Benefit of BIG Y Test in Determining Ancestral Relationships

[Peter MacDonald]

Hello,

I have a large number of matches at Y- DNA67 and 9 matches (so far) with Y-DNA111. I have already ordered the Big Y Test.

Could someone explain how the Big Y Test results will help me in determining common ancestors with my Y DNA (STR) Test matches?

Thank you.

[Taed]

You don't say what your ultimate goal is, but if you're now looking to show how closely related you are to those Y matches, I think that the best next step is autosomal testing such as Family Finder ($99). This is very good at determining closer relationships, say less than 6th cousins. And at the very close relationships (3rd cousin or less), it's possible to pick out what type of relationship it is -- for example, a 2nd cousin versus a 3rd cousin.

You certainly did well with your Y matches! I had 7 matches at 67 markers (closest was 2 steps), but none at 111.

[sjadelson]

What Taed says is true -- if you're lucky. Ashkenazi have tons (in my own case, literally THOUSANDS) of FamilyFinder matches, and I have yet to find one definitive documented cousin. A few are tantalizingly close, but no paper trail yet.

But, neither test is any good for finding relationships until/unless others test as well. The Big Y specifically will greatly refine your location in the SNP tree. Others who test to the same location or close by are related, but we're not at the point yet where we can say "3rd cousin". We *expect* a mutation every 4-6 generations in the SNPs covered by Big Y, but, honestly, we don't know with certitude. Even FTDNA is refraining from pushing Big Y as the next test for recent genealogical purposes.

If you're looking for matches and have money to spare, though, this is a fantastic time to get more people on the FF test. $99 with a $100 restaurants.com gift card. If you were willing to pay anyway, you can sweeten the pot by offering to pay AND give them the gift card.

[MMaddi]

If you're looking for matches and have money to spare, though, this is a fantastic time to get more people on the FF test. $99 with a $100 restaurants.com gift card. If you were willing to pay anyway, you can sweeten the pot by offering to pay AND give them the gift card.

That's a good idea. However, please note that the gift card is from restaurant.com, not restaurants.com, as you posted. These are two different sites.

[sjadelson]

That's a good idea. However, please note that the gift card is from restaurant.com, not restaurants.com, as you posted. These are two different sites.

Oooh, yes. Thank you for the correction.

[prairielad]

Hello,

I have a large number of matches at Y- DNA67 and 9 matches (so far) with Y-DNA111. I have already ordered the Big Y Test.

Could someone explain how the Big Y Test results will help me in determining common ancestors with my Y DNA (STR) Test matches?

Thank you.

The way I understand it,

The Big Y Test may find new SNP's which will further define your current known subclade.

Once your results are in, and if it finds some new SNP's, your matches can then test them to see if they are also positive. That is when they become available to be tested individual through advanced menu on Upgrade page.

If some matches are positive and others are not, the positive ones will be closer related then the ones who turn out negative.

[Jessant]

Jennifer Zinck reports (via http://www.ancestorcentral.com/archives/821 ; see the Dr. Connie Bormans section) that there is a limit (2000?) on the number of new SNPs to be offered for individual testing, and that how widespread the SNP is will be a determining factor.

The way I understand it,
Once your results are in, and if it finds some new SNP's, your matches can then test them to see if they are also positive. That is when they become available to be tested individual through advanced menu on Upgrade page.

Reading between the lines, I wouldn't count on every surname-specific SNP being offered for individual order very soon, if at all.

FTDNA's new SNP policy makes some sense. Unintentional or not, the consequence seems to be that a surname/lineage study will need multiple Big Y tests in order to make sense of the first participant's results.

[ajmr1a1]

That's a good idea. However, please note that the gift card is from restaurant.com, not restaurants.com, as you posted. These are two different sites.

Did anyone get their $100 gift card yet?

I purchased a new FF test on Nov. 10 and I was told we should be
getting an email with a code of some sort this coming week.

[1_mke]

I've tested to 111 markers and have zero exact matches even at the twelve marker level. I'd love to help science but I'm thinking that the Big Y is unlikely to do me much good personally at this point. Is that a fair assessment?

[Tourist]

I am of the M222 group where SNP testing has become the hot ticket item. But the controversy there is about ScotlandsDNA Chromo2 test or the new FTDNA Big Y test.

[paulgill]

@Tourist, Full Genome is best.

[Tourist]

Is that a fair assessment?

Your not having any exact 12 marker matches? Hmm? To be honest, I agree with your assessment that the Big Y test could be a waste of investment at this time. The Big Y test and others like it are really more of an advanced stage of genetic exploration.

[Tourist]

@Tourist, Full Genome is best.

Well, there has been some controversy about the Full Genome test, too.

Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances, and then the genetic "experts" get to figure it out!

[Brunetmj]

I have rather given up on finding matches. I am stuck at DF13 under L21 and have tested negative for all downstream SNP's. In addition my haplotype is unusual and I dont match anyone. So I end up as an unassigned group dumped at the end of a spreadsheet pile six thousand names long. All I am looking for is a home. I am hoping either the Big Y , which I ordered, or the full genome will show some Major SNP's , still unknown, under DF13. This would make me happy.

[paulgill]

I have rather given up on finding matches. I am stuck at DF13 under L21 and have tested negative for all downstream SNP's. In addition my haplotype is unusual and I dont match anyone. So I end up as an unassigned group dumped at the end of a spreadsheet pile six thousand names long. All I am looking for is a home. I am hoping either the Big Y , which I ordered, or the full genome will show some Major SNP's , still unknown, under DF13. This would make me happy.

BIG Y will give you only 40% of FG snps.