AncestryDNA

• Extensive Ancestry DNA Test Result
• One-Time Cost for Testing Services
• No Membership Required for DNA Testing
• Genetic Genealogy Matches
• Genetic Counseling
• Mobile App
• Upgrade Options
• Referral Program

Extensive Ancestry DNA Test Result

A leading company in the industry, Ancestry's test offers in-depth results in the field of ancestry DNA. You can see the origins of your DNA by region, with more than 1,000 possible regions available in its ethnicity estimate. Ancestry uses two different using two different scientific methods to provide Regions and Communities. 

AncestryDNA Regions

These regions, or ethnicities, are found by testing your sample for genetic markers common to people with known roots (multiple generations of ancestors) in a specific region. This reference panel includes more than 40,000 samples from people across the world. The timeframe for your genetic regions goes back hundreds to 1,000+ years ago. Users are provided with a percentage estimate that shows how much of your genetic makeup is from a specific regional population. To get an idea of how detailed your regional ethnicity breakdown can be, your percentage breakdown will be created from the following: 

• Africa — 11 regions
• America (North and South)* — 11 regions
• Asia — 13 regions
• Europe — 17 regions
• Pacific Islander — 5 regions
• West Asia — 3 regions

While these are the current regions available to date, the details of your ethnicity test can be much deeper. That's where AncestryDNA Genetic Communities come in. 

AncestryDNA Communities

In addition to the ethnicity regions that Ancestry can differentiate, this company also offers over 900 in-depth DNA Communities, indicating recent ancestors from the same shared community or culture. 

With more than 16 million samples, Ancestry has the largest consumer DNA database. Additionally, the company has the largest network of family trees in its database due to Ancestry.com's popularity as a genealogy research platform. This amount of data has allowed Ancestry to create what it calls Genetic Communities. This technology combines genetic similarities of test-takers in the database with historical records, public family trees, and ethnicity data to identify and trace the movement of distinct groups of people. Several different types of communities are considered, including religious groups, cultural groups, and groups that migrated together, either voluntarily or forcibly. 

Communities represent more recent history, from the 1700s to 1975 and are not broken down into percentage-type results. Instead, you will be presented with Genetic Communities that your ancestors were likely a part of, and a general timeline of their movements. Not everyone will receive Communities in their results, it just depends on your DNA. 

To get an idea of the available community subgroups, here is an overview: 

• Africa — None available
• African Americans — 96 Communities available, with identifiers like Virginia Tidewater African Americans, Central Kentucky African Americans, Afro-Haitians, and Early Virginia African Americans. Some Communities offer even further sub-Communities. For example, there are six different individual Genetic Communities classified under the larger group called Louisiana Creoles & African Americans. 
• America* — 74 Communities identified, with 67 from Mexico alone. For example, these groups include Tepehuanes, Tamazula & Topia, San Bernardo & Guanacevi, and Central Durango, all differentiated under the larger Northwestern Durango Community label. 
• Asia — 1 Community in the Philippines & Guam
• Europe — 790+ Communities — Hundreds of them trace groups of immigrants during the era of colonialism, with similar genetic groups originating in specific parts of Europe and ending up in specific destinations in North America, South America, New Zealand, Australia, and more. Other examples include 100+ genetic groups in the Ireland & Scotland Region, 90+ Norway Communities, 60+ Sweden Communities, and 8 European Jewish Communities. This is just a taste. There are lots more. 
• Pacific Islander — 1 additional Community showing recent heritage in Hawai'i, Tonga & Samoa
• West Asia — 2 Communities — Armenians within the Turkey & the Caucasus Region, and Syrian-Lebanese under the Middle East Region. 

*Note: Your saliva test sample will be tested for Native American ancestry, but the results will not provide a specific tribal affiliation. However, the test will determine Indigenous American heritage, with the following possible outcomes: 

• Indigenous Americas—Andes
• Indigenous Americas—Central (2 additional Communities)
• Indigenous Americas—Colombia & Venezuela
• Indigenous Americas—Mexico (67 additional Communities)
• Indigenous Americas—North (Covers much of the United States and all of Canada)
• Indigenous Americas—Yucatan Peninsula
• Indigenous Arctic
• Indigenous Cuba
• Indigenous Eastern South America 
• Indigenous Hait & Dominican Republic
• Indigenous Puerto Rico
• Additional South American Communities — Columbians, Columbians & Ecuadorians, Ecuador, Peru & Chile, Portuguese in Northern Brazil, and Portuguese in Southern Brazil

One-Time Cost for Testing Services

AncestryDNA testing has a one-time cost of $99–$149 (excluding taxes and shipping) for each DNA test kit.

After taking the test, you can use that information and connect it with over 100 million family trees and billions of records for more information about your genealogy. However, you do need to purchase an Ancestry subscription to do so. Many people that don't know much about their family use a DNA test as a starting point for their genealogical 

No Membership Required for AncestryDNA or AncestryHealth

You don't need to be an Ancestry member to order a DNA test and get access to your results. However, an active membership attached to your account opens up special features, combining your DNA data with the company's collection of family tree data to help you find users that you share DNA in common with, to try and pinpoint where your common ancestor lies in your shared trees. 

