Verifying National Geographic Results

[ddugas]

We have done some testing within our family, 5 individuals in total, 3 with Family Tree DNA and 2 with National Geographic. One of the National Geographic tests came back with a completely different result in a different Haplogroup. The other 4 results were Haplogroup J2 and this 5th result was haplogroup G.

The testee has become increasingly worried that National Geographic made a mistake. All our family tree is very well documented with all 5 lines meeting back at 1708. I have explained that it is more likely some sort of adoption etc.. may have taken place on her line.

She would like to know what she can do to verify that the result she received is in fact hers? Does she need to pay for a second test to do this? How can NG confirm she has in fact received the correct results?

[cacio]

ddugas:

testing errors happen all the times, sometimes even a clerical error. You should certainly ask NG to doublecheck, though they won't necessarily redo the test.

If you can spend the money, the ideal thing is to test with another company (eg Ethnoancestry), which would be an independent test. But that's expensive.

I am assuming that you're talking about the Y chromosome - male line test. But I got a little confused when you talked about "her". Is she testing her father or her brother?

cacio

[ddugas]

ddugas:


I am assuming that you're talking about the Y chromosome - male line test. But I got a little confused when you talked about "her". Is she testing her father or her brother?

cacio

Yes, it was Y testing. She's the genealogist and her father did the test. NG doesn't seem to offer any contact info but I am sure she will find it somehow. Thanks for your comments.

[cacio]

ddugas:

certainly they have. The NG test is actually done by the company FTDNA. From your NG webpage, you can actually transfer your data to the FTDNA webpage. FTDNA then has further contact info.

One last thing: I assume you have verified that the STR numbers are indeed different. sometimes, they may just make a mistake in saying J vs G, but the underlying numbers are the same, which means it's just a clerical error.

cacio

[ddugas]

ddugas:

certainly they have. The NG test is actually done by the company FTDNA. From your NG webpage, you can actually transfer your data to the FTDNA webpage. FTDNA then has further contact info.

One last thing: I assume you have verified that the STR numbers are indeed different. sometimes, they may just make a mistake in saying J vs G, but the underlying numbers are the same, which means it's just a clerical error.

cacio

Oh yes, they uploaded to FTDNA and were picked up by the Haplogroup G project and their STR's are so far apart from ours I think at 12 markers there may actually be only 2 or 3 that match. Their surname is slightly different, but we know the the testee and their paternal genealogy very well, their name changed slightly when they immigrated to the US. I did find a contact email on the NG site so we'll see what they say....

[MMaddi]

Oh yes, they uploaded to FTDNA and were picked up by the Haplogroup G project and their STR's are so far apart from ours I think at 12 markers there may actually be only 2 or 3 that match. Their surname is slightly different, but we know the the testee and their paternal genealogy very well, their name changed slightly when they immigrated to the US. I did find a contact email on the NG site so we'll see what they say....

Since she has transferred her father's results to FTDNA and has a kit number and account there, I think she or you would be better off e-mailing or calling FTDNA and tell them about your concern that the haplogroup doesn't match that of other family members who've tested.

FTDNA has great customer service, but I think that NG is more oriented toward their research in indigenous areas around the world. I think you're likely to get a better and faster answer from FTDNA.

[ddugas]

Since she has transferred her father's results to FTDNA and has a kit number and account there, I think she or you would be better off e-mailing or calling FTDNA and tell them about your concern that the haplogroup doesn't match that of other family members who've tested.

FTDNA has great customer service, but I think that NG is more oriented toward their research in indigenous areas around the world. I think you're likely to get a better and faster answer from FTDNA.

They do have one of those N numbers with FTDNA. I will recommend they follow both avenues for follow up. Thanks to you both.