My Ancestry Part III: It Arrived!

It's here! My DNA test!

I'm so ecstatic! I've been playing around with my cousin's FTDNA (Family Tree DNA) on GEDmatch.com. It's so interesting. Gedmatch.com is a website where people from different DNA testing companies can upload their raw DNA. They have a population finder, matches, and they even have an eye color predictor. All of this is free!

What I find most interesting about the website is their eye color predictor program. It even shows you what your genetic markers are for eye color, and you have several of them. The only down fall is that the old 23andme DNA test was the only test that tested more SNP (pronounced "snips") or single nucleotide polymorphism, the most common genetic variations among people, for eye color. I don't know many of my cousins on my grandmother's direct maternal side so I'm having fun looking up their SNP to see what traits they've inherited. So far, I have learned that one of my cousins inherited the recessive allele for light colored eyes! It makes me wonder what I have inherited considering the fact that my late great grandfather had blue tinted eyes and so does my grandmothers brother. My only hope is that Ancestry DNA tests the same or more SNP for genetic variations in my DNA so I too can know what recessive alleles I carry.

Speaking of SNP, 23andme, and alleles. 23andme updated their services and now offer more tests for their program! They continued their health services and is now the only DNA testing service that is FDA approved. The entire test costs $199. Tests include:

• Carrier reports that show if you carry a disease whether or not you have the disease or illness. Example - Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia, and Hereditary Hearing Loss.
• Ancestry Reports
• Wellness Reports   Example -Caffeine Consumption, Alcohol Flush Reaction, Lactose Intolerance, and Muscle Composition
• Traits Reports  Example - Hair: Curliness, Loss, and Color; Eye Color; Taste and Smell; and Facial features.

Honestly, I think the things that they test for are a bit creepy. It makes me wonder if they are going to start selecting people and their traits for breeding in the near future? There's going to be a day when they start cloning people too. Eugenics anyone?

I'm going to take my test and send it off. The process takes 6-8 weeks. I'll be updating you guys in the meantime. Ciao! 

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My Ancestry Part II: Searching for the right DNA test

So far, I have found three tests that I am interested in: FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and Ancestry DNA. All are interesting and have different tests that make them unique.

Right now, FamilyTreeDNA is the only major DNA testing site that tests for patrilineal and matrilineal haplogroups. Meaning that they only trace your direct maternal or paternal ancestry. Anyone that shares the same maternal or paternal markers means that you descend from the same paternal or maternal line. I'll be using this test to find out ( or at least try) who my paternal great grandfather is. I'm hoping I'll find at least a second or third cousin with the Y-111 marker test. I'm going to have to put this on hold, because to upgrade my Y-12 marker test it would cost me a whopping 389 dollars! It will be worth it though. FamilyTreeDNA boasts the largest genetic genealogy database. Don't be dismayed. I plan on upgrading within the next couple of months! In the meantime, I'll be upgrading to a Y-67 DNA test by the new year.

Ancestry is a major genealogy website with over a million documents and records. In 2013 they started offering genetic DNA testing and analysis. Your autosomal DNA results include ethnic regions such as the British Isles, Western Europe, Scandinavian, Benin, Mali, to Native American and Eastern and Western Asian. The test however does not include matrilineal and patrilineal haplogroups like FamilyTreeDNA, so you can't test direct paternal or maternal lineages. This test is great if you want to know your ethnic mix. I was just introduced to gedmatch.com where you can upload your raw Ancestry data and they'll give you more precise locations on where your ancestors were from.

23andme is another DNA testing website that I'll be using. They offer the same thing as Ancestry. They used to offer health reports, but discontinued the program. I'll be waiting for them to continue the program in the future. I already suggested that they should be able to test you for recessive genes like eye color and hair color. I have cousins with blonde hair and blue eyes. I want to know if I carry the gene. Oh, yeah! Just for fun, the test shows you how much cave man you are!


Next week, I'll order my Ancestry.com DNA test kit. I will be letting you all know what comes next! Thanks for reading!

                                               ----------------------------------------------------                                               FamilyTreeDNA.com Tests and Prices: 

Autosomal Test

Family Finder Test-$99

Mtdna(Maternal DNA Test) 

One test-$199

Ydna(Paternal DNA Test) 

$169-Y-37  test finds cousins starting at eight generations

$268-Y-67 test finds cousins starting at six generations

$359-Y-111 test finds cousins starting at four generations

*They no longer offer the $49 Y-12 test

Ancestry Tests and Prices
Autosomal Test
Ancestry DNA $99
Genealogy Membership
$20/month U.S. Discovery
$35/month World Explorer
$50/month All Access

23andMe Tests and Prices
Autosomal Test
23andMe Genealogy DNA Test $99
23andMe Health DNA Test On hold