Have you done your DNA test, and had a surprise?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard that these DNA kits are scams and really unreliable...

You probably heard that from someone who didn't like the results they got.

I've done a bit of reading about this and the results aren't as great as you'd think. Some folks have done all three (23andme, Ancestry, and FamilyTree DNA) and gotten three different results. The issue seems to be that your information is only being compared to who is in their database. It would be excellent if the companies would pool their data - but I don't see that happening.

If they pool their data it will still have the same issue you described as being biased to whatever database is used. Consensus doesn't mean its accurate.

[Anonymous]

I'm more concerned regarding the subsequent fate of the information. Curious, but don't want to do this at this point.

I generally know what I am there, not much diversity in my pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard that these DNA kits are scams and really unreliable...

You probably heard that from someone who didn't like the results they got.

I've done a bit of reading about this and the results aren't as great as you'd think. Some folks have done all three (23andme, Ancestry, and FamilyTree DNA) and gotten three different results. The issue seems to be that your information is only being compared to who is in their database. It would be excellent if the companies would pool their data - but I don't see that happening.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/dna-ancestry-tests-are-meaningless-your-historical-genealogy-search-244586

Party pooper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard that these DNA kits are scams and really unreliable...

You probably heard that from someone who didn't like the results they got.

I've done a bit of reading about this and the results aren't as great as you'd think. Some folks have done all three (23andme, Ancestry, and FamilyTree DNA) and gotten three different results. The issue seems to be that your information is only being compared to who is in their database. It would be excellent if the companies would pool their data - but I don't see that happening.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/dna-ancestry-tests-are-meaningless-your-historical-genealogy-search-244586

Party pooper

Sorry. I may still do the DNA test because its kind of fun - but buyer beware.

[Anonymous]

I just did mine through Ancestry and was beyond disappointed with the 92% European Jewish outcome. I already knew I am Jewish, which I consider to be a religion and not nationality (which was what I was looking for). I did start building my family tree via their free 14 day access and found out 2 nationalities via the online census records I found. So I'm happy about that. I sent a kit to my sister too so we are expecting similar results. I was looking for a more specific country of origin instead of the broad European Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone with known origins in Asia or Africa done this? I'm just curious if they have built up as much of a database for those parts of the world.

I know quite a few Asian adoptees who have done this and its not very specific. For example - they got the result that they are "south east Asian". they already knew that. I am hoping it gets more specific over time.

This is us. Just 95 percent East Asian, with a rogue 5 percent Polynesian. The non-specificity was disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just did mine through Ancestry and was beyond disappointed with the 92% European Jewish outcome. I already knew I am Jewish, which I consider to be a religion and not nationality (which was what I was looking for). I did start building my family tree via their free 14 day access and found out 2 nationalities via the online census records I found. So I'm happy about that. I sent a kit to my sister too so we are expecting similar results. I was looking for a more specific country of origin instead of the broad European Jewish.

I don't believe that the results are country specific at this point. Just general areas - like Northern Europe, Southeast Asia, etc.

[Anonymous]

Also bear in mind that DNA results for ancestry are going back hundreds if not thousands of years. You'll never get DNA results that tell you which country your grandparents lived in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also bear in mind that DNA results for ancestry are going back hundreds if not thousands of years. You'll never get DNA results that tell you which country your grandparents lived in.

From Ancestry's website:

4. How is this DNA test going to help me with my research?

Your DNA may hold information to help make new discoveries about your family’s past, your cultural roots, as well as confirm information in your family tree. Using your DNA test in combination with an Ancestry subscription gives you hints that can guide your investigations and connect you with new relatives. These new relatives that you discover may have additional information, a piece of your family story to tell or photos to share.

Your DNA test results also provide information that’s more relevant and recent—targeting your family history a few hundred or even a thousand years ago, as compared to the Y-chromosome or mitochondrial DNA tests, which have a 10,000 to 50,000 year time focus.

[Anonymous]

^^ exactly. The DNA helped me with nothing. The tools on their site was helpful. Having results saying you're from Ireland, Norway, Scotland are much more helpful than European Jewish. This is just my opinion and a big waste of $100. Told me nothing i did not already know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just did mine through Ancestry and was beyond disappointed with the 92% European Jewish outcome. I already knew I am Jewish, which I consider to be a religion and not nationality (which was what I was looking for). I did start building my family tree via their free 14 day access and found out 2 nationalities via the online census records I found. So I'm happy about that. I sent a kit to my sister too so we are expecting similar results. I was looking for a more specific country of origin instead of the broad European Jewish.

I don't believe that the results are country specific at this point. Just general areas - like Northern Europe, Southeast Asia, etc.

I don't see how they can get country specific. In Europe for example - at least in Eastern Europe - the borders of all those countries were constantly shifting.

[Anonymous]

They should post all regions that can come back as results to be transparent. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have done the test for such generic and broad results.