DNA Testing

[Nick29]

If you get a test from FTDNA you can manually enter the results into Ancestry, and your results are automatically uploaded to the ysearch.org database.

Before choosing which company to get tested with, you should find out what databases your results will be going into, and whether there will be annual charges to remain on the databases.

P.S. FTDNA currently have a sale on 

[kwheaton]

Nick is correct you can manually enter Y-DNA and mtDNA info into Ancestry if you have tested these elsewhere. However Ancestry does not currently have the option of uploading your atDNA (autosomal DNA)

I personally would test with FTDNA for the YDNA or mtDNA. For autosomal where your major interest is genealogy I personally favor Ancestry do to the power of their larger database and active Genealogically minded customers. However Nick is right there is a subscription involved so it would only be worthwhile long term for those that already subscribe. And all 3 labs are not going to have many matches for at DNA results that are helpful UNTIL a significant number of British take the tests. Matching with Americans or Australians can be helpful but not as helpful as matching British. :-)

And the FTDNA sale is good through the end of the year!

[stuartroxy]

Thanks.

So, would I be right in thinking that my DNA would be tested against the company database to determine any ancestors - if there's no-one there, then there's no results? 

Can they still determine ethnicity? I'm fairly sure that I'm Scottish (including Shetland) for the last couple of hundred years, but wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit a Scandanavian or Irish thrown in a while ago.


stuartroxy

[kwheaton]

In order to help you best are you mostly interested in your overall ancestry? That is your whole genetic background. If so then the autosomal test is the way to go. Here are your choices with the positives and negatives of each company:

FTDNA: Only includes atDNA. Samples kept 25 years. Great privacy policy. Modest database for atDNA. Includes those tested at their partner operation in the UK The ancestry background is being revamped but at this point may not be able to separate the various nationalities within the UK

Genographic 2.0 through the National Geographic and tested at the FTDNA lab is brand new and may be your best bet if what you are after is the ancient origins of your make-up. This contains lots Ancestral Indicative Markers but nothing that would make connections in genealogical time frame.

ANCESTRY.com: This gives you the largest database but at this point mainly US market. Eventually I would expect this to be offered there and because of its size and outreach probably will have the best chance of connection. Right now the Ancestry breakdown wouldn't get you any finer than British. And many Americans of British descent are coming up Scandinavian on Ancestry. They seem to get those with recent British Ancestry fine but can't break it out for those like myself whose ancestors came in the 1600's and 1700's to America.

23andme: This offers a lot of value for the price and will ship to the UK. What you get is your mtDNA (maternal line) Haplogroup your Y-DNA (paternal) DNA (father's line) Haplogroups are your ancient DNA for just Your mother's and father's strict maternal or paternal line of descent. AND you get your atDNA so all your matches across your tree and there are those that have tested from the UK. ANd you get all the medical info. The disadvantage is that many people who test do so mainly for medical reasons so only maybe 1/4 of the folks are responsive to contact as far as genealogy is concerned. They are just rolling out a new ancestry feature that promises to be one of the best yet.

Among those above All give you your Raw DNA for download except ANCESTRY which is supposed to make that available next year. Why would you want your Raw DNA you might ask? because you can then use mainly tools that help you breakdown your ancestry finer. like the free GEDMATCH.com tools.

I wish it was simpler but alas it is not. Please continue to ask until you get the answers you are looking for.

[Nick29]

Nick is correct you can manually enter Y-DNA and mtDNA info into Ancestry if you have tested these elsewhere. However Ancestry does not currently have the option of uploading your atDNA (autosomal DNA)

I've quite rapidly come to the conclusion that autosomal DNA is the industry's way of making some easy money.  I paid for an autosomal test, and the only 'links' that I've had so far were from Americans who didn't have a clue where their family came from, who were desperate to find a link in Europe.  In the last 6 months I've had 3 Americans 'claiming me' as a long-lost 2nd cousin !   I do have family connections in the USA, but I have paper proof, not test-tube proof.

[supermoussi]

If you have Scottish ancestry you might like to take a look at Dr Jim Wilson's DNA testing:-

   www.scotlandsdna.com

I haven't taken his tests but his reputation is good and, being Scottish, he has arguably the most knowledge of Scots DNA there is.

[stuartroxy]

Thanks!

stuartroxy