DNA Ancestry Review Part 1

On October 24, 2006, the very first post I made to this blog was a review of Family Tree DNA based on my experience with the testing process and results.  Since then I've wanted to get tested again to compare results, but I've never got around to it.  After watching the 60 Minutes segment on genetic genealogy, and seeing how they created a mild controversy over testing results and expectations, I figured now was as good a time as any to try the process again and let my few readers in on my experience. Since genealogists seem to have a love-hate relationship with Ancestry.com and The Generations Network, I just had to choose their new DNA testing effort and see how they stack up against the experience I had with Family Tree DNA. 

This review will be in three parts and will probably span over the next month or so depending upon how quickly DNA Ancestry gets the kit to me, and how quickly they perform the tests.  Part 1 (this post) will focus on how Ancestry.com explains the process, educates the potential user, and the test ordering process to include the costs involved.  Part 2 will discuss the sample collection process once I receive the kit in the mail.  Part 3 will focus on the results I receive from DNA Ancestry and a comparison with my Family Tree DNA results. 

As I explored the DNA Ancestry home page I found it very well organized.  The right side bar is where I started my exploration and found the information under Overview, Paternal lineage, Maternal lineage, and FAQ links easy to navigate to find the information I was seeking.  There's also a link to the DNA Ancestry Blog, but since its so new there are not many posts yet.  Of all of the DNA testing sites I've looked at, the  explanations of the process on DNA Ancestry were the most straight forward and easy to understand.  However, because this is such a complicated subject, I still think they can "dumb it down" a bit more so a History Major like me can make better choices - most of us don't have the background of Blaine at The Genetic Genealogist so I for one need a more basic explanation of the science involved.  One good selling point is a link to an interview of Megan Smolenyak (Ancestry's Chief Family Historian) on National Public Radio  where she talks about the process and what it can mean.

What I really like about DNA Ancestry is there are only three basic choices of tests - two on the paternal side, Y-33 and Y-46; and one mtDNA test on the maternal side.  Most testing companies have so many different kinds of tests, at varying prices, it's hard to decide which one will give you the most bang for the buck.  Even though you have two choices for the paternal test, they explain why you would choose one over the other: the Y-33 test "provides the minimum number of markers needed to obtain a meaningful match between participants" and the Y-46 test is for those who "want to further narrow the span of generations for finding a common ancestor with another participant's Y-46 test."  The service recommends Y-33 which happens to cost the least. 

I chose the Y-46 test because I wanted to more accurately compare it with the results of my Y-37 test from Family Tree DNA.  For some reason I always go for the most expensive options for genealogy related stuff in hopes I get better info, but I usually find I spend too much...I'm just an easy mark for genealogy companies that have something to sell.  The Y-46 test costs $199, the Y-33 is $149 and the mtDNA test costs $179.  The ordering process is easy to go through, but you have to have your credit card handy.

This whole effort got off to a good start.  I placed the order on Oct 10, and received an email stating my testing kit shipped on Oct 11.  The site has a link called "MyDNA" where you can track everything from the shipping of the kit, to the receipt of the kit at the lab, to when the results are available.  They estimate it will take the lab about 2 weeks to process the results.  I also discovered that DNA Ancestry gives you a couple of privacy choices.  One allows you to associate your Ancestry user name with the results so others can contact you if there is a match, and the other does not associate the two, but still allows people to contact you through Ancestry's connection service.

So far so good.  Once my kit arrives in the next few days, I will post DNA Ancestry Review Part 2 and let everyone know how that process goes.   

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Comments

[Marc Matthews]

I am a Tested 37 Marker DNA Recipient with the surname of "Matthews", My bloodline has been proven to be that of William Mathews b:1643/46 and died in New Haven Ct. 1687. According to research my William Mathews was a farm manager for Governor William Leete in the 1600's. William Mathews had four sons Caleb, William, Thomas. My 7-8th generation back in time, great grandfather William Mathews had a wife by the name of Jane or Jeane, who also died in 1687 New Haven, Ct. I am a direct descendant of Caleb. I am looking for a DNA match that may be in Europe to help me identify his origins. My DNA is posted on Ancestry & Family Tree DNA.

[Tim Agazio]

Sean,

You did get a good deal for the Y-46...I paid about 100 bucks more. Good luck...I hope your test fills in some of the blanks. Thanks visiting and your comment

Tim

[SEAN]

I JUST sent my 3-DNA SWABS off this morning. The kit arrived quickly and was very easy to understand - idiot proof (good for me LOL).
I DID get a good deal from the web site, only $100 for the Y-46 test.
I have been "grinding" away on my Ancestry site for about 7 months now, filling in info on relatives, collecting old photos etc. I'm hoping this DNA test will help to fill in the puzzle even more.

[Tim Agazio]

Greg, Glad I'm not the only one who goes the expensive route. I agree with you that more is always better in DNA testing, but cost has to factor into it too. If you only have $149 to spend on DNA testing, you can only get a 12 marker test at FTDNA, and for the same amount, DNA Ancestry will sell you a 33 marker test.

When I ordered the FTDNA 37 marker test a year ago it cost me $259...I just ordered a 46 marker test from Ancestry and it cost me $199. I'm really curious to see where I got the most bang for the buck...or if I spent way to much a year ago.

I appreciate you visiting and leaving a comment!

[Greg Matthews]

I know what you mean about always going for the most expensive option in genealogy matters as I am the same way. With DNA testing more is ALWAYS better. There is no way the Ancestry 46 marker test is going to compare favorably to the FTDNA 67 marker test. They can have the best experience in the world, the best explanation for what is going to happen and what your results mean, etc. but when it all comes down to it which is better? A 4 digit zip code or a 5 digit zip code (I use zip codes as an analogy for explaining to folks the differences in the various level of y-DNA tests).

[Miriam Robbins Midkiff]

Tim, this is pretty interesting. I've been wanting to participate in DNA testing, myself. I look forward to reading more!