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test, 23andme, FTDNA, AncestryDNA, myHeritage December 1, 2018 (updated 7/14/2019) Choosing a DNA Test If you’re new to DNA
testing, it can be confusing to understand the variety of tests offered, the
different companies in the DNA business, and what each test offers. While
everyone’s opinions vary, knowing certain facts about the different tests
will make the decision easier. I did my first DNA test in
2004, and I now manage tests for over 30 friends and family members. Those
tests are scattered among each of the four major testing companies: Family
Tree DNA, AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage. All four companies offer
some of the same information. They
each provide an estimate on how much of your ancestry is from different
regions around the world. They also
provide you with a list of your DNA relatives. That is, of the thousands of
people around the world who have also taken a DNA test, you get to see a list
of who is related to you. This can be really exciting, and it’s the primary
reason people take a DNA test for genealogy.
You have the option to contact each match and then share information. After all, a single DNA test is
useless. It’s only when we compare
them that we begin to get the full story of what our own DNA can tell us. These autosomal DNA tests
usually match people who are related within 6 generations, and sometimes even
farther back. The pieces of DNA that are passed from one generation to the
next are random, and so the amount you share with 3rd, 4th, or 5th cousins is
also random. That means you might show up as a DNA match to one 4th cousins,
but not to another. I’ve read that 50%
of 4th cousins will show up as a match.
99% of 2nd cousins will match, and 90% of 3rd cousins will. Deciding which test to take
depends on what you want to accomplish. For adoptees or other people who are
looking for answers to specific questions, the best bet is to have your DNA
at each of these companies. You never know which one that close cousin might
have used, and if your test isn’t there, you’ll never know it. While the four major
companies offer much of the same type of information, each one has some
differences. Family Tree
DNA (FTDNA) is the company I use for all my DNA testing. They call their autosomal DNA test the Family
Finder test, and last month it was on sale for $39, the lowest price ever for
a DNA test. Their website is relatively simple to use, and they provide all
the information needed to investigate the stories hidden within the DNA
results. FTDNA offers a chromosome browser that is essential to fully
understanding your results. The list of DNA matches tells you THAT you’re
related to those people, but the chromosome browser allows you to determine
HOW your’e related to them. FTDNA also offers a yDNA
test for men who want to determine their patrilineal line, or the line of his
father’s father’s father’s father, etc. One cheek swab can be used for both
the Family Finder test and the yDNA test. AncestryDNA also offers autosomal DNA
testing. Their biggest advantage is that they have a larger database of test
takers. More people have tested with them than with any of the other
companies, and that means you’re more likely to have a close match with them.
However, AncestryDNA is the only company that does not offer a chromosome
browser. That means even if you have some interesting close matches, your
AncestryDNA results are not going to tell you whether that person is on your
father or mother’s side. AncestryDNA tells you THAT you’re related to someone
but does not provide enough information to explain HOW you’re related to
them. Another criticism of AncestryDNA is that they require a subscription to
have full access to features on the site. If you don’t have a subscription to
access their historical records, you’re limited in how you can use the
site. AncestryDNA is my lowest rated DNA test among the Big 4. 23andMe is another company that many
people have heard in commercials and advertisements. They offer the autosomal
test as well as some health related information. Their website is somewhat awkward, but they’ve made
improvements. Imporantly, they do
offer the chromosome browser, and they test the X chromosome. The cost of the
DNA test is usually more expensive than that offered by FTDNA and
AncestryDNA. I’ve only recently begun to
use MyHeritage, and they have
potential. However, the website is
cluttered and difficult to navigate. They are subscription based, and since I
don’t have a subscription, I often click on links that turn into dead ends.
It’s frustrating to get excited about a new match, then find out you can’t
learn more until you pay for a subscription.
They also limit the size of the family tree you can upload which seems
somewhat counterproductive. They don’t
test the X chromosome. But at least
they have a chromosome browser. There is a fifth site that I
need to mention, and that is gedmatch.com.
It’s free!! At gedmatch, you can upload your DNA test from any of these four
companies and compare to anyone else who has done the same. So if you tested
at FTDNA and someone else tested at 23andme, you can see if you’re a match
even though you tested with different companies. They offer many tools that
make it easy to see which tests match each other and how. Comparing DNA tests
is an important step toward breaking through those genealogy brick walls. Everyone
should upload to gedmatch for free! In summary: · If you take one DNA test, take the Family Finder
test at Family Tree DNA. · If you want to take additional tests to find more
cousins, add 23andme and/or myHeritage. · If you want to fish in the bigger DNA pond and are
content with getting limited information about your match, test with AncestryDNA. · When you get your results back from any of those
companies, upload them to gedmatch for free. This is only skimming the
surface of DNA testing. There’s a great blog by Roberta Estes called
DNAeXplained (https://dna-explained.com/) that goes into much more depth
about any DNA topic you can imagine. I’ve learned a lot from what she’s written,
and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about how to use
DNA to uncover secrets about your family history. Comments? jason@webjmd.com |