Y-Chromosome Markers Measured by Different Labs

Deane Merrill, dwmerrill@charter.net
revised February 2010

Different Y-Chromosome markers are measured for different purposes.

SNP's (single-nucleotide polymorphisms)

SNP's change very slowly from one generation to the next.  They are useful for studying migrations of populations over tens of thousands of years.

STR's (short tandem repeats)

STR's change more quickly from one generation to the next.  They are useful for studying differences between families, where the most recent common ancestor of a family lived (typically) hundreds of years ago.

Three different laboratories offer comparable tests of Y-chromosome STR's, at prices between $149 and $179.

1. Family Tree DNA (FTDNA)  $149 37-marker test

To qualify for the $149 price, one must join a surname group when placing an order.  To join the FTDNA Merrill/Merrell surname group, contact Dave Merrell, dwmerrell@yahoo.com.

Persons testing with FTDNA can request additional tests later at low cost.

Four of the five $149 FTDNA (37) markers (570, 576, CDYa and CDYb) change quickly and can be used to distinguish recent ancestral lines.
See John F. Chandler, "Estimating Per-Locus Mutation Rates", Journal of Genetic Genealogy 2:27-33, 2006, Chandler.pdf.

2. DNA Heritage (DNAH) $149 43-marker test     

To qualify for the $149 price, one must join a surname group when placing an order.  To join the DNAH Merrill/Merrell surname group, contact Gary Merrill, ozobryum@comcast.net.

3. Ancestry.com $179 46-marker test

The three  Ancestry markers 19b, 464e and 464f occur only rarely.  For all practical purposes $179 Ancestry (46) and $149 DNAH (43) are equivalent.

4. Ancestry.com $149 33-marker test

Comparison of $179 Ancestry (46), $149 FTDNA (37) and $149 DNAH (43) tests

Comparison of $149 Ancestry (33), $149 FTDNA (37) and $149 DNAH (43) tests

Back to Y-Chromosome DNA Genealogy

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