DNA testing - any advice?

Know what the results actually mean.

If, for example, the result tells you that 25% of your DNA comes from Timbuctoo (to choose a random place), it doesn't mean that 25% of your ancestors came from Timbuctoo. It means that 25% of your DNA is shared with people in Timbuctoo, who could have migrated there at some time in the past and have chosen to have their own DNA tested and are in the database.

I’ve just watched a bit about DNA tests on tv. Apparently you need to be very wary about which company, some are distinctly untrustworthy! Good luck.

Granny unless it's NHS genetic blood tests if you are worried about health problems and this would be free . I wouldn't waste your money . My son in laws parents brought him a kit one Christmas he was very disappointed as it only told him what he knew through doing his family tree as far back as 1770's.

If you want to use it for family history reasons I understand that the Ancestry test is the best one, because they have the biggest data base. You’re likely to get the most results from them.

I have done one and been in touch with a 3 rd cousin up in Dubbo. As soon as we met I could see the family likeness! We keep in touch now. We both are interested in ancestry research and we’re able to fill in a few gaps for each other on our respective family trees. We also remembered some of the same relatives from the UK. Results change from time to time - be aware of that. The more people test, the more they will find similar results in certain areas. I’m proud to say I have 20% Welsh ancestry from both sides . I knew my gt grandma was from north wales but it is good to have confirmation. Both my husband and myself have a lot of Scandinavian in us - busy boys those Vikings .

SueDonim

If you want to use it for family history reasons I understand that the Ancestry test is the best one, because they have the biggest data base. You’re likely to get the most results from them.

We have done ours with them- and got loads of contacts all over the world, as we are such a mixed family.

I had it bought as a present ( ancestry) and I didn’t really learn anything as I d don’t years of family tree I maybe could have learnt more if I d have paid to join ancestry after the test but I didn’t

That’s fun, Fleurpepper! I’ll be honest, I haven’t done much with my results but I tend to do my FH in fits and starts and I haven’t felt inclined lately. I know I’ll get back to it one day.

I think testing for FH also depends on what you want from it. If you just want to know who your G-grandparents were, there’s probably not much to be gained from it. If you want to find every last cousin, then yes, it opens up a world of possibilities.

They give you the choice if you want or not for your results to be shared with matches- and we agreed. Mine is relatively boring, but OH's is truly mind-boggling.

Have done my through Ancestry. It's very interesting and who knows you may find some surprises!

Ancestry DNA is the best. I’m amazed at connections I have including getting answers about a great uncle that emigrated over 100 years ago and was never heard from again! One thing though, it seems likely that my dear Dad was not my genetic Dad at all. I’m doing further investigations as I want to find out more although I think I might know who it was. Some of that is to get answers about some of my health issues. I’d say go for it, I’m glad I did in spite of that revelation !x

I did my via Ancestry and was surprised/bewildered that although I have Welsh Ancestors I am 24% Scottish, so far I can’t find any Scottish Ancestors though, although i can only get back to the 1600s……….🫤.

The annoying thing is that I have so many 1st and 2nd cousin potential matches, but the owners of the data don’t have a tree that I can compare mine with.
My Mum and my Grandparents were all from families of 12 siblings so I have a lot of cousins out there, they in turn might have family data that I could share and vice versa.

I would go for it, but be prepared for some potential surprises/shocks.

My children & I have done ours through Ancestry & have also uploaded the results to Gedmatch, MyHeritage & FamilyTreeDNA. Ancestry has produced the most results and I think is the easiest to use for building a family tree.

My children were curious about their paternal grandfather who was an American serviceman. Their matches on Ancestry have led to us identifying their paternal great-grandparents but we are waiting on test results of someone who is either a cousin or a half uncle in order to identify their grandfather.

I did mine so we could rule out and matches to me but Ancestry is now splitting matches by parent.

Doing mine has resulted in a shock for my maternal cousins. One of them has a daughter he didn't know about. They are now waiting on DNA results.

I did mine with Ancestry and it has been fascinating. Thousands of matches on my Mum’s side, not so many on Dad’s.

One huge surprise was a message from a woman who was listed as a close relative. After a few emails it transpired that she was my brother’s daughter who he never knew existed. Her Mum never told him she was pregnant after they went their separate ways. She died when the daughter was 13.

May I recommend this website if you’re interested in finding relatives? www.lostcousins.com/

I haven’t been connected with any cousins via the site but the newsletters are full of interesting articles and ways to further your FH as well as ‘Master classes’ on DNA tests.

We did ours through Ancestry. You do need to have a family tree on there too or be willing to answer emails from those who have tested and find that they are related to you. Lots of our DNA matches have opted to remain anonymous and I don't see the point of taking the test if you don't want to link up with family.
I too have uploaded my results to other websites and found more links that way.

I had done mine on Ancestry and found long-lost relations. It really needs others in your family to have theirs done and put a tree on Ancestry,
We have turned up people from Mali vis the Caribean and brought to England as a houseboy.
I would say beware a cousin has found that their father isn't their biological father.

I did mine with Ancestry. It revealed relations I knew about and many that I didn’t, but of course it can only match you with someone who has also taken a test with them. The information about countries and UK counties of origin was interesting and they update/refine it periodically and tell you of new matches as more people take tests.

I was very disappointed with Ancestry really, well not the organisation but the fact that so many ‘cousins’ didn’t want to engage and answer your ‘I believe you’re my second cousin are you interested in exploring the connection’ silence … happened loads of times
Prior to ancestry good old letter writing found me 2 nd third fourth cousins who engaged… one man even came over from Canada to do more research and met up and bought me a meal, the second a lovely lady from Netherlands we too had a meal out and then a man snd his wife came down from London, …..but with ancestry I ve had a lot of silence

How many of us have Zombie ancestry?
Like this interesting Thread.

I did mine, no revelations just as I thought 75% Irish 25% English.

The only really interesting thing is that I have a distant relation with whom I share my both my parents DNA.

I did listen to a brilliant podcast called The GIft, it told stories of people who did get a surprise..