Y - CHROMOSOME DNA SEARCHABLE DATABASES


1)  Y-DNA MATCHES - Family Tree DNA (
www.familytreedna.com)

Comment:  Here, if you were tested via FTDNA, on your assigned webpage (accessed via your kit number and password) showing all your results, you can click on the orange coloured "matches" tab at the left and see if there are any 12/12 matches to your Y signature.  The numbers can range from zero (my uncle) to 70 or more depending on how common your signature (haplotype) is.  They will also list your "high resolution" matches of 25 / 25 down to 23 / 25.  If you have taken the 37 marker varsion, then your 33 / 37 and greater matches will be listed (along with names and e-mail addresses).  Generally, unless your haplotype is quite rare I would not bother contacting your 12/12 matches unless they have the same surname or you recognize the surname as one found in Shetland.

2)  RECENT ETHNIC ORIGINS (REO) - Family Tree DNA 

Comment:  Here you will see the number of 12 of 12 matches (and high resolution matches), and other near matches that have been determined using their 23,000 plus samples, plus the data from their affiliate, the University of Arizona.  This will give you a sense of where the majority of your matches or close matches are found based on the geographical origin of the earliest known ancestor in the male line of each participant.  A big plus is that they provide sample sizes so that you can see how many matches you have for a particular location (e.g., Norway) in relation to the size of the sample.  Be wary, however, in that there may be a large number of individuals from a particular area since the results of large surname studies are included here, and may tend to skew the data in unknown ways (lagrely toward matches in the British Isles and Germany).  Still, it is worth taking a close inspection - always seeking consistency and clues of any sort.

3)  HAPLOGROUP - Family Tree DNA.

Comment:  This is the second database directly linked to your page on the Family Tree DNA website and can again be accessed via one of the orange bars on the left of the page.  Its contents include the data available from the University of Arizona, but unfortunately as yet do not include sample sizes.  In my opinion this database is more valuable than the above in that it is not skewed by large surname studies.  In addition, each match or near match to your haplotype (signature or pattern of scores) is assigned a "haplogroup" due to special testing called SNP.  Generally if all or most of your matches or near matches are, for example, R1b - then you can be reasonably certain that you are also in this grouping (based on a rare mutation that occurred thousands of years ago and separates this group from all others).  The Project Administrator will assist you in determining what these values mean.

4)  YSEARCH - Family Tree DNA (
www.ysearch.org)

Comment:  This is a new feature offered by FTDNA and you will see the option on the left side of your personal page.  You just need to follow the simple directions and with seconds your 12, 25, or 37 numbers will appear on the screen, and then your profile is up on this public site where others who have similar scores, although tested by this or a different DNA testing company, can search for matches.  They are introducing new features all the time, the most recent being the opportunity to upload a gedcom of you genealogical research so that others can see if there is an ancestor in common somewhere along the way.

5)  Y - BASE (
www.ybase.org)

Comment:  This searchable database, offered by DNAHeritage,  is composed of the contributions of over  individuals who have been tested by Family Tree DNA or other company and includes up to 32 scores.  If you go to this site, it is always good to first search by "surname" to see if yours is there.  If your are looking for a "signature" match, then you have to input your numbers (as many as you wish) and see who matches you.  I would advise all participants to take the time to add their 12 or 25 scores plus genealogical information to this site since it has the potential of being, over time, very helpful to those seeking genetic cousins - precisely the same as the YSEARCH.

5)  Y-STR FORENSIC USERS EUROPEAN DATABASE (
www.yhrd.org/index.html)

Comment:  This very popular database has its purpose in the scheme of things, but is really only of significance when the haplotype (signature of the participant) is somewhat rare.  Since they only use 9 markers, it is likely that participants may get "hits" from as far away as Portugal - but this is typical especially with R1b - the most common haplotype in Europe whose frequency declines from west such as Spain (high) to east such as Russia (low).  Nonetheless, it provides a great deal of information, including a map in colour showing the exact location of your matches, then a table that does the same.  Certainly worth checking out, but must be used with caution.

6)  SORENSON MOLECULAR GENEALOGY FOUNDATION (
http://smgf.org:8081/pubgen/site28.jsp)

Comment:  This database was released in February 2004.  It contains 5,519 haplotypes and 4,177 paternal line surnames - each with pedigree information (a unique feature of the site).  72 countries / regions are represented in the database.  It is a bit tricky to search, but once you get used to it, it contains a potential wealth of material for participants of the Shetland Project.  Be careful in inputting your numbers.  Be sure to read all the caveats (e.g, two marker values must be changed from what you received in the report from FTDNA).  Also, when you search, remember to change any of the values that you did not input to "other" before pressing "submit".  Again, great resource, but a bit tricky to use.