Y-DNA testing should start with the 37 marker test as an absolute minimum. That test will greatly reduce the chances of having "random matches" which are not matches at all and are misleading. And it will increase the chances of having genuine and meaningful matches. But the 67 marker test is even better. Robert Nicholson ----- Original Message ----- From: <KiwisKeeper@aol.com> To: <germanna_colonies@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 11:03 PM Subject: Re: [GERMANNA] DNA TESTS >I have thought the 12 marker test were little to no value. The one in my > family that was suppose to match a different surname didn't match a person > on > the 12 markers. Every name is a different surnames. How could anyone have > that > many father's. I know that doesn't sound right but neither does the over a > hundred different names for a Y DNA test. Frances > > > In a message dated 12/19/2008 9:54:26 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, > persisto@earthlink.net writes: > > > On Dec 19, 2008, at 9:57 PM, Corlee wrote: > >> Never order more than the 12 Marker Y-chromosome test. If you do >> not match any one with that test, having more markers test will not >> find a match. > > You could not possibly be more wrong. A 12 marker test is absolutely > useless and a waste of money. > > Craig Kilby > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GERMANNA_COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the > subject and the body of the message > > > **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, > Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. > (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000025) > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GERMANNA_COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

I've skipped over most of this discussion, so this may already have been said. The best that 12 markers can do is tell you that you are not related. Matching 12/12 simply means that somewhere in the distant (perhaps prehistoric) past you share a common ancestor. It tells you nothing specifically about who this common ancestor might be. The best test for this purpose is probably the 37 marker test (since the difference in cost between the 25 and 37 marker tests is not that great). I only recommend the 67 marker upgrade for those who already match 37/37 and seek to refine their results. However, when all is said and done, DNA alone is not going to tell you definitively who that common ancestor is. It still takes tracking down the paper trail. Another thought to throw in here: DNA can sometimes tell you things you might rather not know, such as an ancestor who was "born on the wrong side of the blanket." If you do DNA, go in prepared for that possibility. -- Charlie Hartley Bowles DNA Project Administrator