The classic version of the YDNA results shows only the kit number, family name, Haplogroup, and the allele value for each STR, or marker as used by DNA genealogists, tested, whether 12, 25, 37, 67, or more markers. The colorized version, which deserves a better name, shows that information and, for each family group, also includes the minimum allele value (MIN), the maximum allele value (MAX), and the modal allele valuev for each STR or marker. Mode is merely a term used by statisticians to denote the value that is found most frequently among a set of values. It should be readily apparent that MAX, MIN, and MODE are essentially worthless for sets of fewer than four or five, that is for family groups that have very few members.

The row of values called the MODE serves the same function as what we called each family group's 'control person', that is, the person whose values appear most representative of the group. The MODE's STR values are those most likely to have been present in the family group's progenitor, or most-recent common ancestor. If a testing individual's value is different from the modal value, FTDNA has shown that value in color, and they explain the meaning of the colors in the FAQs.

Web lackey: John F. Alexander