Comparison of DNA Testing Paths:

Path A: The Power of Y-DNA

Y-DNA is the “gold standard” for surname projects like Guthrie Genealogy. Because the Y-chromosome is passed almost entirely unchanged from father to son, it acts as a biological lighthouse.

• Break Through “Brick Walls”: If your paper trail stops in 1800, Y-DNA can prove you match a specific Guthrie group in Scotland or Ireland.
• Surname Validation: It confirms whether different Guthrie branches share a common ancestor or if the name was adopted independently.
• Ancient Origins: It identifies your “Haplogroup,” telling the story of your ancestors’ migrations thousands of years ago.

Path B: The Versatility of Autosomal DNA

Autosomal DNA (found in tests like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage) is the most popular tool for general genealogy. It looks at the DNA you inherited from all your ancestors.

• Breadth of Discovery: It allows descendants of Guthrie women (who don’t carry the Y-chromosome) to participate and contribute to the project.

• Cousin Matching: It is the best tool for finding 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins who might have the family photos or bibles you’ve been looking for.

• Tree Verification: It provides “DNA Circles” or “ThruLines” that confirm your biological link to a specific great-great-grandparent.

Which one should you choose?

• If you are a Guthrie male: Start with a Y-37 or Y-111 test at Family Tree DNA to secure your place in the project’s genetic map.
• If you are a Guthrie descendant (male or female): Start with an Autosomal test to find matches and help the project bridge gaps between branches. We recommend AncestryDNA for the size of its database, but these tests are offered by multiple companies.

DNA Test Comparison & Project Compatibility

Strategy: “The Efficient Genealogist”

If you are looking for the best “bang for your buck,” most experts (and the Guthrie project admin) recommend this specific sequence:

1. Start at Ancestry: Test here first to access the world’s largest database of cousins and historical records.
2. Upload to FTDNA: Download your “Raw Data” from Ancestry and upload it to Family Tree DNA for free. This adds you to the Guthrie Project database without paying for a second kit.
3. Invite the Admin: Send a “Viewer” invitation to the project administrator Ann Guthrie on Ancestry so she can analyze your matches directly.

Important Note for Guthrie Men

If you are a male with the Guthrie surname, only a Y-DNA test at FTDNA can confirm your specific ancestral “Group” (e.g., Group 1, Group 2, etc.). While Ancestry and 23andMe provide “haplogroups,” they are not detailed enough for the specific branch matching required by the Guthrie Project.

Still Have Questions? Contact the Admin.