DNA Project notes
GKBopp
Revised 14 June 2006

Your National Geographic Genographic Project DNA Test
& the
Lenhart & Variations DNA Surname Project

Welcome
Difference Between the Genographic Project and Surname Studies
Ancestry Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Matches With Other Surnames
Project Results
Contact us

Welcome to the Lenhart & Variations DNA Surname project. When you added your National Geographic Genographic Project DNA results to the database at FTDNA (Family Tree DNA - the company that processed your DNA test for the Genographic Project) they notified our project. I am a volunteer and do not work for FTDNA. There is no charge to be in our project although we do accept donations to our DNA scholarship fund. The FTDNA database and associated surname studies are not part of the Genographic Project. That is why you have one code number to access the Genographic site (that is private and the project administrator does not have that code) and a different set of codes for your "personal pages" at the FTDNA database.

As you know, the Genographic Project is collecting samples worldwide to further knowledge of the ancient (or "deep") ancestry of mankind. At their site, you now have information about your haplogroup - the ancient ancestry of your direct male line going back many thousands of years, long before surnames were in existence. The Genographic Project is interested in anthropology. Our primary interest is in genealogy. Surname studies are pioneering the use of DNA in combination with traditional genealogical research to trace ancestry over the past few hundred years. Surname projects are organized to make it easy to share DNA results for genealogical purposes. Thus, our surname project is interested in both your genealogy and your Y-DNA haplotype - the 12 DYS numbers in your test results - those numbers are not unique to you (do not confuse them with the DNA results used in forensics).

The next step is to obtain information about your direct lineage to your earliest known Lenhart (or variation) ancestor. This will be included in our DNA surname database; the privacy of living persons will be protected. If you are new to genealogy, let us know (and check out these TIPS). Some of our researchers may be able to help you. Some participants begin with extensive information while others only have information back to their grandparents. Ancestry information for our project members is at this link:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gkbopp/LENHART/DNA/ancestry.htm

Below is a link to Frequently Asked Questions about the project. When you read this, keep in mind that as a result of your participation in the Genographic Project you already have paid for and received the results of the "12 marker test."
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gkbopp/DNA/DNA_FAQ.htm

Check your Y-DNA matches on your personal page at FTDNA. If you have many matches with surnames other than yours, you have a "common" haplotype. At best, these matches mean you all shared a common ancestor thousands of years ago before there were surnames. These matches are not relevant to your contemporary genealogy. If this is your situation, you may wish to modify your "Personal Preferences" page at FTDNA to restrict the display of matches to the surname project. This will make your match list more meaningful, prevent automatic email notices for matches with different surnames, and remove your name and email from their personal pages. More information about "common" haplotypes is at this link:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gkbopp/DNA/CommonHaplotypes.htm

After you read the FAQ's, check out our results page and don't be concerned if it does not make a lot of sense to you at this time: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gkbopp/LENHART/DNA/results.htm

At some point, especially if you have a "common" haplotype, you may decide to order an "upgrade" for additional markers (more DYS numbers).

You may notice that your "numbers" at FTDNA for markers 389-1 and 389-2 differ from those at the Genographic site. There are two reporting conventions for these markers. One reports 389-2 as the sum of 389-1 and 389-2 (used by FTDNA) and the other (used by Genographic) displays the data without the addition. When the Genographic information was submitted to FTDNA, the results were automatically converted. (389-1 and 389-2 are also known as 389i and 389ii).

Also, please visit the "Welcome" page written for participants who joined the project directly (not through Genographic). Some things there will not apply (e.g., how to take the test) but other information will be useful to you (Y bases, discussion lists, etc.).
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gkbopp/DNA/LINKS_Lenhart%20and%20Variations.htm

For most people, the learning curve on this subject seems pretty steep. Always feel free to ask questions.

Georgia Kinney Bopp, Administrator
Robert R. Lenhart, Co-Administrator

DNA Project notes
GKBopp

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