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General => Ancestral Family Tree DNA Testing => Topic started by: Wexflyer on Friday 24 January 25 06:50 GMT (UK)

Title: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Wexflyer on Friday 24 January 25 06:50 GMT (UK)
It annoys me no end that they keep expanding the number and range of - what I believe - are totally useless and meaningless "traits", while not providing some obvious and useful DNA tools.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: LizzieL on Friday 24 January 25 07:47 GMT (UK)
Yep
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Ruskie on Friday 24 January 25 08:18 GMT (UK)
Yes. Useless and not accurate in my case. I was entertained for a couple of minutes by how wrong many of them were.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Biggles50 on Friday 24 January 25 08:22 GMT (UK)
At present probably Traits are more of a statistical guess.

The BRCA1 and 2 DNA tests that look for the altered gene in breast and ovarian cancer does not provide a conclusive yes/no answer, only 5-10% of those affected or likely to be affected carry the altered gene.

In my mind Traits are a marketing ploy, the My Heritage Traits are way off the mark with me and my Wife.  No reason why Ancestry should be regarded as anything more than a bit of fun.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: rosie17 on Friday 24 January 25 10:24 GMT (UK)
Yes. Useless and not accurate in my case. I was entertained for a couple of minutes by how wrong many of them were.

Agree with you there  :D

Rosie
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Jebber on Friday 24 January 25 11:30 GMT (UK)
I don’t bother with Ancestry traits after I found 95% of my traits are totally wrong. ::)
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: SouthseaSteel on Friday 24 January 25 13:06 GMT (UK)
Yes. Next question
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Glen in Tinsel Kni on Friday 24 January 25 14:19 GMT (UK)
A chunk of the problem is the dna test for family history purposes is a shrinking market so the non family history aspects of dna are being promoted to attract a different customer base. If 1% of the ethnicity chasers and health tourists go on to buy a sub then it's worth their while marketing it, whilst  anyone who falls for it is being a bit daft to put it bluntly but what is it they say about fools and their money? 
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Pennines on Friday 24 January 25 19:02 GMT (UK)
I stopped looking at mine, since I received one telling me I was ticklish (or not ticklish -- I can't remember which now).

Just thought it was so inane!
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Wexflyer on Friday 24 January 25 19:07 GMT (UK)
What really irritates me though is that they keep generating more and more inane traits, while not providing basic DNA tools
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: LizzieL on Saturday 25 January 25 07:20 GMT (UK)
What really irritates me though is that they keep generating more and more inane traits, while not providing basic DNA tools

Agreed, I really needed them to tell me whether I could smell asparagus or liked fresh coriander
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 25 January 25 08:34 GMT (UK)
What really irritates me though is that they keep generating more and more inane traits, while not providing basic DNA tools

Agreed, I really needed them to tell me whether I could smell asparagus or liked fresh coriander

These things are probably cheap and easy to determine, and they are trying to market the novelty aspect as Glen so rightly said.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Steve3180 on Monday 27 January 25 21:20 GMT (UK)
I'm eagerly awaiting that glorious day when they combine two of their fantastic offerings, Pet DNA and Traits and I find out, once and for all, whether Goldie the Goldfish is ticklish.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Wexflyer on Monday 27 January 25 21:21 GMT (UK)
I'm eagerly awaiting that glorious day when they combine two of their fantastic offerings, Pet DNA and Traits and I find out, once and for all, whether Goldie the Goldfish is ticklish.

Brilliant!
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Ruskie on Monday 27 January 25 22:20 GMT (UK)
I'm eagerly awaiting that glorious day when they combine two of their fantastic offerings, Pet DNA and Traits and I find out, once and for all, whether Goldie the Goldfish is ticklish.

Brilliant!

