DNA testing for Alexanders

The test for Alexanders is taken by a male Alexander because it is only through males that the yDNA is passed from one generation to the next. Thus, this is only good to research your surname Alexander ancestry and not other surname ancestries.

The yDNA test enables you to compare with other Alexanders' DNA and then to locate and share research with other Alexander "cousins" of your line. If your surname is not Alexander or if you are female, you will, therefore, have to find a male Alexander who you know is related to you to take the test for you. Often the cost is shared by interested close family members.

Generally, for starting, we recommend a 37-marker test, which, if you order through the Alexander DNA Project, costs $191. You can also opt to test 12, 25 or 67 markers at lower or higher costs, but, if you are interested in breaking through a brick wall (as they say) in your known line, 37 is probably the best. We can help you with that decision by comparing your known lineage with our other testers.

The test is taken by scraping the inside of the cheek with a tiny plastic toothbrush-type affair. All communication is by email and through internet.

Here is a site where you can learn about DNA testing: a tutorial published by Family Tree DNA. An article in National Geographic on the web also has a very interesting and instructive presentation on DNA and genealogy. If you visit either, you must use the "back" button to return here because they are off-site.

To order a DNA test kit from Family Tree DNA, just click (or click the link on the left if you prefer!). It saves you a few bucks if you order through the Alexander DNA Project. To get the discounted price, you must order the kit through the Alexander project or another group's project. Of course, you must join the project group and agree to share some results (but you don't want to do the test unless you want to share the results, do you?). When the page opens, scroll to 37 markers; then enter your credit card information on the next page. Notice that they allow for two email addresses; so you might share the info/fun with another if you wish.

The next working day, FTDNA will mail you the little test kit; it probably takes a total of an hour to unpackage, understand the directions, scrape the cheek, repackage, and send it back. They even include the return postage in the kit price, and it does not require a trip to the post office. FTDNA, as well as most other test organizations, will give you a "personal page" with your own password, and they will post target completion dates so you can follow the test's progress through the system. You get notice by email of the results, and, because you order through the Alexander DNA Project, they send your results to that project. The administrators of the Alexander DNA Project will get the same notices that you do and will help in the process by corresponding with FTDNA on your behalf if necessary. The results take about 8 weeks from order until you get them. The project administrators will also help with problems that arise during or after the test, for example, an occasional result that seems inconsistent.

As more people are tested, you will get auto emails from FTDNA advising you of "matches", with a link where you can check these DNA cousins. The advantage to DNA testing is that you will be able to identify and correspond with Alexanders with similar DNA results. In this way you can team with other "family" members of whom you had no previous knowledge, and you can share information and research.

Although you may not closely match anyone when you first get your results, there are still benefits: 1. eliminating false ancestral paths may be as valuable as finding real ones; 2. you can spread the word and search for others who share your ancestry, and, as DNA test results keep increasing in number, you will have a larger and larger pool for comparison.

We are not trying to push FTDNA as the testing group; however, their laboratory results will provide the greatest benefit from comparison with others in the project because most of us have tested with them. If you have tested your Alexander YDNA at another lab, we welcome you to join us and send your results for inclusion; however, be aware that some of your tested markers have no counterpart from the FTDNA lab and vice-versa.