AncestryDNA Test on sale for $79...

...plus shipping! And  the offer is only available through the link in an email. This info just came to me about an hour ago and I have no idea how they chose the recipients of the email notice. I've already tested so perhaps they believe I'll  but more tests for family and friends?

It'd really like to know how their sales fluctuate since they seem to have this "20% off" deal quite frequently. So much so that I nearly always advise people who have interest in the test to wait for a holiday or even call them up and simply request the test at the sale price.

All I can be sure of is that  by comparing the results I received from AncestryDNA to the results from FamilyTreeDNA and 23andMe the most recent results seem to be more accurate. I tested long ago with NatGeo whose results also parallel those of the other major testing labs. I am predominantly Northern European with just a smattering of Eastern European and almost a full half of a percent of Ashkenazi Jew.

Would I recommend one over the other? The famous answer to that is "That depends." It depends, of course, on your needs or your motivation. AncestryDNA is a relatively simple (and inexpensive) "cousin finder" inasmuch as they only test autosomal DNA. Autosomal lives in the nucleus and is the DNA that is 50% Mom and 50% Dad. If you follow that out several generations, the logic dictates that your autosomal is 25% from each of your 4 grandparents, 12.5% from each of your 8 great grandparents, 6.75% from each of your 16 2nd great-grandparents and so on. That same logic demonstrates that the accuracy of discovering 4th, 5th or earlier generations is relatively remote at best. However, since Ancestry.com has a significant data base of family trees, some of which are reasonably accurate, there's also a reasonable chance you'll be able to discover some new relationships up to about 4th cousins or so. But don't try to prove you're descended from Charlemagne with the AncestryDNA test!!

The other companies' tests can be more expensive, but the testing is a great deal more complex. Just keep in mind the Y-DNA is specifically for your paternal line. Why (couldn't resist the pun)? Because only men have Y-DNA. That's what makes the men men! It is the 23rd of  the23 chromosomes in the nucleus of each cell.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), on the other hand, lives outside the nucleus but still within the cell itself. EVERYONE has mitochondrial but  ONLY the females transmit it, thereby giving us all a genetic map to our mother's mother and her mother as well, back many generations of mothers

.

It starts to get a little technical from here on, but it may be enough to help you make a decision...hopefully!

Major Changes at 23andMe

Roberta Estes is a very competent genealogist with extensive credentials in the field. If you're familiar with her blog "DNAeXplained - Genetic Genealogy"you'll likely agree. If you're not familiar  but have interest in DNA and DNA research, I suggest you go to her blog and subscribe.

Rather than have me attempt to describe the goings-on at 23andMe, I thought it would be best to simply offer the link to that specific blog to read at your leisure. All you have to do is click here.
She'll do a much better job that I could ever accomplish!

 

"Fishing" in all the DNA "Ponds"

Every day, I receive an e-mail containing the post from Judy G. Russell, the Legal Genealogist.  As a matter of fact, that's the name of her blog, "The Legal Genealogist".  I like her posts for a number of reasons.  First, she writes in "English".  By that I mean you can understand what she's trying to say.  In spite of the fact...or perhaps because of the fact...that she's an attorney, she has a great sense of humor and a unique ability to convey a story or explain an issue in easy to understand language.  She is a classy lecturer with a message, many messages as a matter of fact!  My wife and I have listened to her a number of times and we always come away with a good understanding of the subject matter.

Today's blog is entitled "Baiting the Hook" which I advise you to read...it'll take about 4 minutes.  Just click the title and you'll be taken there.  After you read "Baiting the Hook", I'm pretty sure you'll want to follow her.  She covers many genealogical subjects and legal issues that can help anyone with their research.

After reading today's post, I feel better that I've tested with 2 companies, FamilyTreeDNA and 23andMe.  And now I'm encouraged to test with Ancestry DNA even though they got off to a horrific start!

Let me know what you think!

Related articles

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• "Family History and DNA" Day at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree
• From RootsTech 2014: Judy Russell Discusses Scots-Irish Storytelling
• SSDI Access is Now Limited
• The Legal Genealogist
• Parent's Rights versus Grandparent's Interests - Insights from the Law
• Cemetery Photos: Is Permission Required?

