Family Tree DNA offers many different DNA testing options. If you have autosomal DNA from another agency, you can upload your results to FTDNA for free. After you upload your results, you can access their Family Finder database for only $19.00. This will give you information on your autosomal matches. My preference has been to test with Ancestry and then upload results to FTDNA for autosomal DNA. This allows you to “fish in another pond” while searching for DNA matches for an insignificant fee.
Family Tree DNA is a great site for ordering Y-DNA. Remember, this gene is passed down from father to son so the donor must be a male. This tool is very helpful for determining the origin of the surname. Unfortunately, if you are like me, your surname might not be what you think it is. This might be due to a name change in the past or, as in my case, a non-paternal event.
If you plan on ordering the Y-DNA test, you will have to decide what level you want to test at. I recommend testing at the 67 level to begin with, unless you want to spend the higher amount to do the “Big-Y” test. FTDNA allows you to retest at different levels without having to resubmit a saliva sample.
When your results are in, go in and look at the various surnames associated with your DNA. In my case, O’Byrne was the common name. I joined the O’Byrne surname project (see below) and confirmed that I descend from the O’Byrne Clan out of Leinster, Ireland.
FTDNA offers many “projects.” You can submit DNA to one of the projects and your DNA is compared to other members in the project. Most surname projects track the origin of the surnames. For instance, there were many men with the last name Curtis who came to America from various places. By placing DNA in the Curtis Surname Project on FTDNA, it is possible to learn which Curtis a particular person from. These projects are not limited to surnames. They have many options to choose from such as: Ashkenazi Jews, inhabitants of various regions at various times, descendants from a particular area, etc.