My DNA Test

Last year, I decided to take a DNA test to help with my family history research. There are several companies that offer DNA testing, but Ancestry has by far the biggest database of DNA results (from more than 15 million people), so I chose them. I bought the test on Black Friday (23 November 2018), when the normal price of £79 was reduced to £49. There was also a £10 charge for shipping. More information about the test is at https://www.ancestrydna.co.uk/kits?&&pgrid=49763045925&ptaid=kwd-297622641345&s_kwcid=ancestry%20dna&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3s7Jgb-b4gIV65ztCh03cA_yEAAYASABEgLY__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I received the test kit in the post soon after ordering it, but didn’t send off my sample (saliva) until January 2019. I was sent my results online about 6 weeks later. Ancestry provide a list of the names of DNA matches and the amount of DNA you share, under headings indicating how close the relationship is. I had one match under the second cousin heading, 4 third cousins and 190 fourth cousins (this category actually covers fourth to sixth cousins). Second cousins share a set of great grandparents, third cousins share a set of great, great grandparents, fourth cousins share a set of great, great, great grandparents. The list of matches is added to as more people are tested – I now have 2 second cousins, 7 third cousins and 235 fourth cousins.

In order to get the most benefit from a DNA test, you should enter the names and dates of your ancestors and link this information to your name on the Ancestry DNA site. If a DNA match has attached their family tree, the site will highlight surnames that are in your tree and their’s. It is then often apparent who the shared ancestor is. The system also lists the names of shared matches. If you know how a name on this list is related to you, then others on it are probably related via the same line. The system also allows you to send a message to your DNA matches.

The results from my DNA test were not as useful as I hoped. I had previously made contact with 8 of my DNA matches before I got the results. Only 36% of other DNA matches that I contacted replied to my message to them. Only 15 of my closest 50 matches had attached a family tree that I could view. Consequently, I wasn’t able to establish how a lot of my DNA matches are related to me. However, I made some good contacts who have supplied me with information and pictures that I have added to my family history blogs.

There is a useful article on how to make the most of your DNA results at  https://www.lostcousins.com/newsletters2/wedding18.htm#Masterclass

There were 11 DNA matches where I was able to establish a definite link to my father’s family. Two of them were second cousins descended from great grandparents George and Margaret Taylor. One was descended from my grandfather’s brother Samuel Taylor and the other from my grandfather’s sister Margaret Ellen Smith nee Taylor. There were also two third cousins who were descended from my great, great grandparents George and Elizabeth Cornwell. One was descended from their son George Cornwell and the other from their daughter Elizabeth Harling nee Cornwell.

The test also provides an ethnicity estimate, by comparing DNA results with those of people in various regions throughout the world. These estimates are of dubious value and accuracy. In my case, my ethnicity was estimated as 88% from England, Wales and Northwestern Europe, with most from the East of England, 5% from Norway, 5% from Ireland or Scotland and 2% from Germanic Europe. All of the ancestors that I have found from my research were born in England, with quite a few born in Essex. I am not aware of any ancestors born in Norway, Ireland, Scotland or Germanic Europe.