Re: Ancestry DNA testing

Fairweather · ‎10-17-2011

My daughter submitted a DNA sample from my husband, who didn't know much about his birth family's geographic ancestry. We recieved the results which were interesting. A previously unknown relative then got in touch with my daugher. My dh has a half-sister he didn't know! We also found a picture of his dad. The first one he had ever seen. Its been very interesting.

Good Luck

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@Fairweather wrote:
My daughter submitted a DNA sample from my husband, who didn't know much about his birth family's geographic ancestry. We recieved the results which were interesting. A previously unknown relative then got in touch with my daugher. My dh has a half-sister he didn't know! We also found a picture of his dad. The first one he had ever seen. Its been very interesting.

Good Luck

A second cousin found me and put me in touch with three first cousins I didn't know I had. All of them provided me with many family photos I would never have seen otherwise.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

And after looking up mtDNA testing in detail, for my particular interests it wouldn't tell me very much I don't already know. But I might someday re-test the autosomal (Ancestry) test with Family Tree DNA as apparently their testing is considered extremely accurate.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

AngusandBuddhasMom · ‎03-10-2010

I have been thinking of doing this as well. As for safety of records please. My local Pharmacy which was apart of the A& P food store chain sold my info along with other customers without my knowledge or consent. So much for that.

I am naive because I dont think much can come of this.

2cockers1cat · ‎03-09-2010

Years ago, I started a tree on Ancestry. Recently, I decided to test to see if I could clarify some mysteries. Who is our g-grandmother Lilly? There is a grave marker, a 1910 census, and a 1913 death certificate. Who were her parents and is the man she's living with on the census our g-grandfather?

The testing revealed my conclusions about her father's identity were correct. I have many genetic markers in common with his descendants who have tested through Ancestry.

And, the man from the census had many siblings. Luckily, some of their descendants have samples with Ancestry, too. I also have a cousin relationship to them.

As to Lilly's mother, still a mystery. None of the existing records list a mother's name. I do have genetic commonalities with a family group not in my tree. However, casual research hasn't revealed how we are connected.

I learned more than I ever expected to. Only because other descendants of the people I am researching were tested.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@2cockers1cat wrote:
Years ago, I started a tree on Ancestry. Recently, I decided to test to see if I could clarify some mysteries. Who is our g-grandmother Lilly? There is a grave marker, a 1910 census, and a 1913 death certificate. Who were her parents and is the man she's living with on the census our g-grandfather?
The testing revealed my conclusions about her father's identity were correct. I have many genetic markers in common with his descendants who have tested through Ancestry.
And, the man from the census had many siblings. Luckily, some of their descendants have samples with Ancestry, too. I also have a cousin relationship to them.
As to Lilly's mother, still a mystery. None of the existing records list a mother's name. I do have genetic commonalities with a family group not in my tree. However, casual research hasn't revealed how we are connected.
I learned more than I ever expected to. Only because other descendants of the people I am researching were tested.

AND because those people let their trees be PUBLIC. Never understood people joining Ancestry and staying private. If people doing searches can't "see" you ...

Did you have any luck looking at your (however distant) relatives trees for info about Lilly?

I was shocked at how much info (75% of all the info I have) was garnered from the census alone.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

I'd like to ask this again to see if anybody sees it and knows the answer -

I am seeking the best choice for finding out my ethnicities. I don't care about people, names, family trees, places, etc. I just want to find out the best place to submit my blood and find out the percentage of certain ethnicities.

I need this information for a specific purpose, but I don't know where to start and where I can feel like my private information isn't being sold.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@chickenbutt wrote:
I'd like to ask this again to see if anybody sees it and knows the answer -

I am seeking the best choice for finding out my ethnicities. I don't care about people, names, family trees, places, etc. I just want to find out the best place to submit my blood and find out the percentage of certain ethnicities.

I need this information for a specific purpose, but I don't know where to start and where I can feel like my private information isn't being sold.

Check with your doctor. http://www.genome.gov/19516567

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@chickenbutt wrote:
I'd like to ask this again to see if anybody sees it and knows the answer -

I am seeking the best choice for finding out my ethnicities. I don't care about people, names, family trees, places, etc. I just want to find out the best place to submit my blood and find out the percentage of certain ethnicities.

I need this information for a specific purpose, but I don't know where to start and where I can feel like my private information isn't being sold.

Family Tree DNA is the only one of the major companies that would get specific permission from you IF they ever wanted to sell your information. When you sign up with them, no "automatic" permission is given. You have your choice of three different tests with them. They are reputed to be the most accurate by a small margin.

Ancestry DNA is also a good one for learning ethnicity. They state they have never yet provided people's sample information, but they reserve the right.

But DNA testing isn't that simple. It's not 100% accurate and all just ticking boxes. You would need to read the descriptions of what the testing shoes on the websites.

IMO the autosomal DNA testing is best for ethnicity, even though both Ancestry and Family Tree choose to label it "Family Finder" and etc.

You can't say "I just want this and this, not that" - they testing isn't done that way or marketed that way.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Thank You for that info, Nutmeg. You are always so helpful. I don't have a doctor so that's why I have been trying to find a route whereby I can submit a blood sample and receive a set of results on my own.

Moonchilde - Thank You also for your response. That is a lot of great information. I have to admit that I can get overwhelmed easily sometimes, at this point, and I keep getting in my own way trying to do research. This helps immensely. Thanks so much, again!!

I guess the science of this isn't as advanced as I had expected (hoped?). I figured that it was to the point that you could submit the blood and get - you are 25% German, 25% this, 10% that, etc.