As mentioned several times, Family Tree DNA is offering a new test for genetic genealogy, the Family Finder test. Several people have contacted me about receiving an email yesterday from FTDNA soliciting orders for this test. FTDNA is the company which tests the members of our Pate DNA Project. We have now had eight members of our Pate DNA Project, five men and three women, order the Family Finder test (FF test), and only one has not yet received his results. My first impression about the test was deep disappointment because there were no instant results, particularly on identifying some of the kinships between us in our Pate family lines. However, after reviewing our results a little deeper and more thoroughly, there may still be some potential in the test, but finding kinships may be more difficult than initially thought. After some experience and reflection, here are my thoughts on the usefulness of the Family Finder test, primarily as it relates to our Pate family lines: a.. First, have low expectations for instant gratification. All matches must come from the database compiled by FTDNA on results from all FF tests taken by their company's customers. Over time, this database will obviously expand as more people take the FF test. FTDNA is now only in the early stages of growth for this new test. b.. Since our Pate DNA Project has captured a high percentage of Pate males with a strong interest in their genealogy, there are likely not a lot of other Pate-surname males taking the FF test who are not also members of our Project. c.. Your best potential for making connections will likely be with non-Pate males with a Pate bloodline and females with a Pate bloodline. d.. Once you receive a list of matches, you have to be aware that the results may come from any of your 64 grandparents at the 5th cousin level, so you will have to dig for possible Pate connections. e.. Then, there are some problems in dealing with your matches. Some do not post their ancestral surnames or their gedcoms. Some will not respond to your emails. Of those who do respond, many may have only a superficial knowledge of their genealogy. f.. Even after establishing a Pate kinship, you may still be unable to determine precisely who your common ancestor was, if both set of records are lacking in sufficient detail and/or are undocumented. Of course, the promise and hope of this test is that you will locate matches with whom you can establish a Pate kinship (or with other surnames), and, through your combined genealogical documentation, you will be able to extend/expand your own family line, hopefully beyond your brickwall. I don't believe any of us have been that successful. As far as Pate connections are concerned, Audrey Young and I may be the most successful so far. We had long suspected a fairly close kinship based on traditional genealogy, which we were able to confirm with the FF test as possible 4th cousins. The test will not specifically identify your common ancestor, so we still have that hurdle to cross. But at least we can be more confident and focused in future research. Audrey has informed me that she has been able to confirm kinship with several other cousins disclosed by the test in some of her other ancestral surnames. Brenda Green has also confirmed some kinships in other surnames. I have not been informed of any successes any others have had. I had sent this message last week to the members who have taken the test. I had intended to take a survey to get their impressions of the results before posting this publicly. But since FTDNA sent out their solicitation yesterday, I think I should move quickly to inform any who may be considering the test. Several have expressed agreement with my conclusions. I want to be certain that people are making a fully informed decision. At this time, I am fairly neutral on the value of the test. There is likely to be potential not yet evident. So, I am not recommending to take the test or not. It has to be an indivdual choice based on your own situation. I just want everyone to have realistic expectations. I encourage any have taken the test to post their comments here for all to consider. If anyone has further questions or needs more information, please contact me. A. J. Pate Group Administrator Pate DNA Project