Choosing Your Test

The first step is to verify that you - or someone you know - is an eligible participant. All males with the Arnold surname are invited to take part in the study.

The study looks at the Y-chromosome. Because females do not have the Y-chromosome, they can only participate indirectly through a male Arnold relative (father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, etc.).

If you're unable to participate, but know someone who is, please consider one of the following options.

Let that person know about the study and this website so they can learn more and possibly participate on their own.
Sponsor a participant by paying for all or part of the cost of the test.

The second step is to decide which test to order. There are four to choose from, based on the number of markers: 12, 25, 37, or 67. Note that the validity and usefulness of the test results will increase as the number of markers is increased.

If you complete a 12-, 25-, or 37-marker test, then decide at some point that you'd like to upgrade, you can do so without resubmitting a DNA sample. This is known as a refine test, but will require you to pay an additional fee to FTDNA. For any number of markers, it's always less expensive to order them all up front, instead of initially ordering a smaller number and adding a refine test later.

The cost to each participant is listed below. Since this study has been organized as a group, we're eligible for reduced prices from Family Tree DNA.

Initial Test		Refine (Upgrade)
Y-DNA 12-marker test	$99	Y-DNA refine 12 to 25	$49
Y-DNA 25-marker test	$148	Y-DNA refine 12 to 37	$99
Y-DNA 37-marker test	$189	Y-DNA refine 12 to 67	$189
Y-DNA 67-marker test	$269	Y-DNA refine 25 to 37	$49
		Y-DNA refine 25 to 67	$148
		Y-DNA refine 37 to 67	$99
All prices are in U.S. dollars and are set by Family Tree DNA. Any price discrepancies will be resolved in favor of those provided on the FTDNA website at the time of ordering.

Once the type of test has been decided, each participant must submit the following items to the study coordinator:

Application and pedigree chart - submitted electronically from this site
Release forms - printed, signed, and mailed

The purpose of the pedigree chart is to facilitate lineage comparisons. It should therefore go back as far as possible along your Arnold line, and include as many dates and maiden names as possible.

The purpose of the release form is to allow your contact information and pedigree chart to be published on this website. If you wish to publish any or all of those items, you must print and sign the information release form, then mail it to the study coordinator. (Published pedigree charts will not contain living individuals.)

The final step in the signup process is to go to the Family Tree DNA website to order the test kit and pay the reduced fee.

Here's a summary of how to choose your test and sign up:

Verify that you or someone you know is eligible to participate.
Decide which test to request.
Submit your (1) application, (2) pedigree chart, and (3) release forms to the study coordinator.
Go to the Family Tree DNA site to order your test kit.

Next, learn about the test itself >>

Choosing Your Test - Testing - Results