Several questions have been raised about haplogroups, so I will try to offer some information and also point you to webpages that delve more deeply into the subject. In theory, all humans descend from an original pair. The next three paragraphs are quoted from [http://www.dnaheritage.com/masterclass2.asp]. If you're game for more information, check out this page. "Over time, many mutations in the DNA strand have occurred. The Y-chromosome, whose main job is just to turn on the male baby switch, has also picked up mutations of a particular type as time has passed. This type of mutation is called a SNP (or Single Nucleotide Polymorphism). "These SNP's are so rare as to be considered unique and are passed down faithfully from father to son. Because of this, they have been used to define several broad groups into which every male in the world can be placed in. These broad groups are called haplogroups. "As man has migrated around the world over time, these haplogroups can be used to trace their paths. This is incredibly useful and is an extra tool used alongside archaeological and linguistic data. Because some haplotypes (from STR tests) are found to be common within particular haplogroups, it is very often possible to make a prediction of what your haplo group is from your haplo type." Your haplotype is indicated by your Y-DNA markers. In theory your haplotype can be categorized into a particular haplogroup based on how well it matches the haplotypes known to belong to each haplogroup. When you get your Y-DNA results back from Family Tree DNA they indicate the haplogroup it appears that you belong in based on your marker values. To verify this with certainty, they offer an additional test (cost $65) that will determine your haplogroup. Family Tree DNA has a page at [http://www.familytreedna.com/hap_explain.html] that gives more information about haplogroups. So why would you want to know your haplogroup? Curiosity perhaps. What it will possibly tell you is where your far-distant ancestors lived (in very broad terms). The webpage at [https://home.comcast.net/~whitathey/predictorinstr.htm] provides an interactive form that allows you to enter your marker values and see what the likelihood of belonging to any particular haplogroup is. I can't personally vouch for this tool, but it appears to be valid. Personally, I don't see a tremendous value in paying extra to see if your haplotype is really what they estimate it to be. If you do, go for it. Hope this helps to clear up some of the confusion. Charlie Hartley Bowles DNA Project Administrator [mailto:hartley@iglou.com]