If you are considering utilizing genetic genealogy testing for your family history research, an important decision is the vendor you select.  When you are reading about Genetic Genealogy and encountering new terms, it might appear overwhelming and complicated to select a vendor.  This article provides an analytical approach that can be used for vendor selection.

To help you with vendor selection, two charts for the major factors to consider when selecting a vendor are shown below.  The first chart is for selecting a vendor for Y-DNA testing, and the second chart is for selecting a vendor for mtDNA testing.  The information for the factors for Family Tree DNA is shown in each chart.  NOTE:  Family Tree DNA was selected as the vendor for the all of the Wiregrass Georgia Surname and Regional DNA Projects in late 2002 by Robert B. Noles.

It is recommended that you first review the chart, and cross off any items that are not important to you.  You can also add any criteria to the chart that is important to you.  Then, you simply fill in the chart for the vendors you are considering.

Most of the factors for selecting a genetic genealogy vendor are quantifiable, and therefore not subject to bias.  For example, the number of markers tested.  This factor does not involve a judgment;  it is a statement of fact.  On the other hand, responsiveness concerning customer service is a judgment based on experience.  You can make your own determination by contacting FTDNA and the other vendors with your questions.  The judgment for FTDNA relative to customer service listed in the charts below is based on the personal experience of Robert B. Noles with the Knowles Surname Project 

The item labeled Price is left blank for FTDNA.  You would enter either the standard pricing or the Surname Project pricing here, depending on whether you are considering a Surname Project or testing for your family tree.  Use the following link to see the pricing for all of the FTDNA tests.

The following charts can be used to evaluate vendors for Y-DNA and mtDNA testing.

The criteria in the following charts are the most important factors for selecting a vendor.  If you have any additional criteria that are important to you, simply add the criteria to the chart.   If you have any questions, you can contact FTDNA or Robert B. Noles, at:

FTDNA:  info@familytreedna.com

Robert B. Noles:  rbnoles@bellsouth.net