What to do when an exact match has since passed away?

[Zaru]

I have received my first exact match ever in four years yesterday! What makes it special is that we had had a NPE somewhere in my line and we are trying to figure it all out. Granted it was only at 12 markers, but for anyone who has seen my first twelve markers it is a big deal. No one in Y Search or FTDNA has matched perfectly.

There is a big and sad problem-the match may have unexpectedly deceased since. I found out by conducting a people search nationwide to which there are only three people who are listed in the country with his name. One passed away in September, he is probably not the donor, the other passed away last week. There is one other who may be the fellow.

I have responded to the email address that was provided and await a response but I am skeptical about it.

What is FTDNA's policy regarding something like this? I am somewhat ethically torn about how to proceed here. I really feel for the hardships that his family must be going through, it's awful and we've all been through the grieving process. I am wondering - would FTDNA would allow for me to pay for an upgrade? It sounds sordid and shameful I know, but this is as close as I have been to catching the big one.

[efgen]

Congrats on your match!

Don't despair yet... you don't know the situation. Maybe the man's daughter, granddaughter, niece or someone else paid for the test and is in control of the kit. I've had several different family members tested over the years, including my grandfather, who unfortunately passed away a year ago. His DNA is still in the database, and I'm the custodian of his account.

Wait to see if you get a response to the email. If you are correct that this person passed away only last week, then I suggest giving it a month or so, and if you still don't get a response, try sending your email once more. If you still don't get a response then look into alternatives. Maybe FTDNA would be willing to call or send a letter to the address on record so that a family member gets it? It's worth asking, but wait a while and see if you get any response to your email first.

But no, FTDNA will not allow you to pay for an upgrade on someone else's DNA without their permission.

Elise

[Zaru]

We were both right.

Congrats on your match!

Don't despair yet... you don't know the situation. Maybe the man's daughter, granddaughter, niece or someone else paid for the test and is in control of the kit. I've had several different family members tested over the years, including my grandfather, who unfortunately passed away a year ago. His DNA is still in the database, and I'm the custodian of his account.

Wait to see if you get a response to the email. If you are correct that this person passed away only last week, then I suggest giving it a month or so, and if you still don't get a response, try sending your email once more. If you still don't get a response then look into alternatives. Maybe FTDNA would be willing to call or send a letter to the address on record so that a family member gets it? It's worth asking, but wait a while and see if you get any response to your email first.

But no, FTDNA will not allow you to pay for an upgrade on someone else's DNA without their permission.

Elise

The gentleman has since deceased but his wife is the custodian. She contacted me today. She ordered the 37 marker test for him-should I assume that we are not a match @ 37 markers since he is not listed beyond 12? He was only listed yesterday on my match page, do they release them all at once or in bunches?

[efgen]

The gentleman has since deceased but his wife is the custodian. She contacted me today. She ordered the 37 marker test for him-should I assume that we are not a match @ 37 markers since he is not listed beyond 12? He was only listed yesterday on my match page, do they release them all at once or in bunches?

Great that she contacted you so quickly, especially with her loss being so recent.

The tests are done in panels... 1-12, 13-25, 26-37. On your match page, next to his name, it would say (25) or (37) if he had more markers in the database. If there's no notation, then only the 12-marker panel is done so far.

Elise

[T E Peterman]

A few years ago, I persuaded a 2nd cousin twice removed to take the y-DNA test. His patriline was the same as that of my great-great grandmother. I knew that the only way of getting the DNA for her patriline tested would be through such a cousin. I paid for the test & have remained the contact since. He passed away a couple of years ago.

I have since upgraded his results with the new deep clade tests & have determined that he is R-P312*

The only roadblock to indefinitely upgrading his results will be the day when Family Tree DNA mails a kit (to my address) requesting an additional sample. I am hoping they got a good sample the first time & so far, it looks like that is the case.

Timothy Peterman

[Jim Barrett]

I have received my first exact match ever in four years yesterday! What makes it special is that we had had a NPE somewhere in my line and we are trying to figure it all out. Granted it was only at 12 markers, but for anyone who has seen my first twelve markers it is a big deal. No one in Y Search or FTDNA has matched perfectly.confused:

Don't assume that no one else in the FTDNA database matches you. Many people select to only allow matches to be reported if it is a match within their surname project. And I'll bet over 50% of the people in the FTDNA database have not uploaded their results to Ysearch.

