Family Tree DNA Summer Sale 2011

This email has just arrived from Family Tree DNA.  The sale doesn't start for another hour, but only lasts a week...

Dear Project Administrator,
Last summer, we offered special pricing to attract new members to your projects. This was the most successful offering of its type in our company's history. Our project administrators that got behind the recruitment efforts saw their projects grow, and, thus, our database also grew. With this in mind, we'd like to offer a summer special again this year.

Y-DNA37 for $119 (Regular price would be $149)
Y-DNA67 for $199 (Regular price would be $239)

Family Finder for $199 (Regular price would be $289)
Family Finder + Y-DNA37 for $318 (Regular price would be $438)
Family Finder + mtDNAPlus for $318 (Regular Price would be $438)
mtDNA Full Sequence for $219 (Regular Price would be $299)
SuperDNA for $418 (Regular Price would be $518, includes Y-DNA67 and mtFullSequence)
Comprehensive Genome for $617 (Regular Price would be $797, includes Y-DNA67, mtFullSequence and Family Finder)
In addition, existing Family Tree DNA customers may order the Family Finder add-on for $199
The promotion will start today, Friday the 15th at 6PM CST and will end Thursday, July 21, 11:59PM CST.

Kits need to be paid for by the end of the promotion.
As always, thank you for your continued support.


Best wishes,
Emily
Email me if you need help with understanding DNA testing or have questions on what test to purchase.  You can also click on the FTDNA icon to the right to order.
 aulicino@hevanet.com

Family Tree DNA Announces DNA Heritage Transfers

Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) is now allowing customers from DNA Heritage to transfer their test results to FTDNA.  This option began when DNA Heritage (DNAH) ceased operations on April 19, 2011 and transferred their results to FTDNA. 

Please note that you can only transfer Y-DNA results from DNA Heritage as they used the Sorenson Lab who does not use the same mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) panels that FTDNA uses.

Two Options

FTDNA now allows DNAH customers to transfer their Y-DNA results with two different options.

In the first option, a customer may transfer their DNA Heritage Y-DNA46 marker test to FTDNA free of charge and would be able to join various Projects.  This conversion will have a 25 marker match.  See the FAQ below for more detail.

However, with the second option, a DNAH customer may transfer their Y-DNA46 marker test and for $39 US order FTDNA’s 37 marker test.  Since DNAH’s 46-marker test does not completely coincide with FTDNA’s 37-marker test, purchasing this test is a wise decision on many levels.  As with the first option, you can join various DNA projects, but with the purchase of the 37-marker test, you can match others in the FTDNA database.  You can then purchase any of the Family Tree DNA tests in the future.  See the FAQ below for more detail.

Given that FTDNA focuses on genealogy, has the largest database for genealogists, offers more types of tests than other companies offer, and stores your test sample (DNAH did not store it), $39 for a 37-marker test is a STEAL! Normally one would pay $149!

According to FTDNA’s FAQs, the owner or primary kit manager for a DNAH Y-DNA sample can opt-in using the following link https://www.familytreedna/landing/dna-heritage.aspx.

To request the Y-DNA37 marker test, you will have to submit a DNA sample as DNAH does not store DNA samples.  Of course, by providing a new sample you will have a stored sample for future upgrades.

To see a sample of the FTDNA webpages for individual testers see:
myFTDNA User Guide, http://www.familytreedna.com/faq/answers/36.aspx.

Project Administrators at DNAH

Project Administrators for DNAH will share a project with the FTDNA administrator, if FTDNA has an existing project.  If there is no existing project, the administrator from DNAH can establish one through FTDNA.

This is definately a plus as any administrator needs to have a co-partner to help when one is on vacation, ill, or decides to retire from the job.

To see the administrator pages at FTDNA, check the following:

Check the Group Administrator Pages (GAP) Reference FAQ, http://www.familytreedna.com/faq/answers/default.aspx?faqid=7

Group Administrator Pages (GAP) How To FAQ, http://www.familytreedna.com/faq/answers/default.aspx?faqid=20

Read More in the FAQ, http://www.familytreedna.com/faq/answers.aspx?id=40

In summary

Testers from DNA Heritage may transfer their Y-DNA results to FTDNA.

