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''[[Hiring a Professional Researcher|Hiring a Professional Researcher]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]]  [[Hiring_a_DNA_Testing_Company|Hiring a DNA Testing Company]]''
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DNA testing has become an accepted tool for identifying ancestors.


<br>{{DNA}}
==Hiring a DNA Testing Company==
DNA testing has become an accepted tool for identifying ancestors and for verifying genealogical leads. It is also used frequently to learn about our deep ancestry. Testing your family DNA sometimes results in finding cousins who may have more genealogical information than you.
== Disclaimer  ==
'''Neither The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nor FamilySearch International is associated in any way with any DNA study. As a non-profit organization, FamilySearch cannot recommend a specific DNA-testing company to you.'''


== Frequently Asked Questions  ==
== DNA Testing Companies ==


{{Online course badge
The main five main companies for genetic genealogy are [[23andme in Genealogy Research|23andme]], [[Ancestry DNA in Genealogy Research|Ancestry]], [[FamilyTreeDNA in Genealogy Research|FamilyTreeDNA]], [[Living DNA in Genealogy Research|LivingDNA]], and [[MyHeritage DNA in Genealogy Research|MyHeritage]]. All five of these companies sell DNA kits, predict your ethnicity results, generate a list of your genetic relatives who are also in the database, tell you the amount of centimorgans you share with each match, and predict the relationship between the two of you, let you see lists of people who match you and someone else on your match list, let you add your family tree, and allow you to download your raw data. All of them use a microarray to test between 620,000-665,000 SNPs and all have a base price on their basic autosomal DNA test between $79 and $99. All five companies are highly reputable and will do a great job if you choose to buy a DNA test from them.
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#How can DNA testing help me in my genealogical research?
In addition to these five companies, [[GEDmatch in Genealogy Research|GedMatch]] is also a key genetic database. GedMatch, however, does not sell DNA kits, you must buy a kit from another company and then upload your DNA raw data file into GedMatch.
#Which company should I pick?
#How much does it cost?
#Who can be tested?
#How do I interpret my DNA results?


A lecture given at RootsTech 2012 can help you answer these questions:
If you are looking for someone you gave up for adoption, it is important to get your DNA in all the databases. That way you have the best possible chance of finding the one person you are looking for.


CeCe Moore's "DNA Testing for Genealogy - Getting Started" series is a great place for beginners. Read her posts at the Geni blog:
== Comparison Table of the Five Main DNA Testing Companies ==
*[http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-one-375984.html Part 1]
*[http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-two-376163.html Part 2]
*[http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-three-376261.html Part 3]
*[http://www.geni.com/blog/dna-testing-for-genealogy-getting-started-part-four-376433.html Part 4]<ref>Dick Eastman, "Getting Started in Genetic Genealogy Part #4," ''Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter,'' 11 August 2012, http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2012/08/getting-started-in-genetic-genealogy-part-4.html.</ref>


== Y-DNA Testing  ==
The following is a table comparing the main features of the five main DNA testing companies. To see the full table please refer to the ISOGG wiki page [https://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_testing_comparison_chart Autosomal DNA testing comparison chart.]