 ;D
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Glen in Tinsel Kni on Tuesday 28 January 25 20:13 GMT (UK)
They would have to pin it to the home page as the goldfish will never remember otherwise.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Glen in Tinsel Kni on Wednesday 05 February 25 00:56 GMT (UK)
What really irritates me though is that they keep generating more and more inane traits, while not providing basic DNA tools

Agreed, I really needed them to tell me whether I could smell asparagus or liked fresh coriander

These things are probably cheap and easy to determine, and they are trying to market the novelty aspect as Glen so rightly said.

But is it also not true that the majority, if not all the traits can only have two outcomes? A few educated and/or lucky guesses and people believe it to be true in the same way they believe a fortune teller or clairvoyant.

What next? They have our billing info and can see our trees, are they going to launch a tv show where they knock the door of a 'private tree' owner and fool them into thinking the paranormal investigator sidekick they have brought along can break down the brickwall in their 'private tree' just by sensing the aura someone gives off.

Anyone fancy co-hosting a tv show I've just thought of? Working title Most Hunted.   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: KD146 on Friday 07 February 25 02:06 GMT (UK)
These stupid 'traits' are the reason some cousins actually refused to take a DNA test, that would have been very valuable to my tree. They expressed fear at the 'data' being collected, and not wanting to know what they might die of.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Glen in Tinsel Kni on Saturday 15 February 25 19:35 GMT (UK)
I've just found one that says my 'DNA suggests you have attached earlobes'. So glad to resolve that non existent 50 something year conundrum I've never had.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 15 February 25 20:00 GMT (UK)
That's one of the few traits that Ancestry has got correct for me  ::)
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Jebber on Saturday 15 February 25 20:44 GMT (UK)
Watched a programme on TV this afternoon, Sarah Beeny and her husband got their DNA  results and were getting all excited about their ethnicity. It made me laugh because we now how it will keep changing. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: frostyknight on Wednesday 19 February 25 22:45 GMT (UK)
Well, they got one of my traits right... they said I was a night owl. Since I've rarely checked my Ancestry account before 9pm, they'd never be able to guess that. Would they?  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Gadget on Wednesday 19 February 25 23:38 GMT (UK)
That's one of the few traits that Ancestry has got correct for me  ::)

Just glanced at my avatar and see that my Gran had attached lobes, so I must have inherited them from her along with her hair and eye colour. She was lovely  :)
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Glen in Tinsel Kni on Thursday 20 February 25 00:52 GMT (UK)
Now I think of it the attached earlobes thing is all the proof I need I'm not related to Vincent van Gogh.

As a whopping 2lb 5oz at birth I'm a little surprised they think I was above average birth weight. Maybe they mixed my dna in amongst the pet dna results for that one as I accept I was a tad heavy for a Jack Russell.  The jury is out on being more ticklish than average as I have no idea what average is or how to test for it.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Pennines on Thursday 20 February 25 09:10 GMT (UK)
Oh Glen - that is so funny!!

Actually, I didn't know there was a possibility of having 'detached' earlobes! Unless I just don't know anyone who has those.
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 20 February 25 09:18 GMT (UK)
'detached' is just the lobe, Pennines. The rest of the external ear is stuck to your head.   ;D ;D ;D

It's those of us with attached ones that are  posh - I think it's recessive - Glen would know.

 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Pennines on Thursday 20 February 25 10:43 GMT (UK)
Yes, Gadget -- but does the lobe just hang loose and flap about in the wind?
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 20 February 25 11:55 GMT (UK)
Yes, Gadget -- but does the lobe just hang loose and flap about in the wind?

I wouldn't know - mine are nicely attached.
 ;D
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Pennines on Thursday 20 February 25 13:21 GMT (UK)
We really need someone who has one to send a photo!!
Title: Re: Are Anc*stry "Traits" as Totally Useless as I Think They Are?
Post by: Glen in Tinsel Kni on Wednesday 26 February 25 17:32 GMT (UK)
glen, your DNA suggests you can wiggle your ears........Ear wiggling is at least 2% genetic
At most 98% environmental. We compared your DNA to the DNA of more than 990,000 people who answered the question “Can you wiggle your ears?”

Sounds very scientific but I wonder what impact attached earlobes have compared to the alternative(s)?