DNA testing: Let's revisit it.

[CBHagman]

Let me say up front that I have not undergone any DNA testing whatsoever myself and therefore have no opinions on any of the available tests. However, today I had a rather intriguing conversation with two people who had undergone testing, including one who had used 23andMe, and it left me wondering whether putting off testing any longer was such a good idea.

Opinions, please, on current tests available and whether they were worth your while.

And while I was wandering around the Internets, I found the following advice on how to proceed if cost is an issue:

[url]http://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2014/04/06/2014-most-bang-for-dna-bucks/[/url]

I'm still not sure where I stand on the use of 23andMe, even though I only want the results for genealogy purposes and not for health advice. In any event, here's a little recent update from Forbes:

[url]http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2013/12/05/23andme-stops-offering-genetic-tests-related-to-health/[/url]

[kickysnana]

1. Just got a report late tonight from 123andme

I immediately saw some Norwegian cousins doing ancestry there but not much luck identifying with the rest of the families yet but I will try to remember to let you know how it goes down the line after I send out some messages to people to whom I am more closely matched.

It says that I have 0% Native American ancestry. That was worth knowing for some of my brick walls. I am in the 75th percentile of folks tested for Neanderthal DNA there. No surprises otherwise. Now I know my Grandpa was just kidding when he said some of his relatives were waiting to greet the settlers at Jamestown.

[csziggy]

2. Do you agree with the Legal Genealogist on testing?

She recommends:

Step 1. Test with AncestryDNA first. It’ll cost you $99. (The big change for 2014 is that you can no longer use 23andMe for this first step because its raw data today using its new V4 testing chip isn’t compatible with the Family Tree DNA system.)

Step 2. The minute you get your results from the first test, transfer your raw data to Family Tree DNA for $69. When I say “transfer,” that doesn’t end your matches at the other company, it just gets you into the Family Tree DNA system with all of its benefits.

Step 3. When you can afford it, test with 23andMe for another $99.

My sister has been talking about getting tested, but she's not a member of Ancestry so has no tree to link to. I'm not clear if I could link her data to my tree. When we talked today, my sister sounded more interested in the National Geographic project, but that wouldn't help much for our genealogy. We pretty much know what our general ancestry is - Northern European, English, Welsh, Irish, German, and a little French.

The one thing Nat Geo DNA could eliminate is the persistent rumor among some of my distant cousin that we are descended from Native Americans. From my research I am sure there is no NA in our background.

I'd like to see what my DNA might tell, but haven't made the jump into the DNA part of genealogy. I'd mostly want to connect the data to my family tree. So the idea of doing Ancestry DNA, then taking it into Family Tree DNA is attractive at that price!

[CBHagman]

3. I haven't looked into the so-called benefits of the Family Tree DNA system.

In fact aside from reading the odd article about genealogical DNA tests, plus the summary of my second cousin's 23andMe results, I'm really not caught up enough on the research. Ideally I'd like to embark on DNA testing as a project with one of my siblings, because one set of grandparents came from Hungary and I think there's fun to be had with that side of the family, ethnically speaking.

I also tend to shop around before I spend that amount of money on something strictly voluntary.

[csziggy]

4. Aside from the hope it could give clues on my brick walls

I don't see a compelling reason to get DNA testing. But my sister has been talking it up. I sent her the article and she go onto the autosomal DNA that Nat Geo does as being better. Her motivations are completely different than mine so I told her if she wants to go ahead for the Nat Geo test. She has the money to spend on it.

I'm very tempted to try the Ancestry then port it over to Family Tree DNA for the first two steps that the Legal Genealogist recommends. If it helps at all with knocking down brick walls, that's be great. But I just spent a bunch on a new all in one printer scanner that scans 11" x 17" for my old scrapbooks. I've had little time for genealogy since last August what with all the scanner and organizing those scans I've done.

Maybe in the fall. Waiting won't hurt - the price keeps going down!