I had a similar situation with a sample left on file with FTDNA for a deceased uncle who had tested 25 markers in 2002. I called the company and explained that he was the last test-eligible male in our line and asked if I could assume his account and have his test upgraded to 111 markers. They graciously allowed me access to his account so that I could change contact info., password, etc. and in effect became the new account owner. They further upgraded his test for me as requested, explaining, however, that such an aged sample may not produce results. I'm happy to report that not only did the old sample survive the rigors of testing, it more importantly allowed a 30 year brick wall to tumble. I just wish that my uncle and father had lived long enough to learn the outcome. Regardless, yes, it's possible to assume responsibility for a deceased relative's account, at least with FTDNA. I would think, if nothing else, it would be good business practice for Ancestry to do the same. A phone call will tell you, either way. Good luck to the original poster! A related question: I too, confess to being a complete novice on Y-DNA (the above example encompasses my complete experience). I was advised by the haplogroup project to which my deceased uncle now belongs that I should consider Big Y and/or additional SNP testing and was left with the impression that this is possible even though the remaining test vial previously on file was used for the 111 marker upgrade. Is this true? If so, what does the lab use to work with if there is (now) nothing left on file? On Sat, Oct 3, 2015 at 7:49 AM, Karla Huebner via < genealogy-dna@rootsweb.com> wrote: > Dear Tim, > > Thanks for the clarification--I am sure it will be a relief for many to > know that Ancestry does retain the samples. I had thought I remembered > reading that they did not or that it was unknown whether they did, so the > correction is needed. > > Of course, as you point out, it might not be easy for family members to > retrieve those samples later on. > > Karla > > On Fri, Oct 2, 2015 at 11:41 PM, Tim Janzen via < > genealogy-dna@rootsweb.com> > wrote: > > > Dear Karla, > > Ancestry.com does save the DNA left over after the AncestryDNA test is > run. > > See the information at > > http://www.isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_testing_comparison_chart about > > this. > > However, getting access to the preserved sample could be challenging. > You > > would need to contact Ancestry.com about their procedures for > relinquishing > > DNA samples to family members. > > Tim Janzen > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: genealogy-dna-bounces@rootsweb.com > > [mailto:genealogy-dna-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Karla Huebner > via > > Sent: Friday, October 2, 2015 7:43 PM > > To: Wesley Johnston; genealogy-dna@rootsweb.com > > Subject: Re: [DNA] Obtaining y-DNA from a sample at Ancestry > > > > I don't think Ancestry keeps the DNA samples. If he hasn't been buried or > > cremated yet, the family could do a cheek swab to send to FTDNA... not > > perhaps an appealing thought, but if they really want to do a Y test I > > think > > that's their only option. > > > > > > ------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > > GENEALOGY-DNA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > > > -- > Karla Huebner > calypsospots AT gmail.com > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GENEALOGY-DNA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

If there is enough DNA sample left, I would run the Family Finder (autosomal) DNA test on it. Much more info would come from that test about your father's side. IMO. Jim - www.segmentology.org > On Oct 3, 2015, at 8:22 AM, Christy Jordan-Frank via <genealogy-dna@rootsweb.com> wrote: > > I had a similar situation with a sample left on file with FTDNA for a > deceased uncle who had tested 25 markers in 2002. I called the company and > explained that he was the last test-eligible male in our line and asked if > I could assume his account and have his test upgraded to 111 markers. They > graciously allowed me access to his account so that I could change contact > info., password, etc. and in effect became the new account owner. They > further upgraded his test for me as requested, explaining, however, that > such an aged sample may not produce results. I'm happy to report that not > only did the old sample survive the rigors of testing, it more importantly > allowed a 30 year brick wall to tumble. I just wish that my uncle and > father had lived long enough to learn the outcome. > > Regardless, yes, it's possible to assume responsibility for a deceased > relative's account, at least with FTDNA. I would think, if nothing else, > it would be good business practice for Ancestry to do the same. A phone > call will tell you, either way. Good luck to the original poster! > > A related question: I too, confess to being a complete novice on Y-DNA > (the above example encompasses my complete experience). I was advised by > the haplogroup project to which my deceased uncle now belongs that I should > consider Big Y and/or additional SNP testing and was left with the > impression that this is possible even though the remaining test vial > previously on file was used for the 111 marker upgrade. Is this true? If > so, what does the lab use to work with if there is (now) nothing left on > file? > >

Jim-- I agree. Last fall when I had the Y-DNA upgrade done, I also looked into having a Family Finder test done and was informed by FTDNA staff that it was unlikely that it would be possible since 1) the remaining vial would likely be used in its entirety for the Y upgrade test, and 2) FF tests require "fresher" and larger samples. So, I accepted that and let it go. However, prompted by your post, I called FTDNA yesterday and raised the issue again. Happily I was informed that they did not in fact use up the whole sample last fall and that even though it's neither fresh nor large (and now a year older), it may still produce a result, and if not, it would cost me a mere 25% of the test price to find out. Well worth it since this relative's sample was from 2002, he's been deceased since 2007, and for all practical purposes, he's my last test-eligible relative on that particular line. So, just wanted to say thanks for the prompt. Hope to receive good news in 4-6 weeks. On Sat, Oct 3, 2015 at 9:42 AM, Jim Bartlett <jim4bartletts@verizon.net> wrote: > If there is enough DNA sample left, I would run the Family Finder > (autosomal) DNA test on it. Much more info would come from that test about > your father's side. IMO. > > Jim - www.segmentology.org > > > On Oct 3, 2015, at 8:22 AM, Christy Jordan-Frank via < > genealogy-dna@rootsweb.com> wrote: > > > > I had a similar situation with a sample left on file with FTDNA for a > > deceased uncle who had tested 25 markers in 2002. I called the company > and > > explained that he was the last test-eligible male in our line and asked > if > > I could assume his account and have his test upgraded to 111 markers. > They > > graciously allowed me access to his account so that I could change > contact > > info., password, etc. and in effect became the new account owner. They > > further upgraded his test for me as requested, explaining, however, that > > such an aged sample may not produce results. I'm happy to report that > not > > only did the old sample survive the rigors of testing, it more > importantly > > allowed a 30 year brick wall to tumble. I just wish that my uncle and > > father had lived long enough to learn the outcome. > > > > Regardless, yes, it's possible to assume responsibility for a deceased > > relative's account, at least with FTDNA. I would think, if nothing else, > > it would be good business practice for Ancestry to do the same. A phone > > call will tell you, either way. Good luck to the original poster! > > > > A related question: I too, confess to being a complete novice on Y-DNA > > (the above example encompasses my complete experience). I was advised by > > the haplogroup project to which my deceased uncle now belongs that I > should > > consider Big Y and/or additional SNP testing and was left with the > > impression that this is possible even though the remaining test vial > > previously on file was used for the 111 marker upgrade. Is this true? > If > > so, what does the lab use to work with if there is (now) nothing left on > > file? > > > > >