Calvin-

This is a specific problem with more than just this particular test
with this company. That is, getting replies >from matches is always a
major battle. I find that is a bit better with FTDNA, particularly
for y-dna tests, but its not 100%, and likely never will be. And this
isn't unique to DNA testing. Its a problem in general when using some
sort of reply system like this where people supply an email, etc. Some
reply, most don't.

Some people just get tested to humor relatives, and have no genealogical
interest. Others may only check email rarely. Still others are facing
other more serious personal problems. In an ideal world, perhaps everyone
would at least send a brief reply indicating lack of interest or lack of
knowledge, but, the effect would be the same.

Its very unlikely that someone holding the key to your genealogy, with
tons of info, is holding back and *not* replying to you.

On the bright side, you likely are just experiencing beginners bad luck!
Generally, I've gotten 25-50% reply rate, depending on the company and
the test.

With all of my thousands of matches with various tests and various
companies, I have only gotten about a dozen solid leads, including
several that had same surname, same shtetl, and some relatives with
common rare given names...but still no luck.

Steve Bloom
Central Virginia

I, too, am guilty of not replying to some emails if they fall into certain
categories. If I get a response >from a 67-marker YDNA match >from my first
cousin's sample, I will definitely reply. If I get a message >from an mTDNA
match, which is my own (and I have had only the basic test), I typically
ignore it, as I would >from someone who matches me as a 5th cousin on the
Family Finder, since there are so many. Unless they give me specific
information that matches the locality or surname, I probably wouldn't pursue
it. If it is a closer FF match and there is more specific information, I
would follow up, but that hasn't happened so far.

Even the 67-marker match has turned out to be a dead end when it gets to the
particular SNP matches. Two people in one of the SNP projects, both with
ancestors >from Belarus, did not match my cousin (my 2nd ggf was from
Lithuania, as far as I know), nor did one >from Eastern Latvia.

I decided to do the Ancestry DNA test, in the hopes that they may ultimately
have a larger database, so it will be curious to see what new information,
if any, I find >from that test.

Marion Werle
<werle@...>