SNP testing question

[Stan1026]

Can anyone order any SNP test for themselves? That is, even if they are not listed as being eligible for, say, CTS4528, and have not had a deep clade test in the past, can they still order the SNP test?

[morrisondna]

Certainly. Individual SNPs can be ordered a la carte from FTDNA and elsewhere. However, the best thing to do is to join a haplogroup project based on your predicted haplogroup and get recommendations from the haplogroup project administrator. The current automated suggested tests from FTDNA are often not the appropriate tests to take due to some wrinkles in the FTNDA system.

[gtc]

You can order any SNP test that's in the menu, even SNPs that don't belong to your confirmed haplogroup -- which would be a complete waste of money.

That's why it's best to join the appropriate haplogroup project and seek testing strategy guidance from its administrators.

[1798]

Can anyone order any SNP test for themselves? That is, even if they are not listed as being eligible for, say, CTS4528, and have not had a deep clade test in the past, can they still order the SNP test?

Yes, you can order any test you want without any project admin (aka control freaks) holding you by the hand.

[KSDA]

Yes, you can order any test you want without any project admin (aka control freaks) holding you by the hand.

One hell of an exaggeration here. My project admins have been nothing but helpful.

[1798]

One hell of an exaggeration here. My project admins have been nothing but helpful.

A project admin can look at your personal data i.e. your address, enter it on google earth and watch what you eat for breakfast.

[N21163]

A project admin can look at your personal data i.e. your address, enter it on google earth and watch what you eat for breakfast.

Just a heads up...Google Earth doesn't work in 'real time', so even if they wanted to see what you were eating for breakfast they couldn't.
I'm wondering if this was an attempt at sarcasm?...have the project admins not been helpful to you?

[1798]

Just a heads up...Google Earth doesn't work in 'real time', so even if they wanted to see what you were eating for breakfast they couldn't.
I'm wondering if this was an attempt at sarcasm?...have the project admins not been helpful to you?

I am just letting people know that project admins have a lot of access to their personal info, and I would like to know why?

[Wing_Genealogis]

I am just letting people know that project admins have a lot of access to their personal info, and I would like to know why?

There are a number of FTDNA customers who either are not online at all, or who have only very limited internet skills. These folks (and others) rely on the Project Admins (who are sometimes family members) to assist them with the process.

It is always a balancing act between an individual's right to privacy, vs. the right of customers to have help from someone more familiar with the system (as even FTDNA helpdesk staff don't have the expertise the project admins have regarding many questions).

There is no system which will be well liked by everyone, and FTDNA has tried to steer down a path which most of its customers are okay with.

As you have stated in the past, individuals can chose whether or not to participate in projects. There are definite benefits to project participation, but it also calls for giving up some level of privacy.

[Brunetmj]

OK back on topic..
There is also a process to put newly discovered SNP's on the menu.
For example some of the FGC SNP's have been added recently for my newly discovered subclade FGC 5496. Others may know about the process than I , but they can be added by FTDNA.

[morrisondna]

Project admins can request that FTDNA add a test for a particular SNP. Then it is up to FTDNA's discretion whether or not they add the SNP. Adding tests for newly discovered SNPs it critical to the full use of Big Y results for family genealogy, so let's hope this process goes smoothly.