Same or different test?

Question

I haven't been tested yet but both my parents have through Ancestry.  Would there be any advantages in me going with a different test or should I stick with the same one?

Answer 1

If you wish to test your MtDNA then you will have to use Family Tree DNA for that. Otherwise, no, stay with the same one.

Answer 2

Jill I think it depends on what you are trying to find out.

If you want info that covers both your Father's Side and your Mother's Side you will want to do an Autosomal test.  The downside is, it cannot tell you which side the specific data is coming from.  Iff you do one, make sure it comes with the X chromosome test because that helps you eliminate some parts of your ancestry to allow you to target in on more specific people.

Being female the only other option is an MtDNA test and it only covers your mother, her mother, her mother on back so it is limited to the maternal side of each generation.  

Hope that helps!

Also if you can download your results, you can then upload them into GedMatch and get access to a larger universe of people you might match and there are a number of different admixture views you can run.

As if you should stay with Ancestry or use another service, once again I think it depends on what you are trying to do.  Here is a comparison of the various testing companies:

http://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_testing_comparison_chart

https://www.exploringlifesmysteries.com/23andme-vs-ancestry-vs-ftdna-vs-geno-2-0/

One note, Ancestry changed how they do their test and the current version is not compatible with FTDNA upload right now.  FTDNA says they are working on it...

Comments

Laura, since Jill has tested both of her parents, she will in fact know whether a match is up her maternal or her paternal line, because the person will also match the parent.  Children don't have DNA that doesn't come from a parent.  I've tested both of my parents as well as myself.  I only tested myself to see my 'heritage'.  I use the tests of my parents to look for matches.  My parents will match people that I don't match; however, I'll never match someone that doesn't match one of my parents.  (The only time this would happen is if there was a NPE, in which case one of your parents isn't in fact your biological parent.)

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Darlene,  I am not sure I agree...  

While she would know if the match came from her Mother's or Father's side would she know if it came from her maternal or paternal Mother's side or her maternal or paternal Father's side. I did not think it did unless she also had their DNA tested.  Did I misunderstand that or is it true that autosomal, which I have read repeatedly, does not distinguish for you where the DNA actually comes from except in case of the X chromosome which at least says it is coming from a female ancestress.