The 5 Best Ancestry DNA Test Kits To Explore Your Genetic Heritage In 2018

Why Take a DNA Ancestry Test?

There are lots of reasons people choose to go down the path of DNA ancestry testing. Often times, it’s because they are curious to find out where their family comes from. Because of migration patterns changing over the years, it is no longer enough to simply trace back your family tree, as the roots go much deeper than that.

Back in the day, a DNA heritage test would have been an unattainable dream for most of us, but thanks to modern technology, like the internet and social media, some of the best DNA testing kits are now easily available online for everyone. Your DNA holds the key to where you came from, and a DNA testing kit will show you exactly that.

With DNA heritage tests being so easily affordable, you can see why an increasing amount of people are looking for DNA testing in order to put the puzzle pieces of their family tree together. So why not surprise your parents and even your grandparents by shedding some light on this topic?

Check out some of the best DNA testing kits available, and make your life a little bit less of a mystery.

What Your DNA Testing Kit Can Tell You

Each testing kit provides different end results for you and some are better than others depending on what you’re after.

Here is what you can find out with different testing kits:

• Ethnic Heritage Analysis
• Food Sensitivities
• Genetic Health Issues
• Predisposition to Diseases
• Genetic Mutations
• Risks for Cancers
• Fertility Issues

DNA Testing Myths Debunked

There are a lot of rumors going around about the so-called dangers of DNA testing. Can you guess which of the following claims are true and which are not?

• You can use DNA testing to solve a murder in about an hour, CSI style.

False. These tests take at least three to eight weeks to complete, so you might have to wait a little longer, Nancy Drew.

• You can earn money from your DNA data.

True. Cha-Ching! Some companies offer money in return for your DNA data for research purposes. This is usually related to health studies.

• Your DNA might one day catch a criminal.

True. Hey, it might not take an hour, but sometimes you can come out on top. One case ended with the arrest of the suspected Golden State Killer after investigators used his DNA from back in the 80s to find matches for relatives online.

• You can find relatives you didn’t know existed.

True. You might not know this, but a lot of testing services actually allow for customers to see whether they might be related to other users of the same service. Don’t worry, this is only for people who log their information into the system and want it there.

• You have no privacy once your DNA results are “out there”.

False. This is completely untrue. Your DNA results are yours only and will remain so until you change your mind. In fact, there are numerous laws in place to protect your ownership of your DNA data.

How Do DNA Kits Work?

Interested in finding out where your roots come from? It’s all fairly simple.

When it comes to your DNA testing kit it’s important to do your research and choose the best DNA test company for your needs.

Let’s have a look at some of the common procedures that you will find across the board in all DNA testing kits. They are:

• A simple questionnaire
• Instructions for collecting your DNA sample
• A guide for how to register your DNA kit and return it to the company
• An explanation of your impending results

After collecting your DNA sample and sending it back to the company, all you have to do is wait for the results to come back and tell you where your ancestors came from.

Possible Restrictions for Users

When comparing these home DNA testing kits, it turned out that the biggest difference was in regards to the sample collection process and shipping instructions. This is because some of the testing providers might have limitations imposed by the local government.

It is worth noting that back in the day there were various laws which banned people from sending DNA testing for health and safety reasons. However, this is something that is not relevant in most states. To be on the safe side, check your local laws just to make sure.

After you’ve shipped off your sample, you will get a confirmation email that lets you know it has been received. Then you kick back and wait for your results to come, which can take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks.  .

Protecting Your Privacy

All of these DNA testing providers look out for their customer’s privacy, which is why it’s mandatory to fill out a registration form which will link it to your identity. When you send your kit back and when the tests arrive in the mail for you, they will not contain your name so as to protect your privacy completely.

Different Types of DNA Tests

DNA testing can be used for various reasons, so we have broken down the different DNA tests that might suit you:

1. Autosomal DNA

This is the most common DNA test. It will reveal where in the world your family DNA derives from and is known as the DNA ethnicity test. Both males and females can take this test and receive the same type of results.

The autosomal DNA test is only useful to trace back relatives like third or fourth cousins, as it only goes back about four or five generations. You will, however, find out how closely you are related to another person. This is fantastic if you do not know a lot about your parents or grandparents.

It will also tell you where in the world your ancestors lived during the past few hundred (or thousand) years

2. mtDNA:

Also known as the mitochondrial DNA test, this only looks into the DNA data that comes from your mother’s side. It will reveal information to do with everything tracing down your mother’s line, but will not be able to give you information for any males.

It will also reveal how closely you are related to a single common ancestor (or haplogroup).

This means that you can find out where your maternal line originated, sometimes tracing back as far as 10,000 years

3. Y-DNA:

This is what we generally refer to as a paternity test. As we have 23 chromosomes, the last is divided into X for women and Y for men. This test only searches the Y chromosomes.

This will tell you just how close you are related to someone with the same surname. It is very useful for people who have been adopted or are looking into their Jewish ancestry.

What Makes a DNA Test Great?

There are a few factors to take into consideration when taking a DNA test, so we pulled together the elements we thought were the most important.. Here are the top six factors we explored when looking for the best of the best.

1. The Sample

It is important that this part of the process is as hassle-free as possible. Although home DNA test kits take saliva or skin samples, some of them are more of a pain than others. Some people prefer to give a spit sample, where others would rather opt for a cheek swab, so it’s important to find out which type your DNA test company offers.

2. Information Needed

Obviously, the more information you can provide, the more results you will receive. But not everyone has access to all of their ancestral information. . Digging up various info about yourself can be time-consuming and downright impossible for some. That’s why it’s important to look for services that are flexible with how much information they’ll require from you.

3. Simplicity of Returns

You have to send your DNA sample back to the company for analysis, and some companies make this process easier than others. Things like a pre-addressed envelope are made returning your sample effortless.

4. The Waiting Game

Depending on how urgently you want your results back, you need to check the time it takes for the DNA test company to get back to you. All companies will give you an expected range of time to receive your results.

5. Extras

We love a service that goes out of their way to provide customers with that something extra. Some home DNA testing services provide things like mobile services and family tree builders.

6. The Privacy Policy

There is nothing more important than looking after the privacy of the individuals using a service, especially when we are talking about something as sensitive as DNA. Be sure to check the company’s privacy policy to see exactly what they can and cannot do with your data once they have it.

The Best DNA Testing Kits

#1 MyHeritage DNA

<< Last Minute Christmas Sale!!! , Only $59 + Free Shipping >>

Known as a competitively priced option for DNA testing and with billions of international records, MyHeritage automatically searches for family tree updates in its database, alerting you of these by email.

• Genetic Markers Checked: 690,000
• Geographic Regions Covered: 42
• Database Size: 1,500,000
• Family Tree Integration: Yes
• Ancestral Makeup Report: Yes
• Paternal Lineage Available: No
• Maternal Lineage Available: No
• Neanderthal Percentage: No
• List of all products available + pricing:
  • DNA Test Kit – $79 $59 (Excludes taxes and shipping)
  • Family Tree Basic plan – Free
  • Family Tree Premium – $82.50 per year
  • Family Tree PremiumPlus – $131.34 per year
  • Data – $119.40 per year
  • Complete – $175.77 per year
• Countries Available: Worldwide
• Average Results Time: 3-4 weeks
• Additional Subscription Options:
  • None

Reveal All Your DNA Secrets Now, With MyHeritage DNA Testing Kit

We have compiled a more extensive review on MyHeritage so make sure to check out our MyHeritage DNA review.

#2 Ancestry.com

<, Only $ 59 >>