DNA testing 101

[Anglojew]

Could someone please explain which tests to begin with, and how one differs from another?

Are there a few complementary tests an individual should take?

[Loki]

23andme is really all you need as far as tests are concerned. It only costs $99 now ...

Once you have your genome analyzed by 23andme, you can download your raw data, and apply it to other analyses. For example, you can upload your raw 23andme data to gedmatch.com ... and run several different calculations by Eurogenes, Dienekes and more, to show your genetic breakdown.

You can also send your raw data to prof McDonald, who will email you a detailed analysis. You don't even have to tell him your ethnic group, he is surprisingly accurate.

[Anglojew]

23andme is really all you need as far as tests are concerned. It only costs $99 now ...

Once you have your genome analyzed by 23andme, you can download your raw data, and apply it to other analyses. For example, you can upload your raw 23andme data to gedmatch.com ... and run several different calculations by Eurogenes, Dienekes and more, to show your genetic breakdown.

Thanks very much.

I wasn't sure if there was a thread on the basics of testing on here but it might be a good idea for the wiki. It might even make for a legitimate excuse to gain advertising revenue from those companies? It would be handy if there was a detailed wiki page on here with links to the various companies.

[Loki]

Thanks very much.

I wasn't sure if there was a thread on the basics of testing on here but it might be a good idea for the wiki. It might even make for a legitimate excuse to gain advertising revenue from those companies? It would be handy if there was a detailed wiki page on here with links to the various companies.

A very good idea! There are lots of members on here who have excellent knowledge on the subject.

[Anglojew]

A very good idea! There are lots of members on here who have excellent knowledge on the subject.

Yeah and it would attract people via google if it was like a DNA testing portal with explanations, definitions and suggestions and links. Otherwise, it's kinda baffling and like coming into a conversation halfway through. Lots of expertise on here.

[Artek]

Could someone please explain which tests to begin with, and how one differs from another?

Are there a few complementary tests an individual should take?
Basically what Loki said - order this 23andMe test for 99 bucks. It should suffice if you don't want to know your deep ancestry.

If you want to know more about your Y-DNA and mtDNA, I recommend http://www.familytreedna.com/products.aspx .
It's respectively more expensive but...more professional in those terms.

[Anglojew]

Basically what Loki said - order this 23andMe test for 99 bucks. It should suffice if you don't want to know your deep ancestry.

If you want to know more about your Y-DNA and mtDNA, I recommend http://www.familytreedna.com/products.aspx .
It's respectively more expensive but...more professional in those terms.

Thanks

[Hajdu]

How do I write to Prof McDonald and request an analysis?

[ABest]

AngloJew, I would begin with 23andme. After you get your results, you can further analyze them by sending them to Dienekes.

This is his blog: http://dienekes.blogspot.gr/

Also, if you have any specific questions before being tested, I would suggest e-mailing Dienekes as well, as he has deep knowledge of population genetics. dienekes.pontikos@gmail.com

[Tropico]

23andme for the raw data then transfer it to DNA tribes for a much clearer analysis.

[Philo]

I bought the 23andme test for 99$ and they already have my sample. It must suck for all of you that bough it for 199$(or how many it was before):P

[Atlantic Islander]

23andme for the raw data then transfer it to DNA tribes for a much clearer analysis.

DNA tribes is worthless.

[Atlantic Islander]

I would say 23andme is a good start, you'll be able to download your raw data and upload it to gedmatch - run the calculators etc.

I heard that Family Tree DNA is good too.

[Kazimiera]

How do I write to Prof McDonald and request an analysis?

You load your raw data files and email him at this address: jdmcdona@illinois.edu

You don't need to tell him anything about yourself. I just said, hello and here are my files. Then about a day later came the analysis.

[xajapa]

How do I write to Prof McDonald and request an analysis?

jdmcdona@illinois.edu. Just attach your file and ask him for his analysis.
Edit: i see Kazimiera was responding as I was typing, one finger at a time. Great minds must think alike.:)

[Graham]

DNA tribes is worthless.

