How to Navigate the World of DNA Testing
Unraveling the mysteries of your ancestry and heritage has never been easier, thanks to the advancements in DNA testing and genetic genealogy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, from taking a DNA test to using the results to confirm and expand your family tree.
Step 1: Choosing a DNA Test
The first step on your DNA journey is selecting a reputable DNA testing company. Popular options include AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA. Each company offers different features and focuses on specific aspects of ancestry. Consider your primary goals and budget when making your decision. For the purposes of doing genetic genealogy, LinksDNA recommends starting with Ancestry. Ancestry allows you to download your results, which you can then upload to MyHeritage, FTDNA, and GEDMatch, which we highly recommend. If you have the budget (wait for a sale), then you can also test on 23andMe. Some folks just test there for their health traits and are not really interested in genealogy, but it is a place to find additional matches.
Step 2: Taking the DNA Test
Once you’ve chosen a company, you’ll receive a DNA test kit in the mail. The kit will include instructions for collecting a saliva sample or a cheek swab. Follow the instructions carefully and, return the sample to the company for analysis. Make sure you register the kit before you do anything else, and set up your account. When possible, we instruct our clients to also test the eldest relatives on one or both sides of their family. If you have an unknown parent, test the other parent or an aunt/uncle/cousin on that side. The older the better! If you are an adoptee, then the only test you need is your own, no need to test your children or grandchildren.
Step 3: Receiving Your DNA Results
After a few weeks, you’ll receive an email notification that your DNA results are ready. Log into your account on the DNA testing company’s website to view your results. Your results will include information about your ethnicity estimate, DNA matches, and other genetic traits. Now you can get to work on sorting your matches. There are many ways to do this, but that is for another post. If this step is too confusing, you can reach out to LinksDNA to get help!
Step 4: Understanding Your Ethnicity Estimate
Your ethnicity estimate will provide a breakdown of your ancestral origins, often displayed as a percentage of different regions or ethnic groups – in IGG, we call this your BioAncestry. Keep in mind that these estimates are based on current data and algorithms and may change over time as more data becomes available. There are lots of blogs and articles about this, so we won’t get too deep into the weeds here. But you can use this data when looking at your matches to determine how they might fit into your tree. For those from endogamous* populations, your DNA matches will be a little more difficult to navigate. OK, a lot more challenging, but don’t be discouraged!
*Endogamy occurs when mating takes place within a socially or geographically isolated group, often due to religious, cultural, or circumstantial factors. Examples include the Amish, Ashkenazi Jewish communities, and island populations such as those in Puerto Rico.
Step 5: Exploring Your DNA Matches
Your DNA matches are individuals who share a certain amount of DNA with you, indicating a potential familial relationship. The closer the match, a higher centimorgan (cM) number, and the more recent your common ancestor. Each DNA match will include an estimated relationship, such as close family, first cousin, second cousin, etc. These are just estimates, and you should do further research to determine the exact relationship. DNA Painter has many useful tools to get you started.
Step 6: Sorting Your DNA Matches
We highly recommend you build out your family tree as best you can before you test, so you can have a better understanding of where some of these matches might be placed. To make sense of your DNA matches, it’s helpful to sort them systematically, using something like Ancestry’s coloring coding system or the Leeds Method by Dana Leeds. You can also use tools like Ancestry’s “ThruLines” or MyHeritage’s “Theory of Family Relativity” to identify potential common ancestors – but all of these tools are based on DNA matches that have built-out trees, which aren’t always accurate. So, proceed with caution.
Step 7: Connecting with DNA Matches
If you’re interested in learning more about a DNA match, you can send a message through the DNA testing company’s website. Be respectful and polite when reaching out, and explain why you’re interested in connecting. Most importantly, don’t reach out until you understand how genetic genealogy works, so you can explain the potential relationship. The more knowledgeable you are, the more likely you are to get an answer. Pro tip: “How are we related?” usually doesn’t elicit a response!
Step 8: Using Genetic Genealogy to Confirm Your Family Tree
Genetic genealogy combines DNA results with traditional genealogical research to build and confirm family trees. By comparing your DNA matches with your family tree, you can identify common ancestors and trace your lineage back through generations. This is what we love about DNA testing, not only does it allow adoptees to help find their biological family, but also it can help confirm your known family lines.
Step 9: Expanding Your Family Tree
As you connect with DNA matches and explore your genetic genealogy, you’ll likely discover new branches of your family tree. Be open to the possibility of unexpected connections and embrace the richness of your diverse ancestry. If you do have surprise results and need help navigating those matches, LinksDNA can help you with that journey. From our own personal experiences, and the diverse array of clients we have helped, we understand the nuances and landscape of DNA testing and the new links it brings with it.
TL;DR
Embarking on your DNA journey can be an exciting and rewarding experience. By following these steps and using the tools of genetic genealogy, you can uncover the secrets of your ancestry or use cutting-edge science to confirm what you already know, and build a deeper connection to your family history. Understanding your roots helps can help one move forward in life.
Contact LinksDNA today for more information and let us help you with your DNA journey.