What are the best ways to discover my ancestry?

The most convenient way to discover your ancestry is to use DNA sites that offer DNA testing, family tree building and record browsing, and other services. Another option is to ask other family members if they have any knowledge of your family’s history that could help answer specific questions. Some websites also allow you to hire genealogists to help trace family history.

Ancestry.com https://www.ancestry.com/

AncestryDNA is the most popular genetic testing company and has the largest reference set. The company evaluates saliva samples that its customers send in and compares the DNA in those samples to others’ DNA in its reference set. The results reveal a person’s ethnicity estimate as well as their DNA matches. Results typically take about six weeks to be released. There are multiple kits to choose from with the standard Ancestry DNA kit costing $99, the AncestryDNA + Individual Membership kit being $100, and the AncestryDNA with Family Membership kit worth $199.

23andMe https://www.23andme.com/

23andMe is one of the most popular genetic testing services. For DNA testing, it uses the DNA in your saliva and compares to a multitude of people in the company’s database. Once you order the DNA kit, you will receive a saliva tube that will be mailed off to their genetic testing lab. It typically takes about four to six weeks for the results to be released. In a standard kit that costs about $100, you’ll receive trait reports, ethnicity estimates, DNA relatives match results, and a family tree builder. 23andMe also has paternal and maternal haplogroup information. 23andMe offers more detailed kits such as 23andMe Premium and 23andMe+ Total Health which detail health risk information and other personalized health information.

MyHeritage https://www.myheritage.com

MyHeritage works by isolating and amplifying the DNA that you provide with a cotton swab of the inside of your cheek before comparing your specific DNA framework with others to compose your Ethnicity Estimate and DNA Matches. The Ethnicity Estimate is a set of percentages assigned to specific countries/regions around the world and give an indication as to how much DNA you share with those locations, whereas DNA Matches reveal people in the MyHeritage DNA database that share a notable amount of DNA segments with you and are therefore your relatives. MyHeritage results take about four weeks to be sent. The standard cost for MyHeritage is $89 in addition to shipping costs.

Family Tree DNA https://www.familytreedna.com/

Family Tree DNA works by using your DNA from a cheek swab to break down your genetic makeup. It will show a map that highlights your ethnicity regions and gives a percentage of how closely that area is assigned to your DNA. This company can provide maternal and

paternal haplogroup information regarding migration of maternal-line and paternal-line ancestors. Family Tree DNA gives a list of your DNA relatives that shows relationships in families. Family Tree DNA tests take about four weeks to see the results. The standard Family Tree DNA test costs $79.