In a recent blog post (https://blog.familytreedna.com/2019-review-of-big-y/), FTDNA touted the success of their Big Y-700 test by summarizing the results. Big Y-700 is a NGS test that identifies high quality Y-SNPs, which results in building out the Block Tree (a graphical representation combining Y-SNP mutations from ancient times to the present together with membership groupings who share those SNPs).
According to the blog, the test in 2019 resulted in:
- 38% increase in haplotree branches (haplogroups to which you can be assigned)
- 63% increase in haplotree variants (the building blocks of the tree)
- Over 211K new previously undiscovered high quality Big Y-700 FT SNPs
The PSHG contributed to the data with 4 Full Members and 4 Associate Members ordering tests. Thanks to the test results, we have identified our fourth Y-SNP unique to the PSHG Full Members, a new Haplogroup for an Associate Member Branch, and several Private Variant or Direct Paternal Lineage SNPs.
Coming off the success of the new product, FTNDA announced that the 2019 Holiday pricing was becoming the new regular prices.
It is not yet clear whether these regular prices will get slashed again during their normal sales periods, historically:
National DNA Day in April
Father’s Day in June
Summer in August/September
Thanksgiving in November
Holiday in December
If you are a PSHG Full Member who has taken Y-111, the $239 price upgrade to Big Y cannot be beat. One way FTDNA was able to reduce the price was to make the data-packed raw file sold separately. Contact an Admin if you’re interested in joining the Big Y wave in 2020.
Peter Staple Heritage Group (PSHG) 