19 April 2011

Family Tree DNA takes over DNAHeritage

DNAHeritage is GONE!


The following message from this URL just crossed my desk and is directly quoted below:

http://www.dnaheritage.com/default.asp


As of April 19 2011, DNA Heritage has ceased its operations and is in the process of transferring the domains DNAHeritage.com and Ybase.org to Family Tree DNA.

All the tests in progress will be processed by our current lab and the results will be delivered to our customers.

In order to ensure the continuity of the existing surname projects Family Tree DNA will study the best options to integrate our customers' results into their database.

Once Family Tree DNA decides on the option(s), our customers will be given the opportunity to opt-in to their database.



If you have questions about the transition or

need to place an order please check:

http://www.familytreedna.com/landing/dna-heritage.aspx

13 April 2011

Family Tree DNA 36-Hour Sale for DNA Day

National DNA Day, April 15, 2011 commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the Double Helix in 1953 by Watson and Crick.

In honor of DNA Day, April 15th, Family Tree DNA just announced on Facebook their latest sale!


This is only posted on Facebook and you need the code to get the sale prices:

Coupon Code: DNADAY2011
Share: Public Event


Starting noon today this sale will last only 36 hours, so order now!


The following tests and prices are currently available:


Y-DNA12 marker Test for $59 (Reg. $99 via a project*)

mtDNA (HVR1) $59

Y-DNA37 marker Test for $129 (Reg. $149 via a project*; $169 without a project)

Family Finder Test for $199 (Reg. $289)

Family Finder Test plus a Y-DNA 12 marker for $258 (Reg. $299)

Family Finder Test plus mtDNA for $258

Family Finder plus mtFull Sequence plus Y-DNA 67 for $657

*If there is no project for your surname, put GFO in the search box and join there for a project price. I am the administrator and can continue to help you. You may join any relevant project later without further cost. Click on the FTDNA icon on this page (lower right) to order or go to the Family Tree DNA website.

For those new to DNA testing for genealogy, check this blog's archives for more details.

For this sale, I would highly recommend both the Y-DNA37 marker test and the Family Finder Test. These are two of my favorite tests.

The Y-DNA37 Test gives you matches along the top line of a pedigree chart, essentially, the all male line. Only males can take this test so women have to find a male for the surname they wish to test. As the Y-chromosome is passed from father to son virtually unchanged since mankind began, you can find matches going back many, many generations in your genealogy. A 37-marker test gives you matches within a genealogical time frame.

The Family Finder Test gives you a lot for your money. Both males and females can take this autosomal test and match each other. This test provides matches anywhere on your pedigree chart for six generations. You may think you know all your living cousins, but this test will give you more! Join together to continue researching your lineage.

The beauty of Family Tree DNA, besides their excellent customer service and being the oldest company and largest database for genealogy, is that when you test you get your own personal webpages and your test results is compared against the entire database. This means that every week when new results arrive, you have the opportunity to find more genealogical cousins. You receive their name and their email so you can write quickly and begin comparing information to find your common ancestor.

If you are a Facebook member, join the Family Tree DNA Group.

I also urge you to join the International Society of Genetic Genealogists. Check their website for DNA Success Stories, Famous DNA, and explore the ISOGG Wiki to find answers to many of your questions. You can also join the Newbie Email list and ask any question there (no question is too basic) and receive replies from experienced project administrators. If you manage a DNA project, join the Admin Email List.

Order your test today. I'm anxious to see if we are cousins!
Emily
15 Apr 2011

05 April 2011

Family Tree DNA Y-DNA 111 Markers

Greetings!

This announcement just arrived from Family Tree DNA

Dear Group Administrator,

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Y-DNA111 test! This test includes a panel of 111 Y chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers.* With 44 additional markers, Y-DNA111 is the highest resolution Y-DNA test offered by any company in the world.

The Y-DNA111 test is recommended for customers who already have close matches at the 67 marker level and are looking to tighten the calculation for the time to Most Recent Common Ancestor (tMRCA). ** Due to the specialized nature of this test and in order to evaluate the potential benefit of this type of upgrade, we ask that customers with Y-DNA12, 25, or 37 results upgrade to 67 markers first before considering the 111 marker test.

With that in mind, this new test is now available as an upgrade for customers with existing Y-DNA67 results and also as a standalone test for individuals looking to prove a close relationship on the direct paternal line:

Y Refine 67 to 111 (Upgrade) $101
Y-DNA111 $339

View our FAQ section to learn more about this new test.

Thank you,
Family Tree DNA

*This figure is based on the typical number of allele values we see for multi-copy markers. The number of allele values we observe and report for these markers may vary.
**Please note, both test-takers must have the 111 marker test to be compared at this level.