My first autosomal DNA Test was with 23andMe in 2015. Since then I have taken advantage of the free import of 23andMe raw DNA data to MyHeritage, have done a test with AncestryDNA, and most recently have used the FamilyHistoryDNA autosomal transfer program. So which test would I recommend? Below are my personal opinions of each testing company, and my recommended testing sequence.
Ancestry DNA
+ The largest autosomal DNA database
+ Identification of others who match you and someone else
- Does not identify which segments are shared with others, and there are no DNA tools to work with
- If you do not have a paid subscription to Ancestry, then DNA matching functionality is somewhat limited
23andMe
+ The second largest autosomal DNA database
+ Identification of Y and Mt-DNA haplogroup (at a broad level)
+ Shows the percentage of DNA shared with others, which segments are shared with others, and has basic tools to work with, including a chromosome viewer (up to 5 people at once)
+ If a parent has also tested, matches can be split between paternal and maternal lines
+ You can update the predicted relationship to the actual known relationship, without a family tree
FamilyTreeDNA
+ Predicted relationships can be confirmed by linking matching individuals to your family tree
+ Once a few matches from both sides are confirmed, the system predicts paternal and maternal line matches, without having a parent tested (gets better as you confirm more matches)
+ Shows the amount of shared DNA, and allows viewing of the matching segments of up to 5 people
+ Good filtering and sorting of matches
+ A FamilyTreeDNA test sample can also be used for Y and Mt-DNA testing
+ Low cost (US $19.00) transfer of raw autosomal DNA data from Ancestry and 23andMe (cannot be used for subsequent Y or Mt-DNA tests)
- Third largest autosomal DNA database
My Heritage DNA
+ Free transfer of raw DNA data (limited time offer) from other testing companies
+ Shows the percentage of shared DNA and the number of shared segments
- The smallest autosomal database, of the 4 major DNA testing companies (but should increase rapidly if people take advantage of the free transfer from other companies)
- Does not show which segments are shared with other users
- If you do not have a paid subscription to MyHeritage, then DNA matching functionality is somewhat limited
If I had the money, I would take every available test with every testing company, to maximise the chance of finding new DNA matches, which help to confirm the researched family tree. But recognising that very few of us have unlimited funds, I would recommend the following sequence -
- Test with either 23andMe or Ancestry (largest databases provide the most exposure)
- Upload your raw DNA data to GEDmatch, to utilise their tools and to facilitate matching with users across different testing companies
- Purchase the low-cost autosomal DNA transfer to FamilyTreeDNA
- Create a family tree on FamilyTreeDNA, either by manual entry or by GEDCOM import from an existing family tree
- Take advantage of any other free or low-cost DNA data transfers from other testing companies
- Once you are totally hooked on genetic genealogy, take a Y-DNA (paternal line) and / or a Mt-DNA (maternal line) DNA test, to learn about these two lines in more detail
The number of people taking autosomal DNA tests seems to be growing exponentially, so you can expect more and more DNA matches as time goes on.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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