For a small fee, testers can receive the full benefits offered to all FTDNA customers, which include:
 Sample storage
 Testing upgrades
 Haplogroup predictions
 Project membership
 Availability to the largest database solely for genealogists
 Comparison to the entire database every time FTDNA adds test results to the database.
 Notification of matches via email
 Personal webpages
 No monthly fees

FTDNA and DNAH Administrators will partner if the DNA Project already exists.  If not, a new one will be created.

Emily
©Aulicino, 29 Jun 2011

Family Tree DNA Summer Sale

Family Tree DNA is repeating last summer's upgrade sale as it was such a huge success.

As testers upgrade, the resolution of results and comparisons greatly improves. So, please spread the word and we'll make this year's upgrade sale even bigger!

From June 15, 2011 through June 22, 2011, we will reduce the following prices.

Summer Upgrade Sale
Family Finder ...Was $289... Now $199
Y-DNA 12 to 25 ....Was $49.... Now $35
Y-DNA 12 to 37 ....Was $99.... Now $69
Y-DNA 12 to 67 ....Was $189.... Now $148
Y-DNA 25 to 37 ....Was $49.... Now $35
Y-DNA 25 to 67 ....Was $148.... Now $114
Y-DNA 37 to 67 ....Was $99.... Now $79
mt to FMS ....Was $269.... Now $229
mtPlus to FMS ....Was $239 ....Now $199

To order an upgrade at these special prices ...

1.  Log into your personal pages with your kit number and password.

2.  Click on the "Special Offers" link found on the left-hand navigation bar.

ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED AND PAID FOR BY MIDNIGHT, JUNE 22, 2011, TO RECEIVE THE SALE PRICE.

False Holocaust Memoir

This story has been repeated on several blogs today, but is important enough to share again as each blog has different audiences.

Forensic genealogist Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick is featured in an Australian story concerning allegations that a wartime memoir is false.

The Herald Sun story on Alex Kurzem, 75, who authored an international best-selling book ("The Mascot") describes the investigation by Fitzpatrick and her team.

She was instrumental in exposing Holocaust fakes Misha Defonseca and Herman Rosenblat some three years ago. Defonseca was forced to admit that "Surviving with Wolves" was false, and Rosenblat confessed he made up much of his "Angel at the Fence."

Kurzem has refused the newspaper's offer "to organise and pay for medical and DNA tests to help prove his identity and whether or not he is Jewish." He has refused unless he is paid $100,000 to undergo those tests.

His book allegedly describes his life as a Russian Jewish child, age 5, who survived the Holocaust by becoming the mascot of a Latvian military unit. The story was an award-winning 2004 ABC documentary and a movie about his life is being made by a French company.

According to the news story, Dr. Fitzpatrick's team also includes Melbourne Holocaust Centre senior staff and US psychologist Dr. Barry Resnick. Their files detail doubt about Kurzem, which has sparked three investigations by the Jewish Claims Conference, the German government compensation and pension department and the US Attorney's office.

Kurzem claims he watched his Jewish mother and siblings executed by the Nazis.

Read the complete story at the link above.

Family Tree DNA takes over DNAHeritage

DNAHeritage is GONE!


The following message from this URL just crossed my desk and is directly quoted below:

http://www.dnaheritage.com/default.asp


As of April 19 2011, DNA Heritage has ceased its operations and is in the process of transferring the domains DNAHeritage.com and Ybase.org to Family Tree DNA.

All the tests in progress will be processed by our current lab and the results will be delivered to our customers.

In order to ensure the continuity of the existing surname projects Family Tree DNA will study the best options to integrate our customers' results into their database.

Once Family Tree DNA decides on the option(s), our customers will be given the opportunity to opt-in to their database.



