Question of the Week: Have you taken a DNA test for genealogy?

Question

Have you taken a DNA test for genealogy? Why or why not? What did you learn from it?

Answer 1

Results came back today, I have absolutely no idea what, how, why.  Basically now that I have the results don't really know what to do with them lol.  What I do know from them is I'm European.  All too complicated for me.

Answer 2

Yes, I have tested with 23andme! I am still trying to figure things out. I do enjoy their tools to search for DNA relatives and comparing which generation we are connected.

Answer 3

Did 23andMe several years, but wasn't thinking about genealogy at the time. My son was a fairly early subscriber to 23andMe, and he wanted his parents to test, too.  23andMe is about learning about various aspects of one's DNA and inheritance. I was mostly curious about what I might find out regarding health and traits.

After my results came in, I had a very long list of DNA Relatives at 23andMe. A couple of them contacted me to share data and discuss ancestors we might have in common. I quickly realized that even though I had pretty extensive information on my ancestry, I didn't have nearly enough to figure out my possible relationships with nearly all of the people with whom I had reasonably good autosomal DNA matches, so I had to get busy with research.

I've learned that a lot of those DNA relatives of mine probably are simply other descendants of early New England settlers -- and that our DNA matches probably reflect not a single common ancestor, but rather our common descent from marriages within the small early populations of places like Watertown, Weymouth, Hingham, Roxbury, Plymouth, Bridgewater, and Ipswich, Massachusetts.  But some of my auDNA matches at the 3rd and 4th cousin level have turned out to be valuable clues that encouraged the other person and me to ask questions that helped us identify a relationship and fill in some blanks in our family trees.

My mtDNA haplogroup data so far hasn't led me anywhere, and I'm not holding my breath. And I've still not followed through Kitty's suggestion that I encourage male relatives in my father's Smith line to do yDNA tests. Because my great-grandfather documented that line rather closely (mostly based on records that had remained in family attics), I am rather sure that we have to go back about 10 generations to find another male child who might have had offspring. So I'm imagining what we would do with the data -- if we match a 9th cousin named Smith, what does that do for us? And if we don't match, there's little or no clue as to where the DNA chain was broken...

Answer 4

Yes! I've taken every possible test through FTDNA, and also an autosomal test at 23&me. I use GEDmatch.com, FTDNA projects, Anthrogenica.com, ysearch.org, mitosearch.org, ybrowse.org, Full Genomes Corp, YSeq.com, and YFull.com to analyse and better understand my test results. I have recently begun exploring WikiTree and its tools as well. DNA tests and genetic markers bring new powers of precision and validation to existing family trees. More importantly the results from these tests offer the ability to go beyond gaps, lost history, or destroyed vital records to make connections or explore ethnic and family origins.

Comments

Hi Leake,

That's an impressive list! From your experience, could you say which couple you would definitely recommend and in which order for people branching out into ancestory DNA testing?

Answer 5

Yes.  Y-DNA from a cousin to try to solve a brick wall problem.  We had enough matches to tell us we were looking in the wrong direction, which eventually led to a break through.  Had mtDNA done -- it's one of the H's, so mostly it's just on record with the hope that future generations may be able to use it.  Currently managing several autosomal DNA kits.  They were aimed at solving another problem (which they haven't), but again, they are opening up new directions for research elsewhere.  Including a couple of surprises.

Answer 6

Yes, with Ancestry.  It confirmed what my paper trail told me for ethnicity.  I have many DNA cousins that match people in my tree.  We are now working together to find our ancestors in Ireland.  I was also a big part of helping an adoptee find his birth family.  My tree goes back 10-12 generations in French Canada.  I just hope to find a connection now to Ireland.  I've joined numerous Irish groups and am getting some great tips.  I am also on GEDmatch and ftDNA.  More cousins found there.

Answer 7

I've taken the auDNA with FTDNA and 23andMe, both of which have yielded confirmation on cousin lines, some heavy clues if we could track down paper on a couple others that are brickwalled, and plenty of folks who never reply :-) I echo GEDmatch. It's wonderful resource! I just ordered two of Ancestry's tests for my Grandmother, for whom we're trying to confirm her father and his lineage (she didn't know who he might even be until several years ago) and one for my grandfather-in-law, as he was super interested in seeing what would come of it beyond the years of research he's already put in.

Next on my list are YDNA tests for my husband's Glanns and for my brother so we can start working on our Brown brickwall.

Answer 8

I would like to but, the cost is extreme, I want both Paternal and Maternal done but, it $500 and thats to much.

Comments

I would begin with getting your parents autosomal tests. They are about $99 each.  AncestryDNA has a sale just about every month for $79 each but if you test on FTDNA, you can get the paternal and maternal tests later. They save the samples.

