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Contact Information Tab

The information provided on this tab is used to include both information shared with your matches as well as private contact information and more. Since the name entered here will be the name displayed to genetic matches, it is important to make sure  you enter the test taker's name on this tab. We generally encourage the test taker to use their maiden name (if applicable), as this is the most genealogically useful information to matches. If you manage a kit for someone other than yourself, you can enter your own information in the kit manager's tab.

 

If you do not provide any contact information, FamilyTreeDNA will not be able to reach you or assist you in accessing your account, which may affect test processing.

Contact Information Overview 

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The Contact Information tab contains the following fields:

 

  1. Contact Information tab - Allows you to toggle between different tabs and pages within your Account Settings.
  2. First Name - (Required) First or given name of test taker. 
  3. Middle Name - Middle name of test taker. This is not required
  4. Last Name - (Required) Last name of test taker. This is the name that will appear to matches. You may want to consider adding a maiden name if the name has been legally changed. The birth surname appears on the Match Profile Card, but at a glance,  matches may find it more useful to see the birth name rather than a married or assumed name.
  5. Birth Surname - For genealogical purposes, it is important for you to include your family name (e.g., maiden name) in the birth surname field. The birth surname appears on your Match Profile Card.
  6. Prefix - Prefix for the test taker, if applicable. e.g. Miss, Mr., Dr., Rev., etc.
  7. Suffix - Prefix for the test taker, if applicable. e.g. Sr., Jr., esq., etc.
  8. Profile Picture - Upload or change the profile picture. This will appear to matches. 
  9. Shipping Address - This is the address we will mail any replacement kits if they are lost in the mail, or if an additional DNA sample is needed to continue processing your test. 
  10. Email Address(es) - (One email address required) These are the email address(es) on the account. Only the primary address will receive notifications for matches, results, and other updates. It also receives password reset emails when you request one. You may list secondary emails if you choose.
    IMPORTANT: Only the primary email will receive password reset emails.
  11. Personal Story - A brief personal story to share with matches. You may wish to enter relevant genealogical details.
  12. Test Taker's Date of Birth/Place of Birth - Date and place of test taker's birth.
  13. Test taker is deceased - If you manage a test for a deceased test taker, click this check box to acknowledge that the test taker is deceased. When the test taker is marked deceased, no additional test kits will be sent. If a test has been ordered that requires an additional DNA sample, that order should be canceled or transferred to another tester.
    • Note: If you have marked a test taker as deceased by mistake, you need to contact customer service to toggle this check box off.

Information Shared with Matches

The contact information shown with matches on the match card includes:

  • Email Address
  • Name
  • Birth Surname

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For a more detailed list of information shared with contacts, please see out Information Shared with Matches article.

Adding/Updating Contact Information

To add/update contact information:

  1. Access the Account Information page.
  2. At the top of the page, click Contact Information.
  3. Update your contact information as needed.
  4. In the lower-left corner, click Save. 

Adding/Updating Mailing Address

To add/update your mailing address:

  1. Access the Account Information page.
  2. At the top of the page, click Contact Information.
  3. Update your mailing address as needed.
  4. In the lower-left corner, click Save. 

Adding/Updating Email Address

To add/update your primary email address:

  1. Access the Account Information page.
  2. At the top of the page, click Contact Information.
  3. In the Email Address field, update the email address as needed.
  4. In the lower-left corner, click Save.

Important: If you have more than one email address entered for your information, make sure to select the check box to the left of the email address that you want to use as your primary email. 

Uploading a Profile Picture

To upload a profile picture:

  1. Access the Account Information page.
  2. At the top of the page, click Contact Information.
  3. To the right of the name fields, click the Upload button, and follow the instructions on the page.
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