Information stored in the Y-chromosome passes virtually unchanged from father-to-son for centuries. Analysis of this genetic information, found in living people, can help you determine whether or not you share a common ancestor with another person alive today. Computer algorithms predict approximately how long ago the common ancestor lived. These results have many genealogical applications.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Comparison of the Five Main DNA Testing Companies
|-
! !! [[23andme in Genealogy Research|23andme]] !! [[FamilyTreeDNA in Genealogy Research|FamilyTreeDNA]] !! [[Ancestry DNA in Genealogy Research|Ancestry]] !! [[MyHeritage DNA in Genealogy Research|MyHeritage]] !! [[Living DNA in Genealogy Research|LivingDNA]]
|-
| Website || www.23andme.com || wwww.familytreedna.com || www.dna.ancestry.com || www.myheritagedna.com || www.livingdna.com
|-
| People in Database <br> (13 August 2023) || 14,000,000 || 1,574,253 || 23,000,000 || 7,200,000 || 300,000
|-
| Comments on Database|| Mainly Americans || Mixture of Americans and Europeans || Mainly Americans || Bestselling DNA test in Europe|| Mainly British People
|-
| Base Price || $99 || $79 || $99 || $89 <br> (frequently on sale for $49) || $79
|-
| Shipping || $9.95 || $9.95 || $9.95 || $5 || $9.95
|-
| Free Return Shipping || Yes || Yes || Yes || No || Yes
|-
| Uploads Allowed from Other Companies || No || Yes || No || Yes || Yes
|-
| Cost to Get all Features from Uploaded DNA || NA || $19 (Sale price $9-10) || NA || $20 || $20
|-
| Method || Spit tube || Cheek Swab || Spit Tube || Cheek Swab || Cheek Swab
|-
| Chromosome Browser || Yes (Disabled as of October 20th, 2023) || Yes || No || Yes || Yes
|-
| Matching X DNA Reported || Yes (Disabled as of October 20th, 2023) || Yes || No || No || No
|-
| Means of Contacting Matches || Internal messaging system || Emails provided || Internal messaging system || Internal messaging system || Internal messaging system
|-
| Response Rate || Low || Medium || Low || Medium || Medium
|-
| Autosomal SNPs Tested || 630,312 || 612,272 || 637,639 || 576,157 || 683,503
|-
| Y chromosome SNPs Tested || 3733 || 0 || 1691 || 3495 || 34,216
|-
| X chromosome SNPs Tested || 16,530 || 16,271 || 28,892 + 440 from the PAR region || 26,694 || 15,028
|-
| Mitochondrial SNPs Tested || 4318 || 179 || 263 || 0 || 3982
|-
| Special features || Neanderthal Ancestry, Y and mtDNA haplogroups || Y-DNA and mtDNA specialized tests || Thrulines || Theories of Relativity <br> DNA clusters || High resolution ethnicity estimates for the UK
|-
|}


== MTDNA Testing  ==
== Public DNA Databases ==


== Autosomal DNA Testing  ==
Public DNA Databases do not sell DNA kits, but do allow uploads from the other companies. Here is a list of some of them.


== DNA Testing Companies  ==
*[https://DNAGedcom.com DNAGedcom.com]  
 
*[http://www.gedmatch.com/ Gedmatch] - Autosomal raw data only
Some major commercial DNA testing companies are listed below in alphabetical order. Please visit their websites to learn more about their services:<br>
 
*[https://www.23andme.com/ 23andMe]
*[http://dna.ancestry.com/welcome.aspx Ancestry DNA]
*[http://dnaconsultants.com/ DNA Consulting<br>]
*[http://www.familytreedna.com/faq/ Family Tree DNA]
*[http://www.genetree.com/ GeneTree]  
*[http://www.oxfordancestors.com/ Oxford Ancestors]
*[http://www.sorensongenomics.com/ Sorenson Genomics]
 
== Public DNA Databases  ==
 
*[http://www.ysearch.org/ YSearch]  
*[http://www.genebase.com/ GeneBase]  
*[http://www.genebase.com/ GeneBase]  
*[http://www.smgf.org/ Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation] (formerly sponsored by Brigham Young University)
*[https://mitoYDNA.org mitoYDNA.org] - Crowdsourced Y and mitochondrial databases
*[http://www.yhrd.org/ YHRD] - Y-Chromosome STR haplotype reference database


The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to building the world's foremost collection of DNA and corresponding genealogical information. SMGF is making some information available on their web site. Finding matching DNA results and pedigrees in the Sorenson Database can help you make new family connections throughout the world and across generations.The Foundation is a world leader in DNA research with direct application to genealogy. Their work complements other studies that focus on the "deep ancestry" of humankind.  
=== Defunct Public DNA Databases ===
*[http://www.mitosearch.org/ Mitosearch] - Site closed in May 2018 over concerns their data was not compliant with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
*[http://www.mtdnacommunity.org mtDNACommunity] - As of August 2020 the site is down, but you may be able to contact them at [mailto:info@mtDNACommuity.org info@mtDNACommuity.org]
*[http://www.smgf.org/ Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SNGF)] - Formerly sponsored by Brigham Young University, SMGF was acquired by [http://www.ancestry.com/ Ancestry]. The data is not publicly available.


