A very short guide to "Which DNA test should I take"?

[Noman]

Hey guys,

Okay! I see a lot of people freak out when it comes to choosing the DNA test. Many people ask which DNA testing should they go for, and they never really get any proper answer. I decided to hop in and share my thoughts and experiences.

I did DNA tests with 23andme, which was disappointing, since they never did the breakdown of my results. It just showed Broadly this and that. Later, I uploaded my raw data to WeGene, FTDNA, and MyHeritage.
WeGene was worse than 23andme; however, FTDNA did give a much better response, and I am waiting for MyHeritage ancestry estimate. FTDNA was, in fact, better than 23andme. I was impressed.

I can just tell you guys that if you want to trace your ancestry estimates back to:


300 Years - Wegene
500 Years - MyHeritage
1000 years - Ancestry DNA
2000 Years - FTDNA
10,000 years Geno 2.0 Next Gen


I hope, I helped those who are in need.
Thank you!

[Lucas]

OK, but I don't understand why people pay for all those companies. It isn't better do one test, doesn't matter in FTDNA, 23&me or Ancestry and later upload this to gedmatch and check your results in many free calculators. There are also many calculators which aren't on Gedmatch but still free.

[Noman]

OK, but I don't understand why people pay for all those companies. It isn't better do one test, doesn't matter in FTDNA, 23&me or Ancestry and later upload this to gedmatch and check your results in many free calculators. There are also many calculators which aren't on Gedmatch but still free.

Let me make it more clear. I never said one should take all of these test, but just one. Personally, I would prefer GENO 2.0 because they could trace back your ancestry to even 10,000 years back.
For the second part of your question: I did my test with 23andme, which said I am 99% south asian with little of native american, chinese, and african. FTDNA, which could trace back the results to 80 generations back predicted that I am 95% central asian with 5% asia minor (Anatolia). Now, this is completely odd and doesn't make any sense. Similarly, Harappa DNA predicted, I have central asian ancestry along with Baloch, NE Euro, and Siberian. I can keep going for other calculators.

I am waiting for my MyHeritage DNA results(free :) ). I might go for GENO, if things are cleared up yet.

[LoLeL]

Useful thread

[RN97]

OK, but I don't understand why people pay for all those companies. It isn't better do one test, doesn't matter in FTDNA, 23&me or Ancestry and later upload this to gedmatch and check your results in many free calculators. There are also many calculators which aren't on Gedmatch but still free.

Don't some of them test more SNP's or something like that? I don't think everyone gives you the same raw DNA results. For example myheritage, you only have to swab your cheek, while on 23andme you have to spit a shitton. IDK if it has to do with anything, but it seems like myheritage would be less accurate.

[frankhammer]

I found Ancestry DNA a complete waste of money. 23&me was better but I now feel, all money would have been better spent at FTDNA. Far more options if you wish to explore further than the basics.

[Noman]

I found Ancestry DNA a complete waste of money. 23&me was better but I now feel, all money would have been better spent at FTDNA. Far more options if you wish to explore further than the basics.

23andme is crap for South Asians. I feel like I wasted all my money on that test. FTDNA was much, however, not up to the mark. God bless my fellow, who advised me to take GENO for the better breakdown of the results.

[Kelmendasi]

Don't some of them test more SNP's or something like that? I don't think everyone gives you the same raw DNA results. For example myheritage, you only have to swab your cheek, while on 23andme you have to spit a shitton. IDK if it has to do with anything, but it seems like myheritage would be less accurate.
Living DNA tests the most SNP's and they use the swab method

[Noman]

Living DNA tests the most SNP's and they use the swab method

Did you find it better?

[Kelmendasi]

Did you find it better?
I haven't done it but it seems like the best option although it only goes about 10 generations back

[Oneeye]

Holy crap... are you guys really supplementing your genealogy trails by going back thousands of years? What's the point, besides scientific research of a population, to go back so far? Do you really have that much variety within your countrymen that you'd get meaningful results?

[Rethel]

Any Y-test.
Rest is a bullshit.

[Noman]

I haven't done it but it seems like the best option although it only goes about 10 generations back

DAMN! Only 10? I have already traced my ancestry 80 generations back through FTDNA. Next step is GENO.

[Noman]

Holy crap... are you guys really supplementing your genealogy trails by going back thousands of years? What's the point, besides scientific research of a population, to go back so far? Do you really have that much variety within your countrymen that you'd get meaningful results?

It's like being proud and show off your heritage.
No! I am kidding. :) I just like to keep the record of my genealogy, and it's fascinating to study where your ancestors come from. So far I have found out that my ancient ancestors were of Yuezhi ethnicity, but I am still unsure, and GENO could help me.