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AncestryDNA (Ancestry.com) compared to Family Finder from FTDNA.

Replies: 17

Re: AncestryDNA (Ancestry.com) compared to Family Finder from FTDNA.

Posted: 1 May 2014 4:18AM GMT
Classification: Query
I have tested with the three majors - here, 23andme, and FamilyTreeDNA.

I have found, for me (and it seems to be echoed in many places on other web sites and email lists I am on as well) that the ancestry.com web interface and features are truly lacking for their DNA business. There is almost no good useful information I can gain from my results.

23andme proves a bit better. Easier to review matches, when those matches are not anonymous or nearly impossible to figure out who they are, and no easy way, if at all, to figure out who a reported close relative is. Doesn't matter if they show as a solid 2nd cousin. If 23andme doesn't give me anything more to work with, they might as well be Mickey Mouse.

Now, the best of the batch is FamilyTreeDNA. A group of people who have tested that want to communicate with each other and web interface that is easy to use and very inviting for both personal research and for people to interact and learn who is who. Simply the gold standard, in my opinion, how how a DNA testing web experience should be. Very responsive support as well, though they may take a few days to get back to you. I've also had great conversations with the company President. Simply great!

FamilyTreeDNA _DOES_ take autosomal transfers for a discount, so people are more than encouraged, if you have already tested with ancestry, which means you have paid, to take your results to FamilyTreeDNA. This is also the only site I know of that has a wonderful tool to allow you to see with whom else you have DNA in common, and with whom you do NOT. Thus, for example, you test, and your parent tests. The other parent is not available to test. You select IN common with, and see the matches that parent and you have in common. Go in the other direction, and you see the matches you have in common with the parent who did NOT test.
The President of FTDNA did confirm the results of this feature do work like this when I emailed him directly - Bennett Greenspan.

Gedmatch is another great resource, that happens to be free, for people who have tested at the majors to compare with results with others who have also tested at the majors. Gedmatch relies on those who have tested to submit their results.

I am a huge fan on FTDNA and Gedmatch.

Now, on the flip side, I do REALLY like ancestry's tree pages, and find them to be the best of the web sites that also have trees. So, in my opinion, an A for Ancestry's tree business, and a D for their DNA side. I give them a D because you can easily transfer your DNA results to FTDNA and to Gedmatch :-) Otherwise, they would get an F.

On gedmatch, please look for me as F316712. On 23 and FamilyTreeDNA, please look for me as Scott Rand Ehrlich. Let's see if we match!

Scott
SubjectAuthorDate Posted
tchca35763 4 May 2014 7:55PM GMT 
AB_Gerard 29 Apr 2014 8:38PM GMT 
HRTZNMI1 29 Apr 2014 9:22PM GMT 
Scott Ehrlich 1 May 2014 10:18AM GMT 
HRTZNMI1 1 May 2014 11:46PM GMT 
Scott Ehrlich 12 May 2014 9:27AM GMT 
HRTZNMI1 12 May 2014 10:37AM GMT 
Epaphroditus 20 May 2014 1:39AM GMT 
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