"Fishing" in all the DNA "Pools"

Every day, I receive an e-mail containing the post from Judy G. Russell, the Legal Genealogist.  As a matter of fact, that's the name of her blog, "The Legal Genealogist".  I like her posts for a number of reasons.  First, she writes in "English".  By that I mean you can understand what she's trying to say.  In spite of the fact...or perhaps because of the fact...that she's an attorney, she has a great sense of humor and a unique ability to convey a story or explain an issue in easy to understand language.  She is a classy lecturer with a message, many messages as a matter of fact!  My wife and I have listened to her a number of times and we always come away with a good understanding of the subject matter.



Today's blog is entitled "Baiting the Hook" which I advise you to read...it'll take about 4 minutes.  Just click the title and you'll be taken there.  After you read "Baiting the Hook", I'm pretty sure you'll want to follow her.  She covers many genealogical subjects and legal issues that can help anyone with their research.

 

After reading today's post, I feel better that I've tested with 2 companies, FamilyTreeDNA and 23andMe.  And now I'm encouraged to test with Ancestry DNA even though they got off to a horrific start!

 

Let me know what you think!

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• AncestryDNA Rolls Out "Update"


• "Family History and DNA" Day at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree


• From RootsTech 2014: Judy Russell Discusses Scots-Irish Storytelling


• SSDI Access is Now Limited


• The Legal Genealogist


• Parent's Rights versus Grandparent's Interests - Insights from the Law


• Cemetery Photos: Is Permission Required?

FamilyTreeDNA offers "Black Friday" Discounts

Sounds like every retailer in the universe is getting Black Friday Fever!  Here's a link to FamilyTreeDNA to read about what they're offering "today only"!

"Family Finder" is their terminology for an autosomal DNA test.  See?  "Family Finder" is easier to say!  But the difference between Y-DNA and mtDNA tests is this: Of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus of the human gene, one pair is the sex chromosome the "X-X" or the "X-Y" .  Y-DNA is carried only by and passed along by males.  the mtDNA is actually outside the nucleus and is passed down only by the female but both males and females have the identical mtDNA.  So what about the fact that both Mon and Dad pass down various traits?  That's where autosomal DNA plays a part.  That is where the half contributed by Mom and combines with the half contributed by Dad.  This allows the science of DNA to predict (nothing is an absolute!) who your ancestors might be.

Avoid the throngs!  Shop on-line at FamilyTreeDNA!!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Animation of the structure of a section of DNA. The bases lie horizontally between the two spiraling strands. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

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• DNA Tests for Genealogy are Now Available on MyHeritage.com, Geni.com and WorldVitalRecords.com (eogn.com)


• Finding a Few Hundred Cousins (themarshallfiles.wordpress.com)


• When is a Wolf Not a Wolf? (psychologytoday.com)

Quick Note! FamilyTreeDNA Offers Huge Discount on All Tests

Just a quick note:  I found this in my backlogged e-mail tonight.  Click "Continue reading" to activate this link: http://bit.ly/1bd0Elo.  For a short period of time, FamilyTreeDNA is offering significant discounts on a variety of tests but the orders need to be placed and paid by December 31, 2013.

Let me know what you think!

[polldaddy poll=7587544]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="203"] My Neanderthal DNA (Photo credit: jurvetson)[/caption]

Related articles

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FamilyTreeDNA - Affordable Breast Cancer Risk Test

Please take a look at this letter I received in my e-mail today from FamilyTreeDNA. As a FamilyTreeDNA customer, I'm on their mailing list. The letter is self-explanatory.

***

Hello,


It's rare that I send 'blast emails', but if there was ever a time in my life that called for a broad based blast, now is that time. I want to share with you an important campaign www.freemygenes.org that I have started, to raise awareness to an alarming situation.

About 10 weeks ago the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decided that “isolated human genes cannot be patented.”

That same day our DNA testing company launched a breast cancer test that was far more affordable than previous offered tests. Our precedent-setting reduction in price meant that millions of Americans who previously could not get the test--because their insurance company wouldn't pay, or because they lacked insurance--now had access to a high quality test for breast cancer risk.

