The Phillips DNA Project

The February issue of the Phillips DNA Project's newsletter has been posted on this website under the News tab.  Just click on the News tab in the blue bar above and you can choose to read the newsletter in PDF, XPS or plain text format. 

This month the newsletter contains information about FTDNA's new version of your personal page, an article on Peter Philips, an eminent English composer who lived from 1560 to 1628, and information about 119 million new, free records on Family Search, the LDS website.  We hope you enjoy reading the newsletter!

The Phillips DNA Project will once again be offering free Y-DNA tests to British men named Phillips (or any variation thereof) at WDYTYA being held at Olympia in London from February 24 to February 26.  We only ask that you provide a five generation Phillips lineage.  Please go to the stand of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists (ISOGG) if you are interested.  Here is a link to the WDYTYA website where you can buy tickets: WDYTYA

Phillips Tests in Progress at FTDNA as of 01/29/2012:

Due Date, Batch #, Kit #, Type of Test

01/23/2012, 439, 54019, Backbone test

01/27/2012, 441, 219553, Y-DNA 37

02/03/2012, 442, 220348, Y-DNA 67

02/08/2012, 444, N38121, HVR2

02/10/2012, 443, 221522, Y-DNA 37

02/17/2012, 444, 221105, Y-DNA 37

02/17/2012, 445, 208656, Y-DNA 37

02/22/2012, 445, 12069, Family Finder

02/22/2012, 445, 52083, Refine 25 to 37 markers

02/22/2012, 445, 70576, Refine 12 to 25 markers

02/29/2012, 446, 26802, MT-DNA Plus

02/29/2012, 446, 65267, SNP test

02/29/2012, 446, 207489, Refine 37 to 67 markers

03/09/2012, 446, 223116, Y-DNA 37

03/09/2012, 446, 223900, Y-DNA 37

03/16/2011, 447, 221889, Y-DNA 37

03/16/2012, 447, 225627, Y-DNA 37

03/16/2012, 447, 225797, Y-DNA 37

03/23/2011, 448, 226311, Y-DNA 37

EXPLANATION OF TESTS:

Y-DNA Test: This is a test of a man's Y chromosome and it is a male specific test. Women do not have a Y chromosome. The Y chromosome is handed down from father to son over the generations, so results of this test are used to confirm or disprove a genealogical connection on the direct paternal line. There are five different levels of yDNA tests offered by FTDNA: 12 markers, 24 markers, 37 markers, 67 markers and 111 markers.

MT-DNA Test: This is a test of mitochondrial DNA which is found in both men and women. It traces the direct maternal line without influence from other lines. Because mtDNA mutates very slowly, this test is more of an anthropological test than a genealogical test. FTDNA offers the following mtDNA tests: HVR1, HVR1 and 2, and Full Sequence (FGS) or Mega test.

Super DNA Test: This is a combination of a male specific-chromosome 67 marker test for the direct paternal line and the Full Mitochondrial Sequence (FMS) test for the direct maternal line. Results identify the ethnic and geographic origin of the maternal and paternal lines of the individual being tested.

Family Finder Test: This is a test of autosomal DNA which is found in both men and women. It is designed to trace most of your ancestral lines and it can identify relationships up to five generations back from you with confidence.

Family Finder Conversion is the conversion of the original Family Finder test to a new platform called the Illumina Omni platform. The new microarray chip tests about 710,000 unique autosomal DNA SNPs. FTDNA is changing to the new platform because it offers better potential for future upgrade options.

Backbone Test: When you take any of the yDNA or mtDNA tests at FTDNA, your results include a free haplogroup determination. Haplogroup is similar to nationality and reflects your very deep, ancient ancestry. If your yDNA test is inconclusive, FTDNA will perform a free Backbone SNP test to determine your basic haplogroup designation.

Deep Clade Test: Once you know your Y chromosome male haplogroup, you may then focus on your branch of the phylogenetic tree through subclade testing, also known as Deep Clade testing. FTDNA currently offers Deep Clade tests for Haplogroups E, G, H, I, J, N, O, and R.

SNP Test: You may also focus on your branch of the phylogenetic tree through testing for specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) which help determine your specific subclade. The L257 SNP test is one example.

Kittler Test: This is an advanced test of one double marker called DYS385a/b. By convention, the lowest value is always listed first and the highest value second. This test will allow you to see the actual order of DYS385a/b. For example, DYS385a/b is usually 14-11 in Haplogroup R1b and is usually 11-14 in Haplogroup R1a.

DYF371X Test: This is an advanced test that determines why certain individuals have a null value for DYS425, which is a fairly rare event.

DYS464X Test: This is an advanced test of DYS464, a fast-moving multi-copy DNA marker. It could be called a "quazi-SNP" test and it has value for exploring both genealogy and anthropology.

Factoids: This is a lighthearted "cocktail party" test of predisposition to certain physical traits or conditions. The list of factoids available to be tested include the following: alcohol flush reaction, avoidance of errors, back pain, bitter taste perception, caffeine metabolism, earwax type, freckling, longevity, male pattern baldness, muscle performance and nicotine dependence.