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Q:  What is GeneTree?
A:  GeneTree is a family history sharing site created to help people everywhere understand how their personal stories belong within the framework of the greater human genetic story – by discovering their genetic heritage and identity, connecting and collaborating with living relatives, and sharing meaningful information and perspective through personal stories, photos and documents.

Q:  Why was GeneTree created?
A:  The mission of GeneTree is to help users extend their concept of family, expand their knowledge of their genetic heritage beyond the reach of written records, connect and share with others, and preserve their family histories. The vision for GeneTree emerged from the recognition that there is a longing shared by people throughout the world to belong: to experience a greater connection with their genetic and cultural identity and to be a part of a larger, closer community. GeneTree exists to meet this need. The site uses genetic testing and analysis to extend the concept of family to include many relatives users didn't know they had. GeneTree also creates a gathering place where individuals can reach across space and time to share stories, experiences and images with geographically dispersed relatives and descendants.      

Q:  Who provides the tools and resources that power GeneTree?
A:  GeneTree draws upon tools and resources contributed by several organizations, in addition to the primary contributions of the site's users. Key genetic family history information for GeneTree is provided by the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF), a non-profit organization that is building the world's foremost collection of DNA samples correlated with genealogy information, gathered from individuals in more than 170 nations. ISO-accredited lab performs DNA testing services for GeneTree.

Q:  What unique tools and resources does GeneTree introduce to the online family networking experience?  What is new and different about GeneTree?
A:  GeneTree is at the forefront of the nexus/convergence of three powerful emerging trends: new genomic information that is expanding the frontiers of human genetic understanding; the burgeoning social networking phenomenon; and the advent of powerful new online tools for creating and publishing user-generated content and sharing rich media that are reinventing the Internet experience for an ever-expanding number of users. GeneTree provides participants with an unprecedented combination of innovative tools and resources, including:

• Rich homepages for living and deceased individuals
• Family Tree Builder: interactive, searchable family trees that allow participating individuals and families to assemble and preserve detailed histories and memories   
• Control of privacy, access and collaboration settings
• High-quality DNA testing services with comprehensive results
• GeneTree DNAvigator: informative visual representations of an individual's genetic family history, through snapshots of ancestors' geographic location at various points in time

Q:  What is GeneTree's DNAvigator and what does it do?
A:  DNAvigator is an online tool that searches many thousands of mitochondrial (genetic information passed from each mothers to all her children) to find DNA signatures that match or nearly matches that of each participant. DNAvigator then links those matches to participants' maternal genetic lineages, traces lineages through time and geographic location to common ancestors, and presents the results in an intuitive visual representation. 
 

Q:  Is it true that deceased ancestors have their own homepages at GeneTree?  How does this work?
A:  Yes. All ancestors that began as nodes on family trees entered will automatically have dedicated homepages on the site, similar to the homepages of living GeneTree participants. These ancestral homepages were designed to be populated through the collaborative efforts of their living descendants – and passed on to be enjoyed by current and future generations. Descendants can upload photos, audio, stories and documents to their ancestors' homepages.

Q:  Does GeneTree offer DNA testing?
A:  Yes. GeneTree offers DNA test kits for sale on its website. All DNA testing services for GeneTree will be performed by an ISO-accredited lab certified for genetic genealogy purposes.

Q: Does GeneTree offer Y-chromosome DNA testing for paternal line ancestry?
A: Yes. GeneTree offers both mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA tests. Mitochondrial DNA, which examines genetic information passed on by mother to child, can be taken by both men and women. Y-chromosome tests examine specific genetic information passed on from father to son and are only available for men.

Q:  How long does it take to receive DNA test results?
A:  Participants will generally receive their DNA test results from GeneTree within six to twelve weeks after returning their DNA sample to the lab.

Q: What testing is done with a user's DNA sample? Can the results of DNA tests be used for medical or law enforcement purposes?
A:  GeneTree testing and analysis is performed strictly for genetic ancestry purposes. Users' DNA sent to GeneTree will never be used for medical or law enforcement purposes.

Q:  How does GeneTree help ensure users' privacy?
A:  All information on the GeneTree site is visible only to the specific living participant. Each GeneTree participant controls his or her own privacy and sharing settings. The site's sponsoring organizations possess certifications requiring the industry's most rigorous, stringent privacy standards.

Q:  What if I do not want to contact or be contacted by some of the people that GeneTree says that I have a connection to?
A:  On GeneTree, participants' privacy is safeguarded at all times. GeneTree keeps all matches anonymous and brokers all initial communication. If one participant attempts to contact another to invite conversation, the receiving party always has the option of whether to respond – and what information, if any, they choose to reveal about themselves. Participants also choose their own privacy settings on their home pages.