Thursday, November 20, 2008

MyHeritage and Family Tree DNA Partner

MyHeritage and Family Tree DNA have announced a partnership to facilitate use of both sites by genealogists and family historians - and are offering a discount on FTDNA services.

A press release was distributed this morning - you can read it at Miriam's Ancestories blog or Dick Eastman's blog (among others).

The important information is:

"FamilytreeDNA created a landing page for MyHeritage on the following link http://www.familytreedna.com/cj.aspx?ftdna_ref=392 to give your readers the MyHeritage discount- which will save them up to $60."

The tests they are offering for the reduced price include:

1) Y-DNA:25 Marker Test(Male Only) --- $129.00

This test is the world standard to verify the Y chromosome for genetic matches between males. Results are placed in our Y-DNA database and when 2 people show the same identical results, we will inform both parties if they have both signed the FTDNA Release Form. The customer receives a Certificate & report generally describing Y-DNA sequencing and the meaning of the probability between matches.

2) mtDNAPlus(Male & Female) --- $129.00

Tests the mtDNA HVR1 and HVR2 of females and the female lineage of males, and also verifies possible Native American and African ancestry. This is the mtDNA test that includes the most number of base pairs offered anywhere: 16001 to 16569 and 00001 to 00574, for a total of 1143 base pairs. Results are placed in our mtDNA database and when 2 people show the same identical polymorphism, we will inform both parties if you have both signed the FTDNA Release Form. The customer receives a report generally describing mtDNA, the meaning of polymorphism, your differences from the Cambridge Reference Sequence and the meaning of probability between matches.

Ethnic and Geographic Origins - "Eve's Daughters": This test also allows you to identify your ethnic and geographic origins, both recent and far distant, on your direct maternal line. Among other features, this test will be able to indicate your Native-American Ancestry and which of the 5 major groups that settled in the Americas you are most likely to be descended from. Or, it will point to African Ancestry or other ethnic origins, known as the branches related to "Eve's Daughters". Note that since we are testing only your maternal line, the results will not have input from any spouses along the way.

3) YDNA25+mtDNA(Male Only) --- $219.00

Y-DNA25+mtDNA puts together the power of the Y-DNA25 and mtDNA, allowing you to establish a clear picture of your direct maternal and paternal ancestry. Because it includes the Y-DNA, this test is only for males.

The normal prices for these tests are $189, so this is a decent savings for interested users.

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