It's a con.

[Tropico]

DNA tribes is worthless.

In my case it told me almost exactly the same thing as Gedmatch AND McDonald did.

[Atlantic Islander]

In my case it told me almost exactly the same thing as Gedmatch AND McDonald did.

That doesn't make it accurate in general.

[Hajdu]

Thanks folks! Can McDonald use the file created by FTDNA for their Familyfinder test?
Also, why do so many people on here dislike DNA Tribes?

[Kazimiera]

Thanks folks! Can McDonald use the file created by FTDNA for their Familyfinder test?
Also, why do so many people on here dislike DNA Tribes?

Yes, the 23andme raw data, or the FTDNA raw data from the FamilyFinder.

[Hajdu]

Is it exactly the same data?

[Kazimiera]

Is it exactly the same data?

I think so.

[Hajdu]

It appears that now that my data had been "tokenized" on Gedmatch, I can run admixture reports, even though it has not yet been "batched" for one on one comparisons. Does that sound correct?

[Graham]

It appears that now that my data had been "tokenized" on Gedmatch, I can run admixture reports, even though it has not yet been "batched" for one on one comparisons. Does that sound correct?

Yes, its slow.. My parents have it similar. Uploaded last week.

[Gauthier]

You can't only rely on one sole source. What you should do first is to take the 23andme test. Once your results are ready you can now download your ''raw data'' and register at gedmatch.com(free), here you can play around with various of the calculators they have available.
You can also try getting an SNP analysis at DNA Tribes, this requires your raw data, plus you will have to pay a minor fee.

[Jackson]

In my case it told me almost exactly the same thing as Gedmatch AND McDonald did.

Well in mine it told me i was about equally likely to be Irish or Belarussian, and more likely to be northern Italian than English. The only bit that was correct was the heat map section where i ended up where i usually do on other tests.

[Hajdu]

Hi guys,

So as for my original question today :), is it correct that if my data is tokenized, and the admixture tests seem to run, then it is working the way it is supposed to, even if the full batch processing for one on one comparisons is not finished yet?

[xajapa]

Also, why do so many people on here dislike DNA Tribes?
My understanding is that DNA uses less SNPs ( the data bits of your dna) to make its determination. Many believe it is too few to get an accurate reading.

[Loki]

It would be really cool if we created a thorough and constantly evolving Apricity Wiki article about this. It would draw interest from far and wide.

[riverman]

doesn't 23&me provide at least the basics for deep ancestry y-dna and mtdna

this thread has me worried about Tribes now, might not order it

[Loki]

doesn't 23&me provide at least the basics for deep ancestry y-dna and mtdna

this thread has me worried about Tribes now, might not order it

Yes. To me 23andme is totally sufficient. The term "deep ancestry" for FTDNA is misleading, if not totally incorrect.

23andme provides you with autosomal results, plus your Y-DNA and mtDNA.

[Jackson]

Yes. To me 23andme is totally sufficient. The term "deep ancestry" for FTDNA is misleading, if not totally incorrect.

23andme provides you with autosomal results, plus your Y-DNA and mtDNA.

FTDNA holds the upper hand in terms of going deeper into your Y-DNA and mt-DNA for higher resolution or to acquire matches that might apply to genaeological records, but in terms of cost efficiency and generally overall 23&me is preferable. I think the best way to do things is to take 23&me, and then take FTDNA if you need more answers for one of your lines. FTDNA is very good because it has helped fuel investigation into y-DNA haplotypes at high resolution, which is very useful for genaeology and relatively recent history (last 2000 years).

[Loki]

FTDNA holds the upper hand in terms of going deeper into your Y-DNA and mt-DNA for higher resolution

What higher resolution do I require? 23andme told me I'm E-V13 and H1b. There's not much more I need to know ...

FTDNA is just a money rip-off.