== Result Interpretation Assistance ==
== Result Analysis  ==


Organizations, such as [http://www.geneticgenealogyconsultant.com/ The Genetic Genealogy Consultant], provide services to help you interpret your DNA results and get the most out of what they can tell you about your roots.
Organizations, such as [http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/ The Genetic Genealogist], [http://www.geneticgenealogyconsultant.com/ The Genetic Genealogy Consultant], and [http://www.yourgeneticgenealogist.com/ Your Genetic Genealogist] provide services to help you interpret your DNA results and get the most out of what they can tell you about your roots.  


== DNA Projects  ==
== DNA Projects  ==
Thousands of DNA Projects, usually focused on a particular surname, location, or ethnicity, are active around the world.  A listing of geographical projects can be found in the [http://www.isogg.org/wiki/Geographical_DNA_projects ISOGG Wiki].


Thousands of DNA Projects, usually focused on a particular surname, location, or ethnicity, are active around the world. To determine if a DNA project is underway for your ancestor's surname, start with [http://www.worldfamilies.net/ World Families Network].
A list of the over 11,000 FamilyTree DNA projects can be found on their [https://www.familytreedna.com/group-project-search FamilyTreeDNA Group Projects] page.
 
=== Adoption-Specific Projects ===
Other DNA projects can be found on the Internet by using a search engine, such as Google, with the words "Genealogy DNA". Contact each organization for additional information.
These projects have created with the specific purpose of helping adoptees find their biological families.
 
*[https://dnaadoption.org/ DNAAdoption]
Examples of individual projects include:
*Mixed Roots Foundation [https://mixedrootsfoundation.org/programs/global-adoptee-genealogy-project/ Global Adoptee Genealogy Project (GAGP)]
 
*[http://groups.ancestry.com/group/35403972 Britton International DNA&nbsp;Project at Ancestry]
*[http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/britton/ Britton International DNA Project] - main website
*[http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2012/05/mixed-roots-foundation-announces-first-ever-global-adoptee-genealogy-project-gagp.html Global Adoptee Genealogy Project]  
*[http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/harrison Harrison DNA&nbsp;Project]
*[http://www.kerchner.com/dna-info.htm Kerchner DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy]
*[http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/kevan Kevan DNA Project ]
*[http://www.familytreedna.com/public/newmexicoDNA/ New Mexico DNA&nbsp;Project]
*[http://www.familytreedna.com/public/spencer/default.aspx Spencer DNA&nbsp;Project]
 
== What is DNA?  ==
 
DNA research is based on the 46 chromosomes that every human being has (with few exceptions). The gender determining chromosomes are X from the mother and either X or Y from the father.&nbsp; If X from the father, the child is female and if Y from the father the child is male.&nbsp; The Y-chromosome can be traced from father to son to son and so on.&nbsp; The mother has a mtDNA which is something of an energy source for the cells.&nbsp; All children of one mother have the same mtDNA as do all children of that mother's daughters, though not of her sons since mtDNA can't be passed by men.&nbsp; Since the mutation of chromosomes is very slow the study of the Y-chromosome or the mtDNA trail forms the basis of the DNA genealogy.
 
== DNA in the news  ==
 
*[http://blog.eogn.com/.services/blog/6a00d8341c767353ef00e55065e13d8833/search/page/1/?filter.q=DNA DNA blog posts] at EOGN.com
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/us/with-dna-testing-adoptees-find-a-way-to-connect-with-family.html With DNA Testing, Suddenly They Are Family] by Rachel L. Swarns (''New York Times'', 23 January 2012). Discusses DNA tests for adopted people.  
*[http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700150651/DNA-solves-a-Joseph-Smith-mystery.html DNA solves a Joseph Smith mystery] by Michael De Groote (''Deseret News'', 9 July 2011)
*[http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700249298/DNA-shows-Joseph-Smith-was-Irish.html DNA shows Joseph Smith was Irish] by Michael De Groote (''Deseret News'', 8 August 2011)
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/fashion/14spit.html When in Doubt, Spit It Out] by Allen Salkin (''New York Times'', 12 September 2008). DNA testing parties.
*[http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600129402/Sorenson-compiling-huge-DNA-database.html Sorenson compiling huge DNA database] by George Anders (''Wall Street Journal'', 27 April 2005)


