Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for your wealth of experience on this subject! I knew
someone would help me!
Another question - since my dad is ready and willing to do this, would
you say the 37 indicator test is well worth $40 more than the 25
indicator test? ($189 versus $148)
In general, I would say yes, go for 37, although you can always
upgrade later (at slightly greater cost). I would not however
recommend ordering the whole 67 markers at the outset. See what your
results are at 37, and then go to 67 only if it looks as though this
will answer specific questions about relationships.
For the Holder project, we've found that 25 markers is enough to
assign donors to one of the major groups of Holder families, but to
figure out relationships within the biggest of those major groups, we
really need 37. There are several very useful markers in the
additional set from 26 to 37 that help sort out relationships over
the past couple of hundred years.
However, before making this decision you might want to look at the
results already in for your surname. From your previous post I'm
assuming this is WOOD? If so, then I would say definitely start with
37; I just checked that project page and there are already many
people who have tested at that level, and you may need this
resolution especially if you fall into the R1b1 group, the most
common basic type in the British Isles.
Before ordering, you might want to check with the project
administrator. Family Tree DNA is currently offering a couple of
discount coupons to every surname project group. These need to be
claimed by the end of December, but to get them you have to follow a
couple of specific steps in the way you place the order. Ask the
administrator if the discounts for your project have already been
taken, and if not, to tell you how to set up your order so that you
get one.
--
Elizabeth Harris
ncgen(a)mindspring.com
Personal genealogy webpage:
http://www.duke.edu/web/chlamy
Winston-Salem NC area genealogy:
http://www.fmoran.com/
HOLDER DNA project:
http://www.mindspring.com/~holderdna/