Heritage Album

Comparing DNA results? Any where I can go?

I have done a 25 marker test on family Tree DNA but was assuming there is some sort of central site as people get tests done all over. Would like to compare mine t o others out there to see who I related to. Thanks for any info.

Public Comments

1. FTDNA sends me a report of 12, 25 and 37-point matches every couple of weeks. There is a PACK foundation that encourages male Packs to go to FT DNA. Did you tell them you wanted to be compared to others with your surname?
2. Those who read a lot of questions/answers in this category may know that I often don't speak to favorably about ancestral DNA testing. But I would like to take this opportunity to actually state something positive - especially to this question as the asker has already had (and paid for) the genetic test. It is all probablility and clues. Based on paternal testing, it certainly is more likely that someone with your same surname has a higher probability of being related to you as someone with another surname (all things being equal). So using a surname site (given the fee is reasonable to you) makes sense if you already have the test. Then if someone from that group matches in some number of markers, well, even greater probability that that person might be related to you. Certain - absolutely not. But it's a darn good clue. Contacting that person and working things out to see if there really is a relationship would definitely be something worth pursuing. But cost and probably of results aside, you also have to be aware of what you are doing....you are submitting YOUR DNA with YOUR name and contact information (how else will you ever get reports of matches). It's like the ever secure Facebook - once it's out there it's out there. There was an article in our newpaper about 6 months ago describing this woman who knew the father of her now 12 year old son's name. Sadly, this father disappeared while she was pregnant (they weren't married). The mother submitted her son's DNA to a few "surname" sites for the father's surname and got a number of "strong matches". As it turns out, one of those strong matches ended up being the father. While probably an exceptionally unique story, it certainly wasn't what the father was expecting when he submitted his DNA. What future uses will be found? Who knows, maybe none. But a lot of people assumed Facebook entries would never reach their parents, or employers or their school. Just realize what you are doing and make sure it's what you really want to do.