Answer 9

I got my first yDNA test in about 2008 and it was not useful until about 2014.  Actually, it may have been less than helpful to others. This is because of a Non Paternal Event (NPE) on my fathers line.  Many relatives may have not gotten a yDNA test because they used mine.

I discovered the NPE when I tested a 2nd cousin on 23andme.  I was able to narrow down the NPE location when 3 siblings subscribed to AncestryDNA.  I was only then able to use the yDNA because I now had a different surname to match.

This is why I always recommend getting an autosomal tests to confirm a relationship of a female and a male relative when using his ydna.

Comments

Thank you so much.

Answer 10

I have done the Ancestry DNA test, and the FamilyTreeDNA Y-DNA test.  I first took the Ancestry DNA test.  It is autosomal; I took an autosomal test because it links me to family along any line or pedigree.  The pro is that it finds many more matches.  The con is that you don't know where those matches are, unless both you and the other person have trees that are relatively well filled out and proven.  If one tree or the other is not filled out far enough back, then both of you will need to look at locations where family was, and hope that you have enough info to find a good starting place for further research.

I did pay to transfer my autosomal DNA to FamilyTreeDNA.  I think that transfer was about $60.  I am glad I did it, because I've found a few cousins, the fact is that I have found many more useful connections on Ancestry.

I chose Y-DNA because one of my brick walls is along my paternal line, and I was hoping that I would match someone who has also taken the Y-DNA test.  So far, I haven't found any matches that are close enough matches to matter to my research.  Y-DNA matches only males.  Me and my brother.  My Dad and his, my grandpa and his brothers, my great grandpa and his brother, all the way back.  So, although I still haven't had any useful matches, I am glad I paid and I'm patiently awaiting useful results.

I have not yet turned in mtDNA.  Men or women can do these tests, and they trace through the mother, and the mother's mother, and HER mother, all females.  I would like to do this on my mother's maternal line, because I think I could learn something on that line.  I would like to do an mtDNA test on my Dad's paternal line because I believe that line is Native American and I might not be able to get back past my 2nd great grandmother unless I do the test.  The reason I have not yet done an mtDNA test is because of cost compared to likelihood of immediate success.  Like Y-DNA, I think an mtDNA test on my father's maternal line might take a long time to give me results.

I haven't really learned much from FamilyTreeDNA.  I have uploaded to GEDmatch, and haven't learned much there.  I have learned a lot about my family history on Ancestry, because of the convenience of the results being tied to trees.  As with any possible connection, due diligence is required to weed out sloppy trees and info that is just plain wrong.  But when it comes to genealogy in general, that comes with the territory.

Answer 11

I have taken tests with Ancestry and Genographic (3.6% Neanderthal, yay).

My mother was adopted with her twin brother in Jan 1924.  The only girl-boy twins born in Texas in Jan 1924 were to a Etta Derrick which we found in the birth index.  That was the only lead we had for the longest time.  When I received the results from my ancestry test, my first match was to a 3rd cousin that had an Etta May Derrick as a relation.  Once I added Etta and her parents to my tree, my matches to the Derrick line exploded.  I know have more connections to my mother's birth family than to my father's.

With ancestry, we are now on the way to finding the birth father because I have several 2nd cousin matches that are marriages into the Derrick or closely associated with the Derrick clan.  Though it may be difficult to get an actual name, we should be able to get the lineage.

Another success I just had this week was with the compiled ancestor profiles that Ancestry uses with their DNA circles.  One of the family's brick walls has been Phillip Spivey Parrish as we couldn't find who his parents were.  Browsing through the compiled profile, I was opening various data points and checking out the trees associated with that point.  I came across a tree that had his parents and, best of all, a source.  A will that lists Phillip and 2 other men.  One census source, I already had but had uncertainties about, lists Phillip and those same men.  A breakthrough that is still being explored but a brick wall with at least a chink in it.

Answer 12

Yes, I took the Ancestry DNA test.  I also bought one for my Dad.  We found out that we have African DNA which was a surprise as we had no idea.  Traces for Mali in my test, traces for Mali AND almost 4% Africa Southeastern Bantu for my Dad!  Awesome discovery!  But the most amazing part of taking the test, was finding a 2nd cousin of mine, that I never knew existed.  She's bi-racial and given up for adoption in the 70's.  Unfortunately, her mom passed away, but I was able to link her up with her Aunt & Uncles  and now she knows where she comes from.  Can't wait to meet her.  SO thankful for finding her!

Comments

My husband also found out he had African DNA, specifically from Senegal. I think that's pretty amazing it could pinpoint the exact country. We have no idea where it came from as his mother was adopted. I'm guessing it probably came from African slaves, since Senegal is right there on the west coast and was a prime slave pickup location for traders coming to the new world. It would be absolutely fascinating to try and track that back, but without knowing parents, just nowhere to even start. DNA has given lots of matches, but all on his father's side.