[Jackson]

What higher resolution do I require? 23andme told me I'm E-V13 and H1b. There's not much more I need to know ...

FTDNA is just a money rip-off.

If you are trying to look for matches within the genaeological timeframe, or see which subgroup you fit into that might explain more about that part of your ancestry. For example some people find that they have a haplotype that is unique or close to unique within their surname group, but they have hits in another surname, which may suggest that there was perhaps an NPE or change of name or something similar, which could ultimately make a big difference to the family trees of dedicated genealogists.

Even without regard to more recent genaeological history, for example with my haplogroup i know that i am I1* and that includes most of I1. If i took a test at FTDNA (which i have and will be sending back soon, and then upgrading to see deeper) that would allow me to identify my subgroup, which will give me a closer resolution for where my haplotype in most commonly found. For example there are a number of different sub-groups (usually labelled AS-1,2,3 etc) within I1 with differing distributions, and so knowing my subgrouping may be more useful for deeper ancestry. Also, it could be very useful with my surname because it is quite common. Identifying a number of other Jacksons with a similar haplotype may help to pinpoint the origin of my lines. As it looks at the moment, other I1 Jacksons have a tendency to be from the East Yorkshire/Lincolnshire area, however i cannot know for sure that my line originates in that particular area because looking for a Jackson in northern England even in the 19th century is like looking for a needle in a stack of needles. It could be interesting for another reason, as the East Riding is the so-called 'ancestral home' of the Jackson family (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eske), so you never know i might be a tr00 Jackson. :P

But anyway, it helped illustrate my point. But generally i think FTDNA is really for those who have a specific genetic/ydna/mtdna interest that they want to follow rather than beginners who want to know all about their ancestry. So it's not neccesary, but it is worthwhile if you want to learn more than 23&me can tell you.

[Loki]

I think it also depends on what your Y-DNA is. For some like R1b, there are many many different variants, and thus it could be useful. For me, no. It won't tell me anything that I don't know yet about my ancestry.

[Jackson]

I think it also depends on what your Y-DNA is. For some like R1b, there are many many different variants, and thus it could be useful. For me, no. It won't tell me anything that I don't know yet about my ancestry.

True, but because it does not seem useful for one person, that doesn't mean it is a rip off.

[Loki]

True, but because it does not seem useful for one person, that doesn't mean it is a rip off.

It's too expensive though. They provide less than 23andme, for more money.

[Jackson]

It's too expensive though. They provide less than 23andme, for more money.

For a family genealogist or someone who wants to focus a bit more on a particular line, the cost is worthwhile.

I guess you could say FTDNA is more specialized while 23&me is more generalized, and also includes health information.

[Vasconcelos]

I find these sort of tests totally uninteresting for me, simply because all my known ancestry is from the same place. There's not much more I need to know, it's irrelevant if I'm R1b or something else.

[Loki]

I find these sort of tests totally uninteresting for me, simply because all my known ancestry is from the same place. There's not much more I need to know, it's irrelevant if I'm R1b or something else.

What about your unknown ancestry? Things are not always as they appear to be ... :)

[Vasconcelos]

What about your unknown ancestry? Things are not always as they appear to be ... :)

Kind of irrelevant, there are no signs of such things up to mid 1800s, and even my ancestors from that time had very typical family names and lived in small villages in the Northwest and North Central Portugal.


I suppose these tests can be very interesting for some people who probably had ancestors from all over the place and want to learn more about it, like people from the Americas. But not for me.

[Jackson]

Kind of irrelevant, there are no signs of such things up to mid 1800s, and even my ancestors from that time had very typical family names and lived in small villages in the Northwest and North Central Portugal.


I suppose these tests can be very interesting for some people who probably had ancestors from all over the place and want to learn more about it, like people from the Americas. But not for me.

Even finding you are typical can be interesting, surely.

