Can I buy a Y-dna kit from FTDNA to give to a male relative?

Question

How do I go about purchasing a Y-DNA kit from FT-DNA, giving it to a male relative to test, then sending it in myself and getting the info to add to Wikitree and using for genealogical research?  I am going to try to drop in on an uncle I haven't seen in 30 years and see if he would be willing to do the test and let me send it in (don't trust him to do it and send it in).  If that doesn't work, I am in contact with a newly found second cousin who may be willing to do the test. I would have to mail it to him in Louisiana and have him send it in or back to me to send it in.  I want the information to come to me so I can add it to their Wikitree profiles, and also use it in a research project I have contracted with Ancestry's progenealogist group to pursue for me regarding our grandfather/great grandfather.  How best can I handle this?

Answer 1

Yes. You can give it to him, have him do the test then mail it back, or give it back to you...whatever.

Three things:

1) Be sure he signs the release or it will be useless.

2) Put his name on the kit, not yours. You can put two email addresses on the account so you can both get the emails from ftdna, or if he is not interested, just put yours.

3) Be sure to have a discussion with him concerning "Beneficiary"  and what you can do in the event that he dies, ie. add more markers, or snps. A simple email granting permission should be adequate. Also, get permission to share on wikitree.

Hope this helps,

Dawn

Comments

Thanks, Dawn. Exactly the information I needed.

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... and if he says it's ok for you to be "Beneficiary" be sure to put your name in that section of the profile.

Glad I could help.

Dawn

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Thanks again, Dawn.

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Be sure to also join the FTDNA surname project for the person tested:

• www.familytreedna.com/groups/martin = Martin (690 members currently!)
• www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/a/atkinson = Atkinson (133 members)

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Just like to add one comment: be sure your tester is willing and agreeable to be tested.  I tried this with two senior (very seniors) who agreed but when they got the kit they threw them out (I paid for them) . . . didn't know what to do and family members told them not to do it.  Of course, I spoke with them on the phone 3000mi away . . . so I was no help. 

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Very good point Barbara! It is best to get an ally of a (slightly or moderately) younger generation if you plan to test very senior relatives. Doesn't necessarily need to be a family member, a very good common friend will do.

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Barbara, I am willing to bet that FTDNA would replace those kits and you could then use them on someone else if the intended family member is still unwilling. Just call them and ask.

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Hi John and Dawn, Thanks for answering . . .unfortunately these "very senior" seniors did not stay with us long enough to even do that.  :(.  Live and learn. However, FTDNA DID refund one of them, you are right, John.  Barb

Answer 2

Hello, what you can do too is just buy a Family Finder kit for $80 and once you get the sample and mail it in you can log in and buy/add more tests like the Y DNA test or the mtDNA test.  This way you can be sure you have the sample you want before you spend all your money on it.  Good luck!

Comments

That is how I do it as well Eric.  Whenever they have a sale I purchase several Family Finder kits in my name.  When I decide who has agreed to use them, I either take or mail them to the person to complete the test.

FTDNA assigns the name to the kit when it is received by the lab, using the name and signature that was submitted on the green card.