Myriad Genetics sued us and others for offering this test and although we are not looking for a fight, we are now forced to defend ourselves and feel morally obligated to bring the world a more affordable test. As a child of the 60s, I can tell you that if there ever was a fight worth fighting, this is it.

I urge you to visit our site: www.freemygenes.org and familiarize yourself with the situation as it has unfolded and I urge you to share this information with others. Our actions are based on two key points: genetic testing should be affordable and available to everyone; and test providers should share data to enable better tests for consumers.

To help us promote the effort we ask that you LIKE our page and update your FB profile picture to reflect our cause. Details are on the website.

I am humbled by the volunteers who have stepped forward to help us with this case so far, including the ACLU, AARP, and the Breast Cancer Action. Now it's your turn. Please do so as soon as you have the opportunity to get online. Thank you very much for your support.

Best Regards,

Bennett Greenspan
President
Family Tree DNA
www.familytreedna.com
"History Unearthed Daily"

DNA --- Getting Enough Bang for your Genealogical Buck

I've posted a few...make that VERY few...comments in the area of DNA and DNA testing. I have opinions (everybody's got 'em and well, you know the expression!) but what I lack is an understanding that's deep enough to offer advice. That aspect I'll leave to others.

There are 2 experts to whom I have no qualms whatsoever sending anyone with an interest in this area. The first I've spoken of recently and that would be Roberta Estes. Her expertise is, perhaps, second to none. Here's her blog in case it needs repeating:

http://dna-explained.com/

The other is "The Legal Genealogist." Judy G. Russell is a Certified Genealogist and a Certified Genealogical Lecturer with a law degree. I've participated in a number of her webinars (always worth the time) and listened to her in person (Always worth the time). She speaks in a broad range of genealogical topics with style, expertise and a witty, clever, humorous style. At any rate, here's her latest blog from "The Legal Genealogist" with an update on the value of various DNA testing companies:

http://tinyurl.com/mbtpl8k ( I used "TinyURL.com" to shorten a 192 letter long URL!)

Both of these experts are well worth following and well worth the time!

And don't forget http://www.oldbones.co" title="Old Bones Genealogy and Family Research of New England


By the way, I tried to use the WORDPRESS "link" feature, but it doesn't seem to want to cooperate today! If you received multiple notice for this blog, I apologize.... Another technology melt-down...what a surprise!!

Family Tree DNA Levels the Playing Field...Sort Of

The article linked below is authored by blogger, scientist and DNA expert, Roberta Estes. If you have any interest at all in DNA, you should follow her blog. She writes in simple, down to earth language with a bit of humor and the complete understanding that her audience is largely composed of people like me who want to know the subject but don't necessarily want a PhD in DNA research!! It's easy to skim the articles and by-pass anything that looks too much like biology homework!!

Family Tree DNA Levels the Playing Field...Sort Of.

DNA from 23andMe

My DNA has been analyzed by at least 4 different companies including FamilytreeDNA and others. The most interesting is the report from the latest test from 23andMe. That's the company that focuses primarily on health issues. So now I know what diseases or conditions I have a genetic propensity to acquire or carry already. It doesn't mean that as I sit here, I should worry obsessively about the results, but I will definitely say that the reports are pretty reassuring as to many health issues that were (and may still be) a possibility. The fact that I have successfully survived the last 60 years relatively unscathed is pretty good news! It's the next 60 years that I'm a little concerned about...

There's one aspect of the 23andMe test that is particularly intriguing. It just so happens that I have a very high percentage of some very ancient DNA. As a matter of fact, it puts me in the 88th percentile of people of European descent who have Neanderthal DNA! I'm 3% Neanderthal! I no longer have to wonder why I possess certain physical "characteristics"! I'm not talking about a thick uni-brow or a short forehead or even a small head! I don't know what language, if any, they spoke but I certainly don't speak it!!

I guess I'm really not sure what it means other than the facts as they revealed themselves in the scientific analysis. It won't change my life; it doesn't explain any of my talents or abilities, limited as they may be; it doesn't have any affect on me whatsoever other than the fact that I just ordered a polo shirt with the "3% NEANDERTHAL DNA" emblazoned on the chest.