Joining the Project

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.

How to Join the Project (Step-by-Step)

If you have already tested with AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage, you don’t need to buy a new kit to join us at Family Tree DNA (FTDNA). Follow these steps:

Step 1: Download your Raw Data

Login to your current testing site and look for “Download Raw Data” in the settings:

  • Ancestry: DNA Settings → Actions → Download Raw Data.
  • 23andMe: Settings → Data Download → Download Raw Data.

Step 2: Upload to Family Tree DNA

Go to the FTDNA Autosomal Transfer Page and upload your file. This is free and will provide you with a list of matches on their platform.

Step 3: Join the Guthrie Project

Once your FTDNA account is set up:

  1. Click “Join a Project” in your dashboard.
  2. Search for “Guthrie” and select the Guthrie Project.
  3. Click “Join.”

Step 4: Grant Admin Access

To help me analyze your results and place you in the correct Guthrie Family Group & Branch:

  • On FTDNA: Ensure your privacy settings allow “Project Administrators” to view your matches.
  • On Ancestry: Go to DNA Settings → Sharing → “Add a Viewer” and invite Ann Guthrie.

💰 Project Costs & Savings

The Guthrie DNA Project is a volunteer-led effort. While the project doesn’t charge any “membership fees,” there are costs associated with the DNA tests themselves.

How to Save Money:

  1. Wait for Sales: DNA kits almost always go on sale during holidays (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Prime Day, and November/December).
  2. The Guthrie General Fund: We occasionally have donated funds available to sponsor or subsidize tests for key lineages that have not yet been represented. If you are a Guthrie male from a “missing” branch, please [Contact the Admin] to see if sponsorship is available.
  3. Free Transfers: If you’ve already tested at Ancestry or 23andMe, you can transfer your data to FTDNA for FREEto join the project. (There is a new nominal fee to unlock all genealogy report features.)

🔒 Privacy & Your Security

We take your privacy as seriously as our own. Participation in the Guthrie DNA Project is designed to be safe, transparent, and anonymous where it matters most.

  • You Control the Access: You are not required to give the Admin full administrative access to your DNA account. We only need “Limited” or “Viewer” access to help analyze matches.
  • Living People Stay Private: We never publish the names or details of living individuals. On our public charts, you are represented only by a Kit Number and a truncated lineage (e.g., John Guthrie b.1750 SCT > Robert b.1780…).
  • Independent Verification: Genealogy data you provide is used to build the master Guthrie Research Tree. If you’ve done the heavy lifting on research and want credit, let us know! Otherwise, we use generic labels like “Family Researcher.”
  • Confidentiality: Conversations between you and the Admin are strictly private unless you choose to join our group discussion boards to meet your “Genetic Cousins.” Announcements on the Guthrie Genealogy blog will also remain generic and maintain the privacy of living individuals.