== Websites  ==
== Websites  ==
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{{Wikipedia|Genetic_genealogy|Genetic genealogy}}  
{{Wikipedia|Genetic_genealogy|Genetic genealogy}}  


*[http://www.isogg.org/ International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)]. Site includes newsletters, a DNA [http://www.isogg.org/wiki/Wiki_Welcome_Page Wiki], [http://www.isogg.org/tree/ Y-DNA Haplogroup Tree], list of DNA consultants for hire, list of DNA speakers, DNA signatures of famous people, and much more.  
*[http://www.isogg.org/ International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)]. Site includes newsletters, a DNA [http://www.isogg.org/wiki/Wiki_Welcome_Page Wiki], [http://www.isogg.org/tree/ Y-DNA Haplogroup Tree], list of DNA consultants for hire, list of DNA speakers, DNA signatures of famous people, project listings and much more. To ask questions and read news, visit their [https://www.facebook.com/groups/isogg/ Facebook page].<br>
*[http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/GENEALOGY-DNA/ Genealogy DNA Mailing List (RootsWeb)]. Active conversations about genetic genealogy.  
*[https://lists.rootsweb.com/hyperkitty/list/genealogy-dna.rootsweb.com/2019/1/ Genealogy DNA Mailing List (RootsWeb)]. Active conversations about genetic genealogy.  
*[http://www.dnaandfamilyhistory.com/ Chris Pomery: DNA&nbsp;&amp; Family History]. Online resources include DNA talks, books, papers, articles, blogs, presentations, podcasts, and websites by an expert in the field.  
*[http://www.dnaandfamilyhistory.com/ Chris Pomery: DNA &amp; Family History]. Online resources include DNA talks, books, papers, articles, blogs, presentations, podcasts, and websites by an expert in the field.  
*[http://www.jogg.info/ Journal of Genetic Genealogy]. Free articles from leading scholars in the field.
*[http://www.jogg.info/ Journal of Genetic Genealogy]. Free articles from leading scholars in the field.  
 
*[http://www.geneticgenealogyconsultant.com Genetic Genealogy Consultant]. Free tutorials and resources for understanding DNA results within a genealogical and ancestral context.
== References  ==
*[http://www.yourgeneticgenealogist.com/ Your Genetic Genealogist]. This Blog strives to make the subject of genetic genealogy accessible and understandable for the non-scientist. Written by CeCe Moore, a professional genetic genealogist and experienced personal genomics consumer.
 
*[https://www.facebook.com/groups/03guillaume/ Autosomal DNA Facebook group]. Great place to learn more about your autosomal DNA results.
<references />
 
== Disclaimer  ==
 
''Neither The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nor FamilySearch is associated in any way with any DNA studies. As a non-profit organization, FamilySearch cannot recommend a specific DNA-testing company to you''.  
 
{{featured article}}


[[Category:DNA]]
[[Category:Genetic_Research]]

Latest revision as of 11:58, 15 December 2023

DNA Wiki Topics
DNA Helix
DNA Companies
Public DNA Databases
Classes
DNA Methodology
  • Automated Clustering
  • Find a child you gave for adoption
  • Find Your Unknown Father
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Find both of your parents if you are adopted
  • Visual Phasing
Scientific Details
Ethics


Hiring a DNA Testing Company[edit | edit source]

DNA testing has become an accepted tool for identifying ancestors and for verifying genealogical leads. It is also used frequently to learn about our deep ancestry. Testing your family DNA sometimes results in finding cousins who may have more genealogical information than you.