[Hajdu]

Jackson,
I thought FTDNA provided the same raw autosomal DNA data as 23andme if you take the FTDNA Familyfinder test?

[Loki]

Kind of irrelevant, there are no signs of such things up to mid 1800s, and even my ancestors from that time had very typical family names and lived in small villages in the Northwest and North Central Portugal.


I suppose these tests can be very interesting for some people who probably had ancestors from all over the place and want to learn more about it, like people from the Americas. But not for me.

It's not irrelevant. As I suggested, things are not always as they seem. :) Don't take too many things for granted about your ancestry.

[Jackson]

Jackson,
I thought FTDNA provided the same raw autosomal DNA data as 23andme if you take the FTDNA Familyfinder test?

Indeed. So if you are just interested in ancestry, know about GEDmatch and are particular interested in your y and mt lines then FTdna is probably a better way to go if you intendt to use all it's features. If you are not concerned about depth in your haplotypes then it is probably more cost effective to go with 23&me.

[Vasconcelos]

It's not irrelevant. As I suggested, things are not always as they seem. :) Don't take too many things for granted about your ancestry.

It wouldn't even matter, and most certainly not change who I am.

[Loki]

It wouldn't even matter, and most certainly not change who I am.

Of course not. But it could help in self-discovery :)

[riverman]

Kind of irrelevant, there are no signs of such things up to mid 1800s, and even my ancestors from that time had very typical family names and lived in small villages in the Northwest and North Central Portugal.


I suppose these tests can be very interesting for some people who probably had ancestors from all over the place and want to learn more about it, like people from the Americas. But not for me.

Lol genetic tests are just as much for Europeans as americans.

[Vasconcelos]

Lol genetic tests are just as much for Europeans as americans.

wow you did miss the whole point.

[riverman]

wow you did miss the whole point.

You don't seem to have a valid point

[Vasconcelos]

You don't seem to have a valid point

I do have a point, just because you don't know "who your father is", doesn't mean we're all on the same boat.

[riverman]

I do have a point, just because you don't know "who your father is", doesn't mean we're all on the same boat.

That isn't what genetic companies are necessarily for, what an incredibly stupid statement

[Vasconcelos]

That isn't what genetic companies are necessarily for, what an incredibly stupid statement

I said it in inverted commas (and italic, to stress it) because it was obviously an hiperbole, what an incredibly stupid comment.

[riverman]

I said it in inverted commas (and italic, to stress it) because it was obviously a figure of speech, what an incredibly stupid comment.

No, genetic companies are not just for people without paper trail geneology, you're point still isn't valid, makes no sense

[Vasconcelos]

No, genetic companies are not just for people without paper trail geneology, you're point still isn't valid, makes no sense

It's still what drives most people to use them in the first place.

[SkyBurn]

Get 23andme. Personally, all the health info was the most interesting part :p

It's how I found out I'm a carrier for the haemochromatosis gene, and that I metabolise coffee in a superior manner :p

[lamb]

I wasn't really impressed with 23andme. The ancestry composition tool isn't that detailed - some people receive large portions of designated "unspecified" ancestry, and the tool uses vague terms like "Eastern European." The health risk reports shouldn't be taken too literally either, especially some of the cancer risk ones. The breast cancer one, for example; from what I've read, they screen for only three BRCA mutations out of hundreds known to cause cancer, and while these three are common mutations in ashkenazi Jews, they are not the most common in other populations.

The most interesting part of using 23andme is that I was matched with two close relatives on there, but they never responded, so I might never know who they are.

DNATribes, if I am correct, offers a service using CODIS STR markers. I'm not sure why they decided to use this for genealogy/ancestry. This was invented for use of identification in crime scenes, and it's used in forensics, not necessarily for telling a person's ancestry.

