Yesterday, I wrote about how to find the RootsTech vendors’ online booths.

So, guess what I found in the online FamilyTreeDNA RootsTech booth – a list of their show prices AND the associated promo codes, which means you can take advantage of these low prices even if you didn’t attend or even sign up for RootsTech.

These prices, most of which are the lowest I’ve ever seen, remain in effect through March 29^th.

Not only are new tests on sale, but so are upgrades if you’ve already taken one test and want to purchase a different type of test, or you want to upgrade an existing test.

Upgrade pricing is shown below. Now is a great time to upgrade to the Big Y if you have only taken one of the 12-111 marker tests. There’s so much more to discover, pardon the pun.

Also, the new mitochondrial tree will be released soon with approximately 5 times as many haplogroups, and you’ll want the full sequence test to benefit from that new technology.

FamilyTreeDNA gave a sneak preview of the new MitoTree at RootsTech, and it’s AMAZING – both the haplogroups that reach into a genealogical timeframe and also the new MitoDiscover tool. (MitoTree and MitoDiscover are my names – FamilyTreeDNA might select something different.) I’ll write about this soon!

Click here to order a new test or sign on and upgrade!

Finding Cousins to Test

I talk in my sessions and in blog articles about the importance of testing someone from each of your ancestral lines for both their Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA. Essentially, you don’t know what you don’t know about your ancestors, and this is the only way to find out. I wrote about constructing a DNA Pedigree Chart, here.

Both Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA tests are useful for recent genealogy as well as before the adoption of surnames. Both can confirm or even disprove an ancestral lineage, not to mention breaking through brick walls. At these prices, there’s no better time to order tests for cousins who have the proper DNA to represent those ancestors and are willing to test.

Where might you find those cousins who carry the Y-DNA or mitochondrial DNA of each of your ancestors?

• Known cousins who descend appropriately from those ancestors
• Your autosomal matches at any vendor – search matches by surname.
• ThruLines at Ancestry
• Theories of Family Relativity at MyHeritage
• WikiTree descendants of each ancestral line and people contributing to each ancestor
• Relatives at RootsTech (through the end of March only)
• FamilySearch descendants of each ancestor
• FamilyTreeDNA Projects for the surname in question
• Facebook pages for surnames or even county genealogy society pages where your ancestors lived.
• Facebook users by that surname, although if they are not involved in genealogy, they might think you are stalking them. I don’t reach out on Facebook unless I know the connection or they are in a genealogy-focused group.

Needless to say, always verify other people’s trees to be sure it’s the line of descent you need. I also test two people from each line, preferably through two separate children if possible, to make sure they match, confirming the lineage.

Anything Else?

Yes! You can upload your autosomal DNA file from either MyHeritage or Ancestry to FamilyTreeDNA for free. Uploads from 23andMe are currently paused and will resume soon.

Uploads receive free matching, shared matches and maternal/paternal side matching. Some of these features either aren’t available or require a subscription at other vendors.

Normally the one-time payment to unlock FamilyTreeDNA’s advanced tools, including the Chromosome Browser, myOrigins ethnicity, Chromosome Painter (including segment information), and Ancient Origins is $19, but right now, it’s only $9, and there’s no subscription required for anything.

This article provides DNA file upload and download instructions for each vendor.

Then, click here to get started at FamilyTreeDNA.

_____________________________________________________________

Follow DNAexplain on Facebook, here.

Share the Love!

You’re always welcome to forward articles or links to friends and share on social media.

If you haven’t already subscribed (it’s free,) you can receive an e-mail whenever I publish by clicking the “follow” button on the main blog page, here.

You Can Help Keep This Blog Free

I receive a small contribution when you click on some of the links to vendors in my articles. This does NOT increase your price but helps me keep the lights on and this informational blog free for everyone. Please click on the links in the articles or to the vendors below if you are purchasing products or DNA testing.

Thank you so much.

DNA Purchases and Free Uploads

• FamilyTreeDNA – Y, mitochondrial and autosomal DNA testing
• MyHeritage DNA – Autosomal DNA test
• MyHeritage FREE DNA file upload – Upload your DNA file from other vendors free
• AncestryDNA – Autosomal DNA test
• AncestryDNA Plus Traits
• 23andMe Ancestry – Autosomal DNA only, no Health
• 23andMe Ancestry Plus Health

Genealogy Products and Services

• MyHeritage FREE Tree Builder – Genealogy software for your computer
• MyHeritage Subscription with Free Trial
• Legacy Family Tree Webinars – Genealogy and DNA classes, subscription-based, some free
• Legacy Family Tree Software – Genealogy software for your computer
• Newspapers.com – Search newspapers for your ancestors
• NewspaperArchive – Search different newspapers for your ancestors

My Book

• DNA for Native American Genealogy – by Roberta Estes, for those ordering the e-book from anyplace, or paperback within the United States
• DNA for Native American Genealogy – for those ordering the paperback outside the US

Genealogy Books

• Genealogical.com – Lots of wonderful genealogy research books
• American Ancestors – Wonderful selection of genealogy books

Genealogy Research

• Legacy Tree Genealogists – Professional genealogy research