Genetic Genealogy: Which DNA Test is Right for You?

Taking the plunge into the world of genetic genealogy can seem like a daunting task. You are confronted with various options… AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) all promise to unlock your family history, but each serve slightly different purposes. It’s important to make the right choice in order to give yourself the best possible platform from which you can grow your family tree.

What is an Autosomal Test?

Before we explore the ‘Big Four’ companies, let’s look under the bonnet at the ‘engine’ that powers them all: Autosomal DNA.

Autosomal DNA is 50% of your DNA inherited from your mother and 50% inherited from your father – a blend of their 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes.

When you buy a standard kit from Ancestry or 23andMe, you are taking an autosomal test. Think of this as an all-rounder. Unlike other specialised tests that only look at your father’s father or your mother’s mother, an autosomal test looks at the DNA you inherited from both of your parents. It covers your entire family tree and is the best for finding cousins and verifying your ancestors within the last 5 to 7 generations. Whether you are looking for a connection to a great-grandmother in Tyrone or a 3rd cousin in New York, autosomal DNA is the tool that builds those bridges.

Let’s break down the ‘Big Four’ to find the perfect fit for your research goals.

1. AncestryDNA

If your goal is to build an extensive family tree and find specific ancestors, this is almost always the best place to start.

• They have the largest database in the world (over 25 million people).
• Their “ThruLines” feature compares your DNA matches with their massive collection of public family trees to literally suggest how you might be related.
• It’s best for people who want to find cousins and verify their family tree.

As they have so many users, if you have a ‘mystery’ branch, your best chance of finding a match is here.

2. 23andMe

23andMe is less about family trees and more about you as a biological person.

• It has very high-tech ancestral breakdowns and excellent health reports.
• Their “Chromosome Painter” is top-tier. It shows you exactly which pieces of DNA come from which ethnicity.
  It’s best for people interested in health predispositions, traits and precise ethnicity percentages.

It’s important to note that many users here are not looking for genealogy; they just want to see their health reports, so they might not respond to your messages.

3. MyHeritage

If you have roots in Ireland, the UK or mainland Europe, do not overlook MyHeritage.

• Based in Israel, they are the go-to test for people living outside the United States.
• Their Genetic Groups are incredibly specific. They can often pinpoint the exact county in Ireland or a specific valley in Italy.
• It’s best for people looking for international cousins or those who have hit a wall with American-centric databases.

MyHeritage currently allows you to upload raw DNA files from Ancestry, 23andMe, and FamilyTreeDNA but sometimes pause the service during major sales or if they are updating their matching algorithms. It is also worth noting that while the upload is often free, seeing the your DNA Matches or using MyHeritage tools usually requires a one-time unlock fee (around €29) or a full subscription.

4. FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA)

FTDNA is the only one of the big four that offers specific Y-DNA (paternal line) and mtDNA (maternal line) testing.

• It offers a smaller but highly dedicated group of serious genealogists.
• Surname Projects – you can join a group of other O’Briens or McEnroes to see how you all connect back hundreds of years.

FTDNA is best for males wanting to trace their direct surname line (Y-DNA) or anyone wanting to keep their data in a genealogy-focused ecosystem.

COMPARISON TABLE

My Recommended Strategy for your DNA Journey

If you are just starting, here is my recommended path:

1. Start with AncestryDNA. You need that big database to find your initial matches.
2. Download your Raw Data. Once your results are in, Ancestry allows you to download your DNA file for free.
3. Upload to FTDNA and GEDmatch. You don’t need to buy new kits! You can upload your Ancestry data to these sites (usually for free or a small fee) to find even more cousins. (See GEDmatch for Beginners: How to Upload DNA & Find More Matches)

While Ancestry and 23andMe are great for finding cousins, FamilyTreeDNA is the only one of the ‘Big Four’ that offers specialized Y-DNA and mtDNA testing.

Still undecided? Drop a comment below and tell me what you’re trying to find, whether it’s a missing grandfather or your Irish clan, and I’ll help you pick the DNA test that’s right for you.