Disclaimer[edit | edit source]

Neither The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nor FamilySearch International is associated in any way with any DNA study. As a non-profit organization, FamilySearch cannot recommend a specific DNA-testing company to you.

DNA Testing Companies[edit | edit source]

The main five main companies for genetic genealogy are 23andme, Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, LivingDNA, and MyHeritage. All five of these companies sell DNA kits, predict your ethnicity results, generate a list of your genetic relatives who are also in the database, tell you the amount of centimorgans you share with each match, and predict the relationship between the two of you, let you see lists of people who match you and someone else on your match list, let you add your family tree, and allow you to download your raw data. All of them use a microarray to test between 620,000-665,000 SNPs and all have a base price on their basic autosomal DNA test between $79 and $99. All five companies are highly reputable and will do a great job if you choose to buy a DNA test from them.

In addition to these five companies, GedMatch is also a key genetic database. GedMatch, however, does not sell DNA kits, you must buy a kit from another company and then upload your DNA raw data file into GedMatch.

If you are looking for someone you gave up for adoption, it is important to get your DNA in all the databases. That way you have the best possible chance of finding the one person you are looking for.

Comparison Table of the Five Main DNA Testing Companies[edit | edit source]

The following is a table comparing the main features of the five main DNA testing companies. To see the full table please refer to the ISOGG wiki page Autosomal DNA testing comparison chart.

Comparison of the Five Main DNA Testing Companies
23andme FamilyTreeDNA Ancestry MyHeritage LivingDNA
Website www.23andme.com wwww.familytreedna.com www.dna.ancestry.com www.myheritagedna.com www.livingdna.com
People in Database
(13 August 2023)		 14,000,000 1,574,253 23,000,000 7,200,000 300,000
Comments on Database Mainly Americans Mixture of Americans and Europeans Mainly Americans Bestselling DNA test in Europe Mainly British People
Base Price $99 $79 $99 $89
(frequently on sale for $49)		 $79
Shipping $9.95 $9.95 $9.95 $5 $9.95
Free Return Shipping Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Uploads Allowed from Other Companies No Yes No Yes Yes
Cost to Get all Features from Uploaded DNA NA $19 (Sale price $9-10) NA $20 $20
Method Spit tube Cheek Swab Spit Tube Cheek Swab Cheek Swab
Chromosome Browser Yes (Disabled as of October 20th, 2023) Yes No Yes Yes
Matching X DNA Reported Yes (Disabled as of October 20th, 2023) Yes No No No
Means of Contacting Matches Internal messaging system Emails provided Internal messaging system Internal messaging system Internal messaging system
Response Rate Low Medium Low Medium Medium
Autosomal SNPs Tested 630,312 612,272 637,639 576,157 683,503
Y chromosome SNPs Tested 3733 0 1691 3495 34,216
X chromosome SNPs Tested 16,530 16,271 28,892 + 440 from the PAR region 26,694 15,028
Mitochondrial SNPs Tested 4318 179 263 0 3982
Special features Neanderthal Ancestry, Y and mtDNA haplogroups Y-DNA and mtDNA specialized tests Thrulines Theories of Relativity
DNA clusters		 High resolution ethnicity estimates for the UK

Public DNA Databases[edit | edit source]

Public DNA Databases do not sell DNA kits, but do allow uploads from the other companies. Here is a list of some of them.

Defunct Public DNA Databases[edit | edit source]

Result Analysis[edit | edit source]

Organizations, such as The Genetic Genealogist, The Genetic Genealogy Consultant, and Your Genetic Genealogist provide services to help you interpret your DNA results and get the most out of what they can tell you about your roots.

DNA Projects[edit | edit source]

Thousands of DNA Projects, usually focused on a particular surname, location, or ethnicity, are active around the world. A listing of geographical projects can be found in the ISOGG Wiki.

A list of the over 11,000 FamilyTree DNA projects can be found on their FamilyTreeDNA Group Projects page.

Adoption-Specific Projects[edit | edit source]

These projects have created with the specific purpose of helping adoptees find their biological families.

Websites[edit | edit source]

 Wikipedia has more about this subject: Genetic genealogy
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