This product was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
Last month, I received a kit from Ancestry.com to be able to test my DNA. I couldn’t wait to unlock the ability to find out my genetic ethnicity! (Read my first post here).
AncestryDNA is a new DNA testing service that utilizes some of the latest autosomal testing technology to revolutionize the way you discover your family history. This service combines advanced DNA science with the world’s largest online family history resource to predict your genetic ethnicity and help you find new family connections. It maps ethnicity going back multiple generations and provides insight into such possibilities as: what region of Europe are my ancestors from, or am I likely to have East Asian heritage? AncestryDNA can also help identify relationships with unknown relatives through a dynamic list of possible DNA member matches.
When I received my kit in the mail, it took very little time to complete the test (using saliva), pack it in the provided box, and send it back in. The kit has everything you need, complete with thorough instructions. The website notifies you when your test is ready, and estimates a 6-8 week wait.
As soon as my test was ready, I was bursting at the seams to see what my ethnicity breakdown was! As you can see, my ethnicity is European, and Ancestry breaks it down by area.
There are lots of tools to help break down your ethnicity – like a breakdown with maps. So as you can see, I am “51% Great Britain”, and that likely includes England, Scotland, and Wales, but can include other countries. I do know I have ancestors from the Isle of Man, so it helps to solidify those connections.
There is also a lot of historical information, so if you aren’t familiar with different areas you can read up on them, including how populations moved throughout the world.
This DNA breakdown – even just the brief amount of information about the percentage breakdown of my ethnicity – is VERY helpful. My parents have passed and I know absolutely nothing about my father’s side of the family, so this is huge. Another answered question is if I had any American Indian ethnicity, which clearly did not show up in my results. (There could have been some American Indian ethnicity many generations ago, or perhaps a very small percentage, but nothing significant. If you check out my last Ancestry post, there is a useful video about how common it is for people to hear of an older family member being American Indian, but often turned out not to be the case).
I was completely surprised by the results, so it was fun but also useful as far as actually really knowing my ethnicity.
My husband also got his results, and so it is really cool that we can share this information with our family and pass it down to our children. As you can see he is also 100% European in his results.
Now that we know our ethnic results, some things start to make more sense – like why our one daughter is so fair and blond, while the rests of us have dark hair. The results say that we have a combined 30% Scandanavian heritage, which is funny after hearing so many comments over the years how our daughter looks so Scandanavian especially compared to the rest of us (as she is therefore about 15% Scandanavian).
And on the flip side, now other family members (older members) are planning to get tested, as they are surprised by our results.
The Ancestry DNA test has been a lot of fun and is so informative. I recommend it to anyone, as it can help you build your family tree and know where your ancestors came from.
I will be writing about how I am using my test results together with my Ancestry membership to work on my family tree.
Read my last post here about taking the Ancestry DNA test.
Discover your ethnic origins with AncestryDNA.
Use my link – you’ll save 10% and I’ll get $10. https://t.co/QBdCxSZU0i
Visit Ancestry at www.Ancestry.com, and Ancestry DNA at www.AncestryDNA.com
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This product was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to generate a really good
article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot
and don’t manage to get anything done.
That is so cool! I’ve done 21 and me a few months ago, the results are extensive, i love it.
Very cool! I had mine done a couple of years ago. I find it all fascinating!
Oh wow what an incredible thing to do. Must feel so empowering to know your DNA breakdown. I know I have a big mix in me but haven’t yet done this – would be great to find out exactly what my make up is.
These kits are really popular. My parents have done theirs. It was really interesting to see the results.
I’ve always wanted to do one of these tests. I’ll definitely check out ancestry.com I’m interested to know my results.
The DNA ancestry test looks so interesting and is something I have been waiting to try myself to see what the results would show
It is nice that you are interested in your ancestry and that it helped to make things make sense to you 🙂
What an amazing look into your path! DNA Ancestry is something I have always been curious about, so it’s great to hear a review!
I would love to do this to trace my ancestry. I am curious to know about the origin of my blood line.
These tests intrigue me! I would love to do one! My aunt did do a massive family tree for us so we know we have a lot of different cultures mixed together but will still be interesting to see.