I just learned about this project. And I am so happy that it exists!
But let me say that although there is no explicit language to say so, the tone and the links suggest that the project focuses on Y-DNA and mtDNA. And in my opinion, WikiTree should be taking its place as the leader in auDNA groups, and there is potentially a missed opportunity here?
Blaine Bettinger recently gave a talk “The Future of Genetic Genealogy,” and he talked about the potential for an “Ancestor Segment Database.” I have long thought that Wikitree was *the* site to make this happen, and let me be candid: my first instinct when I saw Blaine’s post was anger, since it sounds like someone is trying to put this together elsewhere. Such a database cannot have any utility unless combined with tree info through genealogical research, so WikiTree with its huge existing genealogical database combined with DNA functionality is the perfect place for this to happen.
I recently posted a question that really needs an auDNA project to progress:
https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1649157/taylor-families-early-1800s-sw-ohio
And frankly, a project at GEDmatch won’t cut it, because not enough people will upload DNA. But they will join WikiTree! The ease of entry, lack of requirement to include raw DNA data, and focus on good sourcing and documentary analysis should make WikiTree preeminent in this up-and-coming area.
There are so many things like the little project I mentioned above. If it hasn’t happened already, people will be finding and wanting to publish info about little segments they believed belonged to Jamestown Colonists, Mayflower Passengers, or more likely their grandchildren. It is often said that auDNA isn’t useful back that far, but that’s only because it is only rarely useful at that distance and it is hard to distinguish those few cases where it is from the chaff. That’s exactly what medium- or large-sized projects can provide.
I hope WikiTree can be proactive to become the go-to “Ancestor Segment Database.”