Question

DO I need to download my DNA tests to confirm my family tree?

Answer 1

Heather,

There is a lot of help information available for DNA test matching and the confirmation of relationships with DNA. DNA confirmation does not stand alone, however. It is intended to confirm (not prove) that the genealogical relationships between matching DNA testers is correct.

How to Get started with DNA is an introduction to the process. DNA Confirmation guides you through the process of creating a DNA confirmation source statement citations. 

When you have found a DNA match the new DNA Confirmation Citation Maker can help you create DNA Confirmation source statements, prompting you for the information one piece at a time. It then assembles the citation for you, and gives instructions on how  to use it in an ancestor's profile (copy & paste!). As an added bonus, the app will also give the citations and instructions to add DNA confirmation citations to any additional relatives on WikiTree in between the matching DNA test takers. 

Happy hunting!

Answer 2

Heather,

DNA tests are not downloaded to Wikitree.  What is done is providing information about the test.  What kind of test and where the test was done.

You do not have to add DNA information just as you to not have to add your parents or grandparents.  However if you really want to take advantage of Wikitree, and find others that share your ancestors adding the information will make it much easier for everyone involved. 

In your case you have already done what needs to be done.  You show your tests as having been done at 23&Me as well as MyHeritage.  That is all that is needed.  I suggest you also add Gedmatch - it is free and will help locate cousins.

Your next step is to add you family tree to Wikitree - I think a minimum is to add ancestors back to the point that the profiles are set as open - this will make finding cousins much easier.  Once the cousins have been identified AND DNA matches have been verified at 23&Me, or MyHeritage or Gedmatch, you will be able to add a section to your profiles showing that the relationships have been confirmed with DNA.  Please take a good look at the instructions first.  

Comments

Here's an excellent article by Margaret O'Brien on who currently (and in the past) owns GEDmatch:

Who owns GEDmatch?

Hint, it's owned by Verogen and yes, Margaret has written another excellent article on the owner of Verogen as well:

Who owns Verogen?

Why am I posting all this? Because before you upload your raw DNA data to a 3rd party website you should inform yourself what will happen to your data and who's using it. Especially in the case of GEDmatch as you it will be used by Law Enforcement unless you Opt-out - yes, the default is set to Opt-in so be aware of this.

Leah Larking has written about this many times and I suggest you scroll down to the "GEDmatch and Law Enforcement" section of her last article about GEDmatch:

GEDmatch has a makeover! But it's purely cosmetic