact these matches, and to see your complete match list and ethnic breakdown, click on Unlock for Free
- You can copy/paste the link provided to upload four other sets of data. Alternatively you will be able to unlock this data to see all of your matches for a $39 fee*.
How do I download my autosomal DNA results from Ancestry DNA?
https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/imports/transfer-autosomal-ancestry/download-results-ancestry/
You may download your autosomal DNA results from Ancestry DNA (ancestry.com) by following these steps:
1. Sign in to your Ancestry DNA Account.
2. On the top menu bar, select Your DNA Home page from the DNA menu.
3. Find the Manage Test Settings link,and click it.
4. On the right, find the Download Your Raw DNA Data section.
5. Click the Get Started button.
6. On the pop-up window, re-enter your Ancestry.com password.
7. Click the Confirm button.
8. You will be sent an email message from Ancestry.com when your download file is ready.
9. Use the link in the Ancestry.com email to download your results.
10. On the download page, click the orange Confirm Data Download button.
How do I download my autosomal DNA results from the 23andMe V3 test?
NOTE: FTDNA is currently NOT accepting 23andMe transfers IF your results were posted after December, 2013.
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Everyone should be aware that FTDNA iscurrently NOT accepting 23andMe transfers IF your results wereposted after December, 2013.
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This is because 23andMe started using a new V4chip in early December and it is not yet compatible with FTDNA. If your resultswere posted prior to December, 2013 they were probably under the old V3 chip andyes, they would be transferable.
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There is still no time frame as to when the V4 chip data from 23andMe willbe accepted.
You may download your 23andMe results by following these steps:
1. Login to your 23andMe Account. (https://www.23andme.com/user/signin/)
2. On the top menu bar, look for your name.
3. Click on your name to open the account menu.
4. Select Browse Raw Data.
5. Find the Download link on the top right.
6. Scroll down, and enter your password and your secret question answer.
7. Be sure that your profile is selected, and click the Download Data button.
8. Your download should begin. Please note where the file is saved on your computer.
National Geographic Genographic ProjectTransfers
Transfer your National Geographic Genographic Project results to Family Tree DNA for FREE to find your relatives and get additional insight on your ancestral origins.
https://www.familytreedna.com/landing/nat-geo-transfer.aspx#/verify
Additional information on DNA transfers to FTDNA: https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/?s=Are+autosomal+results+transferred+from+the+National+Geographic+Project%3F
5. How can I use the Family Finder test for my Surname or paternal lineage group project?
The Family Finder (Autosomal) test has many uses within a surname or paternal lineage project. It helps to,
- Bring into your project men and women who are related but lack a male cousin with the corresponding Y-Chromosome DNA to test.
- Determine if exact and one-off matches are recent or from eight to fifteen generations back.
- Sort out the relationships for close or perfect Y-Chromosome matches with other surnames.
6. What happens if you have documented your tree and are sure you have a connection to another tree, yet the DNA samples don’t match?
It could be that in some past generation,the father was not who the child thought it was.
For instance, it was not uncommon for orphans to be adopted (legally or just family members raising other family members’s children) and never be told. This is where the public databases in FTDNA become very useful. Your test results can be matched to all results that people have allowed to be public in those databases. If you find a match, you then MAY know the surname tree of your elusive ancestor. This is why it is so important that people make their data public.
Dr. Tyrone Bowes, PHD, explains why so many tests don't match the surname expected or match many tests of differing surnames in his article "Using Y Chromosome DNA Testing to Pinpoint a Genetic Homeland in Ireland":
A son typically inherits two things from his father, his surname and his Y chromosome. The surname has changed considerably since his ancestor first adopted it, in Ireland it has been anglicized from its original Gaelic to English, often losing its Mac, or O’ in the process. Even its spelling in English has evolved over the centuries from,for example, O’Bouey, to Boe, and Bowe to its current form Bowes. The surname has often changed so much so that its original meaning in Gaelic can only be guessed at. However, in the estimated thousand years since an ancestor took his surname, the Y chromosome inherited from him remains virtually identical. This is assuming of course that he has inherited his Y chromosome, given that on average only 50% of individuals sharing a unique surname will have inherited the original Y chromosome of the founding ancestor. Where the Surname does not match the Y chromosome it is the result of what scientists refer to as a ‘non-paternal event,’ which encompasses such events as adoption, infidelity,and illegitimacy, often resulting in the maternal transmission of a surname. Only analysis of the Y chromosome will reveal whether maternal transmission has occurred.
7. Do project administrators receive pay or other compensation for their work or for selling DNA kits through the project?
All of the administrators of the McAtee DNA Project are unpaid volunteers with jobs and life responsibilities of their own.
We tryto answer questions as soon as we are able. If your question has not beenanswered, please email one of our administrators at the email provided on thewebsite page.
Wedon't get any money or other favors for administering projects or selling DNAtests.
8. Bulk emails - why do I receive bulk emails from this project. If I do not want emails to be sent to me, how do I unsubscribe?
When we send out a bulk email to project members, which may included about a new SNP test or some other type of DNA test, we do so simply because we think the members ought to know about it. If you decide you do not want to receive such emails, follow the instructions below.
:
1. Goto your myFTDNA pages.
2.Click on "My Account" at the top left and then on"Personal Profile".
3.Click on "Account Settings".
4.Click on "Match and Email Settings".
5. Find"Project E-mail Settings" on the right.
6.Click on the "No" button beneath "Subscribe to 'bulk' e-mails sent by my project administrators".