My basic question for you is; Can ancestry.com DNA results be used (either through FamilyDNA or this project) in connection with patrilineal research, or do I need to obtain a new Family Tree Y-DNA test?

By way of background, many years ago I did a lot of paper based pre-digital family history research. I am sure about my patrilineal Madge line in Devon from a 1695 marriage in Zeal Monchorum through six generations via Sandford and Exeter until 1863 when my 2x greats grant parents moved up to London. (I’m moderately confident about a Madge connection back to the late 16th century in Buckland Filleigh.)

What is interesting though is the baptism in 1718 of my 5x greats grandfather, “the base child of Eleanor Madge.” No father was named in the parish register and I have been unable to find any other information (e.g. Quarter Sessions) about the putative father. So I would like to compare Y-DNA with other Madges and other Devon families.

I note that back in 2016, as part of discussion with Wilson and Pipprell Debbie said “You can do a free transfer of your AncestryDNA data to Family Tree DNA. You can find instructions here” but that “Note, however, that AncestryDNA introduced a new chip in May 2017 and there are fewer markers in common with the FTDNA chip. As a result you don't receive any of the matches at the speculative level. However, it's the closer matches that are more likely to be relevant.”

I have been to the FamilyTreeDNA link at https://www.familytreedna.com/autosomal-transfer but have not found it very helpful.

So, do I need to get a new Familytree Y-DNA test done? If so which one? (I am willing to do that if it is the best way forward.)

I am happy to upload the raw data of my existing test to Debbie. I would like to join the DNA group.