Answer 13

Yes. I tested with 23andme. While I'm happy with everything they offer, I wish I had more close matches. Most on my DNA Relatives list are distant cousins. None of us have figured out a connection or increased our family tree. I've uploaded to GEDmatch. For anyone who has done their DNA test, I strongly encourage you to upload it there. GEDmatch is based on donations (or free if you don't have extra money now). It allows comparison of all GEDmatch members from ancestry, 23andme, and FTDNA. I would be interested to know if any of you match with my family:  m192213  m192540   m141146

Answer 14

I took the AncestryDNA test. Frankly, I'm still figuring it all out. The areas of the world it showed for my ancestors wasn't surprising but the area of highest percentage was. European Jewish is incredibly difficult to trace.

Answer 15

I had 23andMe done a while back, mostly to find out genetic mutations and such.  I have connected with a few supposed cousins without finding our connections.  Recently, though, my maternal side opened up and I've been running with it ever since.  I did upload my results to GEDMatch but nothing has resulted so far, or maybe there's more I need to do.

Currently awaiting AncestryDNA results.  I confess I don't totally understand all the abbreviations being used here.  Thus far, I have been unable to convince either of my brothers to be tested.  My maternal haplogroup is H10...

Answer 16

Yes.  Ancestry.com.   Uploaded to FTDNA and Gedmatch.   I was able to identify birthmothers name, found 4 siblings and identify birthfathers family name in less than 4 months after starting the search using DNA results.

Answer 17

Yes. Ancestry DNA was done a few years ago - with a great desire to try to find my Dad's side of the family. Stumbled on Wikitree and after running in to a few walls gained new interest after learning of Gedmatch,com. Have uploaded there and here.

I'm learning....now have DNA tests sent in for my Brother (oldest male Dad's side), Mother and Uncle (her brother/oldest male Mom's side) ...can't wait for the results! In the interim - reading more, gathering my sources,etc!

Answer 18

DNA testing is an essential tool for genealogy today. About a decade ago I did the FTDNA Y-Chromosome test to 37 markers (the best there was at the time). The test results helped confirm who my biological father was (the paternity test you have when you are not having one) and pinpointed where to look to build the tree of the ancestors along that line. Later a few of us extended our test to 111 markers which gave a unique set of results that are a peg in the ground. Anyone else who returns those results we claim "belongs to us" so really narrows the search for common ancestors. Our results point to a common ancestor who was born around 1700 but we know our bloodline dates to an individual born around 1300 whose tree we know down to living descendants but as yet we haven't found our common ancestor with them.

Then I (and others on the tree) did the FTDNA Family Finder test which confirmed much of the tree we had built going back to 1700. Those test results we analyze using both GEDMatch and DNAgedcom and that process has yielded many new cousins over the years. Now there are hundreds of us working to find the ancestors we have in common and to build the tree of course. Ever six months or so I "shake the tree" again by refreshing the FTDNA files uploaded to the analytical tools. The most recent shake has produced several hundred new names to be entered on the tree (fortunately most are in a gedcom I can upload).

So yes I and more than a hundred of my "cousins" have done some genetic testing and we find it an invaluable genealogical tool. Our only major road block left is to find the link to that line that goes back to that guy born in 1300.

The next test for me to do is to have my Y-chromosome fully sequenced to find my unique mix of SNPs. Matches on SNPs are now, in some cases, close to or within genealogical time and as more people get that test done the closer to the present day we get.

Answer 19

I have my 23andMe results in and uploaded to GEDMatch, and I've already learned some interesting things by comparing to the DNA tests of WikiTree members with most recent common ancestors. Only one of the 8 candidates has shown genetic similarity. One candidate was excluded because their DNA test is not uploaded to GEDMatch and one was excluded because their DNA test is set behind private permissions and they haven't responded to my notifications.

In my family tree I know that several portions of my family tree have to be incorrect. This doesn't tell me which ancestors are incorrect, but it tells me that either my family tree or their family trees are incorrect leading up to or including our common genealogical ancestor.

What is interesting to me is that a few of the candidates showed genetic similarity to each other even though only one of them showed genetic similarity to me. The same cousin that shows similarity to me also had fragments in common with other candidates not related directly to me.

Answer 20

Yes, I have done 23&me, Ancestry DNA, and FTDna Family Finder and mtDNA.  I also got my brother to do the 23&me and currently planning to get the  Ancestry DNA for my mother and maternal uncle.   What I have been able to obtain is collaborating evidence of particular family lines.  It helps with roadblocks.