What is the Family Finder test, Y-DNA test, X chromosome test?  Answer:  Family Finder is an autosomal DNA test.  Autosomal means, "not gender specific"; not only female, and not only male.  All 22 chromosomes are tested, plus X, because everyone has at least one X chromosome.  The Y chromosome is a completely different and separate kind of DNA test, only males have Y-DNA.  It only tests a single chromosome, the Y chromosome.  No other chromosomes are tested.  It traces father - father - father - father, etc., back through time, for thousands of years.  

Why can't I see the DNA results of all Reynolds Project members?  Answer:   Some Reynolds Project members have chosen to make their results visible only to their DNA matches or to other project members. This choice is up to each DNA donor/participant and we support each individual's right to choose what level of privacy they are most comfortable with regarding their genetic information. Approximately half of project members have chosen to make their info visible to the public.

Why are some of my Y-DNA matches listed in black (not a blue link), nor do they have an email, TiP report, notes, or additional information listed with them? Answer: The matches that are listed in black without any additional information are members who have opted out of getting notifications of a new match; common for low resolution tests (Y12 and Y25) .

How can I participate in the Reynolds Project if I am a Reynolds female or my mother/grandmother was a Reynolds? Answer: My recommendation for you would be to identify a direct male line Reynolds-named descendant of your last Reynolds direct descendant (perhaps a brother, cousin or uncle) that is interested in doing a YDNA test. A 37 marker STR test that costs about $120 would be sufficient for placing this representative of your Reynolds line into the correct cluster within the Y-DNA project--provided that other Reynoldses of your genetic lineage have tested. Alternatively, higher resolution tests, like the Big Y500, will give you MUCH more information about your Reynolds line genetic profile. The specific test depends on what you want to learn about your Reynolds line.

Does the Reynolds Y-DNA Project accept autosomal DNA testers to join the project if they do not have a Y-DNA test?  Answer:  No, The Reynolds Y-DNA project is only for kits that have ordered or completed a Y-DNA test.  There is a Reynolds Ancestor Project on the GEDmatch website for autosomal DNA results.  You must have a GEDmatch account.  You will find the Ancestor Projects link on your home page under DNA Applications.

Why do my Y-DNA matches have many different surnames?  Answer:  There are two reasons you may have a Y-DNA match with someone with a different surname. It may be that your connection is from a time before surnames were in common use. This is especially likely for groups where surnames were often not adopted until the most recent 100 to 200 years, for example, Scandinavians and Jewish populations. Another reason for surnames not to match is that there has been a surname change in genealogical times. That could be in either your match’s or your own line.

The main place that you will see matches with many different surnames is the Y-DNA12 Marker Matches section. The time to a common ancestor for these matches may extend beyond genealogical records and the adoption of surnames.

If you continue to match others outside your surname at the Y-DNA37, Y-DNA67, and Y-DNA111 marker level, then there is likely to have been a surname change within the genealogical time-frame. Common causes for this include deliberate name changes and adoptions. For those matches at a higher number of markers (Y-DNA37, Y-DNA67, and Y-DNA111), contacting your matches is the best way to learn more.