I am assuming that you have tested beyond 12 markers and that you have had results beyond those 12 markers for some time. If this is correct then I'll bet your new match has just received the results and the other markers will be reported later. If you get a change you might ask the woman 1) to let you know when additional markers are reported for her husband and 2) if he has other 12 marker matches. Who knows. The woman may see the DNA matches as a way to continue remember her husband.

[Zaru]

Don't assume that no one else in the FTDNA database matches you. Many people select to only allow matches to be reported if it is a match within their surname project. And I'll bet over 50% of the people in the FTDNA database have not uploaded their results to Ysearch.

I am assuming that you have tested beyond 12 markers and that you have had results beyond those 12 markers for some time. If this is correct then I'll bet your new match has just received the results and the other markers will be reported later. If you get a change you might ask the woman 1) to let you know when additional markers are reported for her husband and 2) if he has other 12 marker matches. Who knows. The woman may see the DNA matches as a way to continue remember her husband.

He tested for 37 markers so I'll sit tight.

No one who has tested with FTDNA has matched me yet at 12 markers-that's out of what 154,000+ Y tests so I'll deduct half for those who opted to not enter the main database, which would leave 70,000+. FTDNA really should consider the results mandatory for the FTDNA database. There are many who are adopted looking for matches, and many (myself included) who found out that they are a product of a NPE. So opening the database would serve me well.

I know that this probably will not turn up positive in the long term as the geography of our ancestry makes it almost impossible(at least stateside). His family has only been here (in NYC) for three generations and then Poland/Russia. In any event, it may tell me something about deep ancestry which is exciting as well.

[darroll]

FTDNA will notify you if you have a match.
They do not go by surname's just matches.
YSEARCH is an extra source.

[Jim Barrett]

FTDNA will notify you if you have a match.
They do not go by surname's just matches.
YSEARCH is an extra source.

Darroll, If you go to your "myFTDNA" website and click on "User Preferences" you'll see that there are several different options you can select, including "I want to restrict the display of matches only to my Surname Project".

I believe that if you make this selection not only will you only see those matches, only people within your Surname Project will see you matches. If you elect to exclude 12 marker matches, no one will see your 12 marker matches. I believe this is a two way street.

[jr76x]

Jaru, to give you fair expectations, I have EIGHT exact matches at 12 markers. However, if I look at where their oldest known origins are, they're all over Europe. So, tell me how useful is that.

No surprise, I don't have a single exact match after those first 12. So now, you can see the only purpose for a 12-marker test is to have a vague generalization of where your family migrated from in prehistory. It does little to nothing in terms of giving answers or connecting to others.

[jr76x]

Jaru, to give you fair expectations, I have EIGHT exact matches at 12 markers. However, if I look at where their oldest known origins are, they're all over Europe. So, tell me how useful is that.

No surprise, I don't have a single exact match after those first 12. So now, you can see the only purpose for a 12-marker test is to have a vague generalization of where your family migrated from in prehistory. It does little to nothing in terms of giving answers or connecting to others.

[Zaru]

Jaru, to give you fair expectations, I have EIGHT exact matches at 12 markers. However, if I look at where their oldest known origins are, they're all over Europe. So, tell me how useful is that.

No surprise, I don't have a single exact match after those first 12. So now, you can see the only purpose for a 12-marker test is to have a vague generalization of where your family migrated from in prehistory. It does little to nothing in terms of giving answers or connecting to others.

After being in the database for 3+ years this is my first exact match. I chalk it up to coincidence, but it is significant that an L21+ guy would only have 1 match at 12 markers!

Cheers,

Zaru

[Stevo]

After being in the database for 3+ years this is my first exact match. I chalk it up to coincidence, but it is significant that an L21+ guy would only have 1 match at 12 markers!

Cheers,

Zaru

Congratulations on your match. Let us know how it holds up at 37 markers. I'm hoping it does.

[darroll]

I'm our families admin.
We are very happy with DNA test results.
We found out what country both sides came from.
We also have been able to verify the paper trail.
Some belonged and others didn't. One line is stubborn and cannot accept the error. (they think).
MT-DNA all were perfect matches while Y-DNA was off one higher mark. This ended up being a 66 of 67 match.
Thanks, Darroll