If you have questions about the transition or

need to place an order please check:

http://www.familytreedna.com/landing/dna-heritage.aspx

Family Tree DNA 36-Hour Sale for DNA Day

National DNA Day, April 15, 2011 commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the Double Helix in 1953 by Watson and Crick.

In honor of DNA Day, April 15th, Family Tree DNA just announced on Facebook their latest sale!


This is only posted on Facebook and you need the code to get the sale prices:

Coupon Code: DNADAY2011
Share: Public Event

Starting noon today this sale will last only 36 hours, so order now!


The following tests and prices are currently available:

Y-DNA12 marker Test for $59 (Reg. $99 via a project*)

mtDNA (HVR1) $59

Y-DNA37 marker Test for $129 (Reg. $149 via a project*; $169 without a project)

Family Finder Test for $199 (Reg. $289)

Family Finder Test plus a Y-DNA 12 marker for $258 (Reg. $299)

Family Finder Test plus mtDNA for $258

Family Finder plus mtFull Sequence plus Y-DNA 67 for $657

*If there is no project for your surname, put GFO in the search box and join there for a project price. I am the administrator and can continue to help you. You may join any relevant project later without further cost. Click on the FTDNA icon on this page (lower right) to order or go to the Family Tree DNA website.

For those new to DNA testing for genealogy, check this blog's archives for more details.

For this sale, I would highly recommend both the Y-DNA37 marker test and the Family Finder Test. These are two of my favorite tests.

The Y-DNA37 Test gives you matches along the top line of a pedigree chart, essentially, the all male line. Only males can take this test so women have to find a male for the surname they wish to test. As the Y-chromosome is passed from father to son virtually unchanged since mankind began, you can find matches going back many, many generations in your genealogy. A 37-marker test gives you matches within a genealogical time frame.

The Family Finder Test gives you a lot for your money. Both males and females can take this autosomal test and match each other. This test provides matches anywhere on your pedigree chart for six generations. You may think you know all your living cousins, but this test will give you more! Join together to continue researching your lineage.

The beauty of Family Tree DNA, besides their excellent customer service and being the oldest company and largest database for genealogy, is that when you test you get your own personal webpages and your test results is compared against the entire database. This means that every week when new results arrive, you have the opportunity to find more genealogical cousins. You receive their name and their email so you can write quickly and begin comparing information to find your common ancestor.

If you are a Facebook member, join the Family Tree DNA Group.

I also urge you to join the International Society of Genetic Genealogists. Check their website for DNA Success Stories, Famous DNA, and explore the ISOGG Wiki to find answers to many of your questions. You can also join the Newbie Email list and ask any question there (no question is too basic) and receive replies from experienced project administrators. If you manage a DNA project, join the Admin Email List.

Order your test today. I'm anxious to see if we are cousins!
Emily
15 Apr 2011

Family Tree DNA Y-DNA 111 Markers

Greetings!

This announcement just arrived from Family Tree DNA

Dear Group Administrator,

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Y-DNA111 test! This test includes a panel of 111 Y chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers.* With 44 additional markers, Y-DNA111 is the highest resolution Y-DNA test offered by any company in the world.

The Y-DNA111 test is recommended for customers who already have close matches at the 67 marker level and are looking to tighten the calculation for the time to Most Recent Common Ancestor (tMRCA). ** Due to the specialized nature of this test and in order to evaluate the potential benefit of this type of upgrade, we ask that customers with Y-DNA12, 25, or 37 results upgrade to 67 markers first before considering the 111 marker test.

With that in mind, this new test is now available as an upgrade for customers with existing Y-DNA67 results and also as a standalone test for individuals looking to prove a close relationship on the direct paternal line:

Y Refine 67 to 111 (Upgrade) $101
Y-DNA111 $339

View our FAQ section to learn more about this new test.

Thank you,
Family Tree DNA

*This figure is based on the typical number of allele values we see for multi-copy markers. The number of allele values we observe and report for these markers may vary.
**Please note, both test-takers must have the 111 marker test to be compared at this level.