The exception is the AncestryHealth Plus Membership, which adds a new testing technology and ongoing access to new, personalized health updates.  This is a subscription-based service. 

Genetic Matches

AncestryDNA customers benefit from the site's DNA Matches feature. It matches your genetic data up with other people who have taken the test, and, depending on how much DNA you share in common, it estimates how closely you are related, from parents and siblings to distant relatives. The company's DNA database offers to match with more than 16 million other test-takers. Users can easily message people that they match with through Ancestry's internal messaging system.

Genetic Counseling

With the addition of the AncestryHealth testing product line, genetic counseling is now accessible for consumers to get advice about health reports. Ancestry has partnered with PWNHealth to provide board-certified physicians and genetic counselors to help Health users to understand results. If there is something that you wish to talk to your doctor about, your results can be downloaded with a quick reference guide to bring to your doctor. 

Mobile App

Ancestry offers a mobile app for IOS and Android devices specifically for viewing DNA results, where you can easily peruse your ethnicity estimate results and your DNA matches.

Upgrade Options

If you started out with just the AncestryDNA test, and you want to get access to the new Health data, you don't have to pay the full test price to upgrade (as some other testing services require). 

You can upgrade to Ancestry Health Core for $49. Most customers will not need to send in a new sample to get the added health and wellness data. If you do need to send a new sample, you will be notified and get a free collection kit in the mail. 

Referral Program

If you have already taken an AncestryDNA test, you can refer friends to take one through your account. If they take it, they'll get a 15 percent discount and you will earn a $10 Amazon gift card to be delivered in your email. 

You have to send the referral messages to your friends or family through the online platform for your referral to be properly counted.

• Lengthy Wait Time
• Autosomal Testing Only
• State and Country Limitations
• Results Online Only
• Saliva Sample
• Refund Policy
• Raw DNA 

Lengthy Wait Time

Once you send in your DNA sample, Ancestry testing results take six to eight weeks to process. Although not the longest in the industry, this is still a long wait time. Some other DNA testing companies offer results in as little as three to five weeks after sample submission.

Autosomal Testing Only

Ancestry only offers one type of genetic testing: autosomal DNA testing. This means that both men and women can take the same test and get the same type of results. However, when compared to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or Y-DNA testing (which can only be taken if you have a Y chromosome), it only offers information about much closer genetic ancestry, and ethnicity results aren't automatically attributed to your maternal or paternal line, because only your autosomal DNA, or non-sex chromosomes are being tested. 

In years past, Ancestry offered a YDNA and an mtDNA test through the National Geographic Geographic Project, with static results viewable on Ancestry's site. This has since been phased-out in favor of autosomal DNA tests, which are universal, offering the same type of results for males and females, and closer genetic history which can more easily be integrated with the type of family history research and tree-building that Ancestry users are accustomed to. 

While still an autosomal test, consumers can upgrade their DNA service to include the physical traits test for an additional $20.

State and Country Limitations

The newer AncestryHealth product is only for adults. It is not available to consumers in New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island. 

AncestryHealth tests are not available outside the United States and its AncestryDNA genealogical DNA test is currently available for purchase in these countries:

Results Online Only

When your test results are ready, you get an email notification, with a link to login and view your ethnicity results and matches. There is no physical packet of information sent to you. The results are only delivered online, because they are constantly changing as you get new matches and the DNA algorithms are being refined. This can be an issue, especially when considering this as a gift for someone who doesn't regularly use the internet, like elderly relatives or friends.

This is a common complaint when it comes to testing companies that offer at-home DNA test kits for genealogical DNA results. If you are looking for a company that offers to send printed-out results in the mail. 

Saliva Sample

This test requires a saliva test sample, but it is not done with a swab. Ancestry uses what is commonly referred to as a "spit kit" in the consumer genetic testing industry. 

DNA testing kits come with a plastic vial that you basically spit into. Some people find it difficult to collect enough saliva into the collection tube. Other ancestry tests from alternative testing companies are available, if you prefer to provide a cheek swab sample.

Refund Policy

AncestryDNA and AncestryHealth sample collection kits are eligible for a refund if returned within 60 days of placing your order. However, a full refund isn't available. Each purchase will be refunded less a $15 processing fee. 

Raw Data Upload

While users have access to download their raw AncestryDNA data if they wish to use it or upload it to another site's algorithm, Ancestry does not allow third-party data uploads. 

With the largest database of online records, Ancestry offers genealogy records as well as DNA testing services. This distinction sets it apart from the competition.

With 100 million family trees and billions of records, you can discover more about your roots from Ancestry once you've taken the test. Just know you'll need to pay $19.99 per month to access the basic U.S. records package or $34.99 per month for access to all international records.

AncestryDNA is one of the best choices for people looking to pair their DNA test results with an online historical records database to discover more about their genealogy and collaborate with genetic relatives on family history research. In addition to the genealogical data that you can learn from Ancestry, you can also try out the company's new AncestryHealth product to learn whether you are predisposed to, or a carrier for certain health issues.

Wondering what AncestryDNA users have to say about their experience? Scroll down to see what people are saying.