Value of DNA tests related to genealogy.

[JohnSanford]

. I saw an item some time ago that FTDNA (whoever they are) has advised us that "even if you have a 25/25 match, and the same surname, you may not actually be kin". Is this actually TRUE??


They go further to say that you must also have a 'paper trail' to indicate actual relationship. They go further to say that " DNA testing can prove ALMOST without question, that is if you do not have a close match, you are not kin through your male line".

[whitkeen]

First of all, people have only had surnames that stayed the same for about 400-500 years (there are exceptions, but not that many). Some surnames are trade or place names or descriptors (cruikshank, for example). All of these could have been selected by many unrelated people at various times and in various places. There is no reason for anyone to assume that all Smiths are related, or all Springfields or Read/Reed/Reids. You need some sort of paper evidence to tie them together. That being said, if you have the same name and the same dna, there is a much better chance of relatedness than if you had the same name but not the same dna. Hence, very different dna indicates NON-relatedness regardless of name. If you have the same dna but different names, you MAY be related, but a long time ago before surnames, or you may be related and not be able to prove it (adoption) or there may be a random mutation and you are not related at all. The Y and mtDNA tests only show relatedness either father to son, or mother to daughter to most recent child(male or female). You could be related through other channels.

FTDNA maintains this site and is a purveyor of Y and mt DNA testing and various other genealogical/genetic testing. Good people. Check out their site. Our surname project uses them for testing.

[JohnSanford]

Value of DNA tests related to genealogy.

You advised me that FTDNA is for 'Family Tree DNA, thanks. And The answer to my question is YES! Hmmmm. John Sanford of CA.