New FTDNA Privacy Settings

If you have been with FTDNA for a while this message is really not for you unless you purchase a new kit.
However, a few people currently have their settings set where others cannot see things when they really would prefer others could see their information. In most cases the general public, as in someone just surfing, cannot see your data. But, most people DO want those in the FTDNA database matching them to see their information. That is the purpose of taking a DNA test in the first place.
That being said, FTDNA has implemented new procedures for setting one’s privacy. Roberta Estes in her DNA Explained Blog at
http://dna-explained.com/2015/07/27/family-tree-dna-new-privacy-settings/
has posted a blog covering the changes.
Please read her blog and use it as an excuse to review your own settings

While on this topic I would like to urge everyone to be sure your have BOTH….
1) Your Ancestral Surnames
AND
2) Your Tree

You can load your Tree either manually, one ancestor at a time OR by uploading a Gedcom.
If you have no Gedcom and you have no family tree software, you can download a copy of Legacy Family Tree. It is a pretty good software program. http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/

There are two programs:
1) the Basic Program which is totally Free and is a very good program,
OR 2) you can download their paid version that has some more Bells and Whistles.

Seems like the price is $29  or $39 if you get the Guidebook.

One of the bells in the paid version is some charting options.
When I am trying to figure out how a match and I relate or when I am searching for matches, I normally use the Ancestral Surname filter. If you have no surnames in that field your name will not come up as a potential relative.
When I find a match who has a surname I am interested in when I search Ancestral Surnames, I jump to that person’s Tree. If they have no Tree I have no idea how we might match.
It really is important to have the Tree. Let’s say you have an Ancestral Surname I am interested in. Invariably, I go to my match’s Tree and find the match’s ancestor is not in a state or country or generation in which I would have an interest. On the other hand, it might be just what I was looking for.
If you have no Ancestral Surnames I probably won’t be contacting you because I have no idea on what surname or whether you would be on my mother or my father’s side and therefore have no idea how we might match.
If you have one of my Ancestral Surnames but no Tree I may contact you only to find out our surnames/families are not the same.
The purpose, at least, in my mind is to find others related to me. I have some families I am more interested in than in others, but I am always on the lookout for more relatives and people I can exchange information with.
Oh, by the way, I hope you will subscribe to Roberta’s Blog. She does a wonderful job of informing her readers how to work with their DNA.
http://dna-explained.com
AND, hopefully you will subscribe this Blog at http://micsxchromosome.micbarnette.com
Thanks,
MIC