Question

What is a DNA test on Wikitree? Do I have to give blood and send the results off somewhere?

Answer 1

Wikitree does not do DNA tests, but you can register information about a test you have taken elsewhere. To take a DNA test for genealogical purposes you do not need to give blood. You either provide a spit sample or swab the inside of your cheek. The major companies offering tests are AncestryDNA, FTDNA, 23andme, MyHeritage and LivingDNA.

Comments

Personally, I would go with either My Heritage or Family Tree DNA - as they both use the Cheek swabs for testing. I think Living DNA (from the UK) may also be a cheek swab test as well.

Ancestry and 23/me both make you spit into a funnel & tube and it looks so gross if its done on camera.

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AncestryDNA have by far the biggest database. Neither technique is particularly elegant if you watch it. Although I have tested myself at several companies all of the recent kits I have bought have been Ancestry. I have then been able to upload the results to most of the other companies.

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The Ancestry database is the biggest for those who families have lived in the USA for several hundred years.

For those of us who do NOT come from the USA - FT DNA and My Heritage have the much better world wide coverage.

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I am not from the USA either Robyn. I have tested with Ancestry, FTDNA and 23andme and I have uploaded to MyHeritage. The volume of matches and my success rate in identifying common ancestors is significantly higher with Ancestry than with the others.

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Tannis, Thanks for the best answer star.

Answer 2

General Help

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:WikiTree_Help

DNA on WikiTree

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:DNA