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Transferring Results from National Geographic to Family Tree DNA

Roberta Estes

There are several reasons why you might want to transfer your National Geographic Genographic Geno version 1.0 and 2.0 results to Family Tree DNA.

Please note these are only valid for the Geno 2.0 version, prior to the Helix tests that began in November of 2016.

If you’re not a Family Tree DNA client, there is a whole new genetic genealogy world just waiting on you, and transferring your results is free. National Geographic test version 1.0, which is no longer available, included a 12 marker Y DNA test, and version 2.0, currently available, includes extensive haplogroup (clan) information that complements the 12-111 marker tests at Family Tree DNA, as well as other information. If you haven’t yet taken the 12 marker or other Y DNA tests at Family Tree DNA, you will be offered that opportunity in order to find your matches. After transferring your results to Family Tree DNA, you will be able to order additional tests, contact your matches via e-mail and share your genealogy information.  It’s an exciting time in genetic genealogy!

YDNA SNPs

If you are already a Family Tree DNA customer, then you’ll want to download your data for a different reason. The Geno 2.0 chip includes an extensive list of Y DNA SNPs that are tested, far beyond what Family Tree DNA offers, and you will want to integrate this data into your results pages at Family Tree DNA.

Mitochondrial DNA

If you have not yet tested your mitochondrial DNA, Geno 2.0 provides you with your haplogroup, your deep ancestral clan information.  The markers required to define your haplogroup will transfer to Family Tree DNA. If you want, you can then order the mtDNA, mtDNAPlus or the full mitochondrial sequence test to see what personal mutations you carry, and who you match.

If you have taken any mitochondrial DNA test at Family Tree DNA, none of the Geno 2.0 information will transfer, including updated haplogroup information.  The Full Mitochondrial Sequence test at Family Tree DNA is more extensive than the Geno 2.0 haplogroup only test.

Autosomal Results

The two autosomal tests, the one provided by Family Tree DNA (Family Finder) and the one included in the Geno 2.0 product are entirely different beasts. The Family Finder test provides you with a list of cousin matches with numerous matching tools and an ethnicity report.

The Geno 2.0 product also provides an ethnicity report but uses different comparison populations and markers than Family Tree DNA, so they serve different purposes, the Family Tree DNA Family Finder product being more focused towards genealogy and the National Geographic product being more focused towards anthropology or deep ancestry. I mean, let’s face it, you’re probably not going to be able to go back far enough in time to tack a pure Neanderthal or a pure Denisovan on your family tree, your favorite brother-in-law excepted:)

How to Transfer Your Results

In order to facilitate the transfer, you’ll need to set up an account at National Geographic, and you’ll need your National Geographic kit numbers. So find those before you start. If all else fails, find that lovely black box your Geno 2.0 test kit arrived in. Your participant number is on the inside of the front cover. And you thought it was just another pretty box!

You’ll also need your Family Tree DNA kit number and password for the kit you want these results to transfer into.

Go to the Genographic website at http://www.genographic.com and click on
“Check Results.” You’ll be prompted through setting up your account at National Geographic. Whether or not you want to transfer data, you need to set up your account because if you don’t, and you lose your Nat Geo kit number, you’re toast.

After you enter your kit ID and set up your account, you’ll see the main results screen.  This is mine, and no, my paternal results aren’t missing…there aren’t any because as a female, I don’t carry a Y chromosome!

Now click on “Profile” in the upper right hand corner of the screen.  You’ll see the profile screen below.

You’ll see your profile, along with your kit numbers. You’ll need these for the next step so you’ll want to be sure to write them down. I’ve greyed mine above, but you can see where they were.  Note that if you have already transferred your Geno 1.0 results previouisly, adding that kit number here has been reported to generate an error.  If so, then try again without the 1.0 kit number.

Next, click on “Expert Options” at the top right of the screen. You’ll see “Download Data” and “Transfer Data to Family Tree DNA.”

Click on “Transfer Data to Family Tree DNA.” You’re almost done!!! You will be transferred to a screen on the Family Tree DNA site.

The kit numbers that you need are the numbers are displayed in your National Geographic account settings screen that I suggested you write down – plus – of course – your Family Tree DNA kit number and password that you want your National Geographic results associated with.

Complete this and click on next. You will see an order screen that looks like you are placing an order. Don’t worry, the order is free, but you do need to complete the form. Click through the options and at the end, the free order for your transfer will be complete.

It takes about 24 hours before you can see your results on your personal page at Family Tree DNA.

Y SNPs

Currently, as of January 12, 2013, you will be able to see your terminal SNP on your Haplotree and SNP tab if your terminal SNP is one that Family Tree DNA tests for in their lab.

However, if your SNP is new on the Geno 2.0 chip, then you won’t be able to see your terminal SNP on your personal page at Family Tree DNA, yet, so be sure to make note of your terminal SNP from your National Geographic results. Some Geno 2.0 results at Family Tree DNA today show an upstream SNP, and others show no SNP at all.

This is one of those good news/bad news situations. The good news is that we are functioning on the leading, sometimes bleeding edge of science and get to play a very important role, which is exciting. The bad news is that we’re bleeding a bit right now.  Family Tree DNA really can’t fix this problem until a new haplotree is in place.

The problem is that haplogroup/subgroup discoveries are being made so rapidly that the haplotree is in a bit of a state of flux….OK, a big state of flux, which will take some time to sort through.  More, many more, discoveries than ever expected continue to be made as more kits are run through the process.  Let’s just say we’re having some minor growing pains.  But what a great problem to have.  We already knew that Geno 2.0 would change the tree dramatically, but we really had no idea HOW dramatically.  Now I’m wondering if we’ll even recognize it!  What we thought was a tree was only a sprout.  And it’s still growing!

Why I do believe, why yes, I do hear….In the Valley of the Jolly, Ho, Ho. Ho…

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