[Jackson]

I wasn't really impressed with 23andme. The ancestry composition tool isn't that detailed - some people receive large portions of designated "unspecified" ancestry, and the tool uses vague terms like "Eastern European." The health risk reports shouldn't be taken too literally either, especially some of the cancer risk ones. The breast cancer one, for example; from what I've read, they screen for only three BRCA mutations out of hundreds known to cause cancer, and while these three are common mutations in ashkenazi Jews, they are not the most common in other populations.

The most interesting part of using 23andme is that I was matched with two close relatives on there, but they never responded, so I might never know who they are.

DNATribes, if I am correct, offers a service using CODIS STR markers. I'm not sure why they decided to use this for genealogy/ancestry. This was invented for use of identification in crime scenes, and it's used in forensics, not necessarily for telling a person's ancestry.

GEDmatch is really useful, should try that.

[Atlantic Islander]

I find these sort of tests totally uninteresting for me, simply because all my known ancestry is from the same place. There's not much more I need to know, it's irrelevant if I'm R1b or something else.

This mentality is why Kadu, Alex delarge, and I don't have enough people to compare to. :pout:

[Anglojew]

Thanks for everyone's help

[Atlantic Islander]

The ancestry composition tool isn't that detailed - some people receive large portions of designated "unspecified" ancestry

I think that happens to new worlders because they're too mixed. Not certain though. :shrug:

[Drawing-slim]

...

[NorthernSunChild]

In response to Jackson:

My haplotype is also I but I don't know whether it's I1 or I2; given that my surname is from southern Scotland, it must be I1 like yours. Also, isn't Jackson a common Scots name too?

[Loki]

In response to Jackson:

My haplotype is also I but I don't know whether it's I1 or I2; given that my surname is from southern Scotland, it must be I1 like yours. Also, isn't Jackson a common Scots name too?

It's most likely I1, since this variant is most common in Northern Europe. I2 is found mainly in the Balkans. However that doesn't mean I2 is absent in Britain.

[Grumpy Cat]

Genetic testing helped me connect with long-lost relatives in exile in Cajun Country. Pretty cool.

[Graham]

In response to Jackson:

My haplotype is also I but I don't know whether it's I1 or I2; given that my surname is from southern Scotland, it must be I1 like yours. Also, isn't Jackson a common Scots name too?

It's mainly a Northern English name.

[Anglojew]

23andme is really all you need as far as tests are concerned. It only costs $99 now ...

Once you have your genome analyzed by 23andme, you can download your raw data, and apply it to other analyses. For example, you can upload your raw 23andme data to gedmatch.com ... and run several different calculations by Eurogenes, Dienekes and more, to show your genetic breakdown.

You can also send your raw data to prof McDonald, who will email you a detailed analysis. You don't even have to tell him your ethnic group, he is surprisingly accurate.

How do I download my raw data?

[Drawing-slim]

How do I download my raw data?
Just click on settings then it will be an option to browse raw data, once you click on that then click on "download raw data"

[Anglojew]

Just click on settings then it will be an option to browse raw data, once you click on that then click on "download raw data"

Thanks very much

[Anglojew]

23andme for the raw data then transfer it to DNA tribes for a much clearer analysis.

How do I transfer it to DNA tribes?

[CrystalMaiden]

Lol, why would you even need that?

[Loki]

How do I transfer it to DNA tribes?

You have to pay, I think.

A better option would be Gedmatch. But I'm not sure whether they are taking in new files at the moment or not. Try them.

[Anglojew]

You have to pay, I think.

A better option would be Gedmatch. But I'm not sure whether they are taking in new files at the moment or not. Try them.

I can't seem to register, some glitch. Ill keep trying. I've emailed McDonald so hopefully he responds.

[Anglojew]

I can't seem to register, some glitch. Ill keep trying. I've emailed McDonald so hopefully he responds.

Finally was able to register, I have to wait now.

Thanks for your help Loki and everyone.

[Anglojew]

There was a EuroDNACalc available here; http://dienekes.blogspot.com/2008/06/euro-dna-calc-11-released.html but it doesn't seem to be functioning still. Any idea where to download this from?