These are frequently asked questions that we receive at SMGF. Click on a question of interest to see our response. You may also click Show All Answers or Hide All Answers.

1. What is SMGF?

Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to advancing the field of genetic genealogy. Thanks to contributions from more than 100,000 volunteers, we have created a large searchable database of DNA sequences linked to the corresponding genealogy. We are making the collection available online to the public to help in finding new family connections and extending one's genealogy. We also work with other scientists and research institutions to research human history and publish scientific papers, and we have teamed up with other organizations with similar goals to make available genetic-genealogy tools and applications.

2. What will SMGF do with my DNA sample and genealogy information?

An independent lab will process your sample. We will then add your DNA sequence and family tree (of ancestors born before 1906) to the Sorenson Database on this website. Your genetic and genealogy information is stored at SMGF in a secure database, and your DNA sample is identified only by a code number and kept in secure storage. The lab keeps no personal information on the sample provider.

3. How do I benefit from participating in the SMGF Project?

Donating a DNA sample and pedigree chart to the SMGF Project adds to our collection of DNA and genealogies from around the world. The information from these samples is used to build and refine our online database, to study human genetic history, and to develop tools to search for ancestors using DNA.

4. Will I receive my DNA results from SMGF?

Due to the nature of our project, you will not receive your DNA results directly back from SMGF. Your DNA results and genealogy will be added to the Sorenson database, and you can find them by searching for your surname or your DNA sequence and looking at related family trees.

Past participants of SMGF can purchase their SMGF DNA test results through GeneTree by creating a free account on www.genetree.com and placing an order to "unlock" their DNA profile(s).

If you participated in the SMGF project by ordering a test through GeneTree, you will receive your results through that company.

5. When will my results appear in the Sorenson Database?

If you submitted your sample using a free SMGF kit, please be aware that it is difficult to predict the time it will take for your DNA to be tested and the results added to the Sorenson Database. The rate at which these donated samples are tested depends on our resources. Also, we do not always process samples in the order they were received, but rather according to research needs.

If you donated your sample to us through a DNA test order through GeneTree, your results will be added to the Sorenson Database at the next possible opportunity.

6. How do I search the SMGF database?

Simply go to our Search page and enter your surname of interest. You may also choose to enter known DNA test results or to use default DNA values. See the Help section of the Search page for more information.

7. What do the search results mean?

The Results of your search will show the values for all participants that match your search criteria. In general, a higher match (e.g. 35/36 instead of 34/36) means a closer genealogical connection. We also provide links to pedigree charts and the Time to Most Common Ancestor (TMRCA) for closely matching results. The TMRCA and Results pages show further information to help with interpretation.

8. How do I determine the DNA marker values of close matches?

Due to privacy concerns, we cannot display non-matching results directly. However, you can determine the values of non-matching markers by changing the input values for the markers in question, and then looking at the results until you see a closer match.

9. Why has SMGF chosen the current set of Y-chromosome markers?

The SMGF Y-chromosome markers represent a set of stable markers with reasonable mutation rates and enough genetic variability to be useful for genealogical purposes. Note that we do not include some markers used by other testing companies, but there is a large enough overlap that comparisons with other companies can easily be made.

10. How do I contact other participants in the SMGF Project?

To protect privacy, SMGF does not reveal any personal information of our participants, or the names of any ancestors born after 1906. If you search the SMGF database through your free account on GeneTree.com, you will have the ability to contact your matches by sending them an email through the GeneTree site. You may also find references to ancestors in SMGF pedigree charts on message boards and in collections of family trees. Please see the Links page for possible sources of matching information.

11. May I submit a test report from a commercial testing lab to SMGF?

SMGF samples are tested for Y-chromosome, mtDNA, and autosomal markers. No other lab tests this broad a range of markers, so results from other labs would be considered incomplete in the SMGF database. Consequently, we accept donations of samples through our affiliate,GeneTree, but we cannot accept test reports. However, we still invite you to search the SMGF database for genetic matches.

12. What is the difference between searching the Sorenson Database and joining the SMGF project?

Anyone may search the Sorenson Database by surname and/or DNA results. If you or someone in your family has been tested by a commercial lab, you may enter those result values into the boxes on the Search page. Even if you have not been tested, you can search for individuals in our database whose genealogy includes your surname of interest.

Joining the SMGF project involves submitting a DNA sample and pedigree chart to us when your order a DNA test through our affiliate, GeneTree. The DNA and genealogy information will become part of our research and be posted in our online database.

13. I am a participant in the National Geographic Genographic project. Should I still join the SMGF project?

The Genographic project addresses the genetic history of humankind. The SMGF project addresses the genetic history of your family. The two projects complement each other well, and we encourage Genographic project members to become part of the SMGF project by ordering a DNA test from our affiliate, GeneTree.com.

14. Is SMGF affiliated with any religious organization or governmental agency?

Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation is a private non-profit organization that is not affiliated with religious organizations or government agencies. The goal of the project is to help people make new family connections through the application of molecular genealogy.

15. Why has my pedigree chart been changed?

The purpose of the SMGF database is to help people find links to the past using genetic signatures and genealogical records. In order to do this, the charts that we receive from participants are extended, using records available online, to include ancestors beyond those of the first few generations which are typically provided to us. Once a pedigree has been extended, SMGF genealogists check for obvious problems, such as parents being born after their children. During this process, if there is a question as to the correctness of data that cannot be resolved using records and resources available online, the questionable information is removed to avoid including lines that may be unreliable. The purpose of this is to ensure the genealogical information contained in the SMGF database is a true reflection of the biological ancestors of the participant and thereby correctly linked to the genetic signature of the participant.

As we extend charts that are provided to us, our database becomes even more valuable for those who use it for genealogical purposes. If you have additional generations that you would like to share, or corrections to information you find in our database from your own research, please send them to qwerty along with where and when you participated.

16. Why has the number of unique surnames apparently decreased after the latest website release?

The number appears to have decreased due to clean up and consolidation of the database. For example, ST JOHNS and ST. JOHNS were previously counted as separate surnames and are now counted as one.

17. Why has the number of matches to my surname apparently gone down after the latest website release?

Please check the "Incomplete Data" and "All Paternal-line Surnames" checkboxes under the Results Display option to see the full number of matches for a given surname. For instance, the surname "Jones" may have 56 entries without the checkboxes checked, and 75 entries with the checkboxes checked.

18. What is an Ancestral File Number (AFN)?

AFN references that appear in some pedigrees are hyperlinks to Ancestral File Numbers on http://www.familysearch.org that extend a lineage further back in time.

Familysearch.org does not permit transcription of AFN records, though our genealogists review their accuracy before linking to them. Note that details in Ancestral File entries may show minor variations from pedigrees submitted to SMGF due to reliance on different primary sources.

Please see www.familysearch.org for further information on Ancestral File records.

Note also that the links provided from the SMGF website to Ancestral File at FamilySearch.org do not constitute or imply endorsement of SMGF website or its activities by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

If you have a question not listed above, please contact us and we will try to respond as quickly as possible.