has any one else tried 23 and me ?

or any of the other DNA tests? I haven't found out hardly a thing except my general DNA make-up. everyone is all shut up tight and most don't use their names. it is weird. i just want to know who i am. and if i have any family at all.

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Faust76 · 46-50, M

Most people are not genealogists, and even as news coverage indicates, most people take the DNA tests just to get bragging rights for some particular ethnicity (And then throw a tantrum when they don't find it). I think it's all good, a few of them will notice the DNA relatives matching, some will use their real name, and for a few it could spark an interest in genealogy.

I love 23andMe for being a pioneering, trendsetting, science-based, actual health research supporting outfit who have perhaps best international coverage in their database. Unfortunately, they've also done some incredibly dumb things, like completely ousting family trees out of the service and half-forcing them off to MyHeritage. After which, naturally, MyHeritage immediately started their own DNA testing effort with Family Tree DNA.

This makes genealogical research on 23andMe little frustrating. All I can suggest is messaging close matches privately, but don't make it sound like you're expecting them to do any of the work. Personally for me, short messages like "Hi, I'm blahblahbblah, do you know if you have a Stark in your family tree?" are good.

LILY61

@Faust76 thanks but i can't do that last bit. i don't know who i am. i have had the worst life you have ever heard of.i was kidnapped in '64 and i remember very little. they were friends with the police, who threatened me if i told. i called the FBI and wrote to them starting in the fifth grade. everyone was rude and dismissive. i thought that this was my final chance and then.....nothing

Faust76 · 46-50, M

@LILY61 Ouch. One thing to note is all of the DNA relatives databases of the different testing providers are essentially independent, so if you can afford it, testing at each will increase your odds of success. I believe you can currently transfer AncestryDNA test data to FTDNA, MyHeritage and LivingDNA. There are also groups that are dedicated to helping adoptees and donor conceived individuals, DNA Detectives on Facebook might be best starting point. I'm bit curious if 23andMe provided no leads though, no close matches? Even ethnicity breakdown can be useful in some cases.

GlassDog · 41-45, M

If you do the DNA test with a genealogy site, they'll be able to identify your living relatives who've also done the same. So many people are doing it now that it's a genuinely good way of discovering your ancestry. Or, in my case, of confirming my research.

RubySoo · 56-60, F

Regardless of DNA testing have you tried any ancestry research?

View 6 more replies »

Harriet03 · 41-45, F

@RubySoo Oh, I thought you were being subtle!!
Apologies

RubySoo · 56-60, F

@Harriet03 lol.
My humour is not that clever!!

Harriet03 · 41-45, F

@RubySoo Practice hun

Fernie · F

I don't want my DNA out there...it's like fingerprints...I don't want them out there either

LILY61

@Fernie i don't understand that

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