Great move Chris Whitten to add DNA Sector and now comments by Professional Genealogists please?

Question

Would appreciate comments as to DNA project , Wikitree, from project administrators from FTdna, 23and me, Ancestry.com.

Y Chromosome studies and tests require learning an entire new terminology  and understanding of that science and it is difficult for a novice  to understand what they are getting (results) for what they have paid for.

To gain better understanding and more positive results be prepared to spend more money, but is that not factual as to all sources that researchers attempt to glean genealogical information.

Could the sources not be satisfied to utilise their advertisements as sole income source, as there is not a single site that does not advertise.

WikiTree is truly an exception. Good work Chris Whitten.

Thank you,

Richard Bittle

Comments

Thank you, Richard. I appreciate the kind words.

Answer 1

Agreed on the Congrats to Chris. His developments have answered a huge need in the DNA research community.  Finally we have a means to connect to ancestors across different DNA tests and DNA tesing companies.  Just awesome.

Richard, I want to clarify a statement in your text, so that it isn't misunderstood.  More "positive results" doesn't necessarily come with more money spent.  That is because the more markers you purchase for a DNA test, the narrower your results will be.  More markers means fewer, but more accurate matches.  So more money can mean fewer, but more accurate matches, too.

I like to encourage folks to purchase a 37 marker yDNA test and if they want to spend more money, purchase a FamilyFinder or auDNA test.  I think this combination gives a nice broad spectrum of possible genetic cousin matches.  From there, it is back to the records and books to find the common DNA ancestor with your matches.  DNA testing focuses our traditional research to particular surname family lines.