Do More DNA Test Markers Matter? | Genetic Genealogy Explained

Each DNA test has a certain number of markers they test. The markers between Y-DNA tests (STRs 37, 67, or 111) are different from the Autosomal DNA tests (SNPs, 500,000-1,000,000) so you can’t compare them. Depending on what types of results we are looking at, ethnicity, haplogroup, or cousin matching, more markers aren’t always better.

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[emerson]

Thank you very much for the clear info, I've been searching for answers for a while!

[TomFarrell]

With Y-DNA, I think the potential varies somewhat for each person. But, there is a point for each of us, when we come to diminishing returns. The point when a more expensive test, higher markers, a fancier name for your grouping; doesn't really tell you any more than you already know. Thank you for the video.

[Sibollewellyn]

Thanks for the explanation, great info!

[standwithcampbell]

Hello. We did a Y37 DNA test for my father however it came back with results only on the Y12 marker but with extra markers as Ive been told. Why would this be? Everyone who views his DNA is telling me it's very unique but I'm having difficulty understanding the "why". This appears to be what is causing controversy and I'm just not understanding what's so special. DSY459 9-9-9
DYS464 15-16-16-16-17-17
CDY 38-37-37

[seanmcguire]

I think I'm gonna take your advice on the ydn test. I'll get the 37. N if I need to up grade. I wish they had 67. It's a big jump in money from the 37 test to 111 test.

[joshuahayden]

A couple of questions. Should I disregard "exact matches" at the 12 marker level, if they don't match at 37 markers? Also, If I have a match at 37 markers who is a genetic distance of 2, at 67 he is 3, and at 111, he is 5, Should I consider him a close match or not? One match, who matches me at 37 and 67, falls off completely at 111 markers.

[Robloxfrog]

Hi, I took the Y37, and my predicted Haplogroup is R-M198 but my matchings on Genetic distance 1, 2, 3 and 4 a are from Haplogroup R-M512, I do not understand that, can you help me explain that, and how close is Genetic Distance 1? Thanks

[truthsofisrael]

I did a ydna test with 23andme and my paternal.haplogroup was E-CTS99, are you saying that my haplogroup can actually come out differently if i take a bigger test with ftdna?

[dawnschiller]

I'm trying to figure out where in germany my family came from. My last name is very prominent in 2 areas, central germany and again near the french border, alsace. To compound the problem, the name is also found in England and again in Norway. Will a Y-DNA test help me triangulate in on the location of my ancestry??

[seanmcguire]

I wish they still had the 67 test. Instead its 37 or 111. 111 is big bucks

[annewandering]

My son did the 37. He got no matches. Is it worth doing the 67?

[mimichalek]

When measuring the genealogical distance, is it worth lowering threshold for cMs? I may have a match with 3 larger segments, totalling in 56 cM, the largest segment being 20. But if I lower the threshold to 2 cM, the total shared cM is 340? Since I had significant cMs in the first place, can I assume the remaining lower cM segments should be taken into account when looking at the genealogical distance?