What is the best company to use to have your MtDNA tested? (UK based)

Question

I've had my Autosomal DNA tested through Ancestry.com and that has provided some interesting and valuable information, including the DNA match who led me here to Wikitree. I'm now thinking about having MtDNA tested too - any suggestions?

And has anyone taken the test and found it useful/worth the money?

Thanks you.

Answer 1

I recommend testing with Family Tree DNA (US based).  Doing so allows you the best opportunity for matching other customers.  An alternative is to test with Y-SEQ (Germany based).  Oxford Ancestors is UK based but they are way overpriced and they don’t test full sequence.  If you test with Family Tree DNA or Y-SEQ then you can upload to mitoYDNA.org which will eventually allow you to compare between different labs and automatically associate your mtDNA with your direct maternal line in WikiTree.

Comments

How about LivingDNA? They're not overpriced, and they are UK based.  Highly recommended.

---

Oxford Ancestors are winding it up as Brian Sykes is retiring

---

LivingDNA does not reveal insertions and deletions useful for relationships in a genealogical time frame.  It only looks at major SNPs that are thousands of years old which are used to define subhaplogroups.  LivingDNA’s testing lab is near Atlanta, Georgia.

---

Don't LivingDNA use the DNA Worldwide Group, which is based in Frome, Somerset?

---

Hi Sally,

I agree with Peter that FTDNA would be the best choice and they do ship to the UK. I found this link on the FTDNA website that may help - https://www.familytreedna.com/learn/ftdna/shipping-dna-tests-to-international-destinations/

In regards to was it "useful/worth the money" I personally have yet to find many mtDNA matches but I also ended up in a really small sub group and its been reclassified 2 times since I initially took the test. All that in itself I am finding extremely interesting as all the matches are coming from the same general area in Denmark my mother is from. I think for me its more of an educational experience. So I say yes.

---

Thank you, Peter and all who've commented. Sounds like FTDNA is my best bet.

---

had big-y by familytreedna and I'm in England. I then followed with family finder and then full mtdna. Only needed 1 sample. I also had livingdna done 2 years ago but never had any hits on their database, had loads from familytreedna in each section. I usually wait for the sales to purchase. Easy enough to order the kit and return it. I recommend familytreedna

Answer 2

FamilyTreeDNA is the only company that both tests full sequence mtDNA and provides a match database.
LivingDNA and 23andme will both provide your haplogroup (branch on the tree of genetic "Eve",) but not to the same precision as FTDNA and without the capability of matching others with the same haplogroup (not sure if LivingDNA's matching will or does include mtDNA).

That said, I can't say I've found my mtDNA test at all useful, although fascinating and have tracked down descendants of selected ancestors I hope one day to find mtDNA matches for to help with elusive ancestors. 

If budget is of concern value for money is actually convincing and assisting more cousins to test their autosomal DNA (ie the tests offered by Ancestry, MyHeritage, and the FTDNA FamilyFinder test,) to help sort our who matches whom where.

All that said, this post may assist:
https://dna-explained.com/2019/04/22/thirteen-good-reasons-to-test-your-mitochondrial-dna/

Comments

Thank you for that link, Lorna, very useful.

---

I did the 23 and me and have found a lot of interesting information I can’t say what test company would be best, but I have found a few close relatives and a lady who was adopted as a baby from my 1st cousin.

Answer 3

Sally, please check out my discussion of mtDNA testing, and the differences in the various tests offered:

• About Your mtDNA Test and Haplogroup

Comments

This is great, Rob, thank you.

Answer 4

I would recommend FTDNA for an additional reason; You can download your autosomal DNA file from Ancestry, and upload it to FTDNA.  Then after you have made sure that your mailing address is correct in your new FTDNA account you can order the mitochondrial DNA test you are after, although perhaps it might pay to wait for the next sale.  However, once you have the account you can spend some interesting time looking at your new autosomal DNA matches there whilst waiting for your mitochondrial DNA test kit to arrive!  (and I recommend doing the Full Mitochondrial Sequence test)

Answer 5

I will echo the recommendation of Peter et al. that FTDNA is the best choice amd that it should be the full sequence.  Unfortunately, I have had absolutely zero matches who have connected.  That said, my maternal line is the one line where I do not get any autosomal matches past three generations so I did not expect much.  There is always the hope that some future test taker will connect.