By agreeing to participate in this study, each participant automatically consents to the Study Coordinator having access to the results of each individual Y chromosome test. These results will be used as part of the overall analysis and interpretation of the study and will be published (in an anonymous form) on this website in due course. It is intended that the only information to be published on the website will be participant ID number (issued by coordinator), oldest known ancestor details and the Y chromosome marker values. 

The 25 Y chromosome marker values that the test returns for each individual are just 25 numerical values that, on their own, do not have a great deal of meaning. It is only when they are compared with other similar test results from people with the same surname, and where there is a possibility of a genetic connection, that they assume significance and interpretation can be made. 

If, at a later stage in the study, from the results it appears that two participants are connected and they wish to be put in touch with each other, then with their agreement the Study Coordinator may arrange this. 

Also, it may become appropriate to publish a small amount of personal information about participants during the analysis of the findings, in order to clarify or illustrate a point. In such cases the Study Coordinator will seek permission in advance.

When a test kit is received by a participant from FTDNA it will also contain a release form (see here for an example). Completion of this form is optional. Agreeing to this will permit FTDNA to provide a participant's address (email or postal) to any other person in their database who has an identical genetic match (haplotype). If this form is not signed then the FTDNA database will still permit matching of haplotypes with others in the database, but on an anonymous basis.

FTDNA will store the submitted DNA samples for a period of 25 years, although contributors may request that their samples be destroyed at any time. It is the view of the Study Coordinator that it may well be helpful to retain these samples for the foreseeable future as the sophistication and accuracy of DNA testing techniques will improve dramatically over the next few years. Retention of samples will permit re-analysis much more easily using the new techniques in the future, should it become desirable.