Geneva Gervais, The mtDNA Plus test tests the HyperVariable Region of the D-Loop. The Full Genomic Sequence for Full Sequence Test tests the complete mtDNA. All 100% of it. Not just the D-loop. It will bring you closer in time, but unless you have a rare mutation, you'll still be looking at matches from a couple of thousand of years ago.
The vast majority of the people in the FTDNA database are indeed alive. You will see a few matches with "deceased" noted after their name. Hopefully, someone else is handling their DNA. It is very important to fill out the beneficiary information on the personal FTDNA page. If you can think of someone, that is great, but please, please also add in "Or any FTDNA Admin" so 100 years from now, someone can do something with your DNA based on the technology of that time. About 10 days ago, I made a new topic/thread about the 3 types of DNA testing (that's the name of the thread too). Here it is again: =================================== Once upon a time, there were only 2 types of DNA testing: Y-DNA and mtDNA. We talked about these tests from 2000 to about 2010. It was all that was available back then. Y-DNA tested a MAN's strict paternal line: His father's father's father's line, or top of the pedigree. If you were a female, you had to hunt a male relative down to do a DNA test for that line. Also available was mtDNA: this is anyone's mother's mother's mother's line, or the bottom of the pedigree. Most of the information from an mtDNA test is more anthropological in nature than genealogical (anthropological = like anthropology - deep roots, out of Africa theory, think the Flintstones for those familiar with that cartoon series). I guess the DNA community did a real good job of getting Y-DNA and mtDNA into everyone's heads. So in 2010, a new type of DNA testing was available. Autosomal DNA testing. Family Tree DNA marketed this test as Family Finder (FF). It's a completely different type of test. Family Finder (FF) covers ALL the lines of the testee (whether a man or a woman takes the test) back about 200 years. I was born in the 1960s. I should see results going back to about the 1760s. I should find matches that are Portuguese from my dad's half, matches from my dad's British Isles half, and matches from my mom's Ozarks lineage. I'm seeing my ENTIRE tree. But since I still have access to my parents, I tested them. They are born in the 1930s, so I should see matches on ALL their lines back to about the 1730s. I have identified one on my mom back to 1760. I've identified a couple of my dad that go back far - one to 1696, but that's an intermarried line, so the DNA did not get diluted. Those are the 3 types of DNA testing for genealogists on the market. Which one should you chose? That depends on your goal. A Y-DNA or mtDNA gives a restricted, narrow focus: One line only. Family Finder (FF) gives a broad overview of ALL your lines. It's presented to you as a plate of spaghetti and you have to untangle all the lines. Posting your Gedcom is necessary so you can see your matches' trees and your matches can see your tree. Cheri Mello Listowner, Azores-Gen Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/azores.
