Ancestry DNA Testing

10 Reasons Why You Should Buy An Ancestry DNA Testing Kit!

Do you want to go further with your genealogy research? Well then an Ancestry DNA testing kit can fulfill that goal. But why should you invest even more money in this latest craze?

Ancestry DNA Testing

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Is it worth it?

Find out with this post.

DNA testing is the latest tool for genealogists!

I am always the last one to jump on the bandwagon.

New fads and technology come and go and I am guaranteed to be the last one to see what all the fuss is about.

And DNA testing is no exception!

Credit: Ancestry DNA

It has been around for a while now but it is still a very popular avenue of research for the family historian.

The great thing is that even if you haven’t taken this next step it is not too late.

Even if you have waited until now it means that you can take advantage of all the latest advances that this science offers.

If you are still not convinced then please check out the rest of this post as I will share with you 10 reasons why you should buy an Ancestry DNA test kit!

Check Out My Ancestry DNA Review

Further Information!

After reading this review please check out The Best DNA Test For You To Buy guide. My DNA guide covers the 5 best DNA testing kits on the market today!

And then head on over to DNA Testing Choice as you will find reviews for these DNA testing kits

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Express Your Thoughts Below!

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10 Reasons Why You Should Buy An Ancestry DNA Test Kit!

1. A DNA Test Is Cheap

As the popularity of these tests has grown in recent years there has been seen a price decrease.

And not only that but as companies are trying to outdo each other the consumer is therefore going to get the best end of the deal here.

The typical price for a DNA test kit is roughly $99, although sometimes you can get it even cheaper when there is a sale.

The price though depends on what testing that you want to be done on the sample that provides.

  • An autosomal test will look at both your maternal and paternal ancestry but is only accurate to about 5 or so generations back.
  • A mitochondrial test will only look at your maternal line but can go back to about 25 generations.
  • A Y-chromosome test will look at your paternal line and again to about 25 generations back.

Depending on what company you buy the test kit from you may have access to genealogy records, connect with DNA matches, see the path of your ancestors’ migration, and much more besides.

2. The Test Is Simple To Do!

Taking the test couldn’t be easier on your part. It’s the science behind it all that takes time, but you don’t need to worry about that.

When you buy a test kit you will first need to set up an online account with the testing company that you have chosen.

This is because your results when ready will be available to you online.

The advantage of this is that you do not have to wait longer for your results to be shipped out to you. As soon as their ready then you will get notified by email.

Your test kit includes a vial/tube and also instructions on how to provide a sample.

Depending on the test that you have bought you will either have to swab your cheek or provide a sample of your saliva.

Also, included in your test kit will be a unique barcode. This code is used so that your results can be matched up to your online account.

The important thing to note here is that the scientists in the lab will not be able to connect you with your results.

To them, you are just a number. Lol, sorry if that sounded offensive. So rest assured that you will remain anonymous.

Don’t forget to link up your barcode to your account before you send back your sample in the pre-paid envelope. Otherwise, you will not be able to receive your results.

3. Break Through A Brick Wall In Your Research

DNA testing has enabled us to break down brick walls in our genealogy research that we will surely encounter.

And that is why I like this approach because it can show you where you need to look next.

Often when we are staring at our handwritten notes or looking blankly at our computer screen we cannot seem to join the dots.

Sometimes we may eventually break through that proverbial wall but sometimes DNA testing is the only answer.

DNA testing can offer you so many solutions as you discover the origins of your ancestors, discover genealogy records, and be able to connect with distant cousins and share information.

4. Discover Your Ancestry

Through DNA testing you can learn even more about your ancestry.

You can discover your ancestors in ways that are simply impossible with paper-based research or by hunting for them online.

It doesn’t matter if you have been tracing your family tree for a while or you are a complete beginner.

You can take the test whenever you want.

I must point out though that it can take several weeks for your results to be sent back to you.

That is because it inevitably does take time to analyze your sample.

The amount of waiting time will vary depending on the kit that you buy.

It can take anywhere from 3-4 weeks up to about 10-12 weeks.

The longer you have to wait will mean that more thorough testing is being conducted on your sample.

For that reason, you may want to conduct other research while you are waiting for your results.

5. Keep To The Genealogy Path

What I like about DNA testing is that it can show you where to concentrate your research. There are no wild goose chases with this.

It can be frustrating when you are tracing a branch of your family tree only to discover that they are not your ancestors at all.

Based on your DNA sample you will be given ethnicity estimates. These estimates will be presented to you as percentages assigned to different regions of the world.

And the higher the percentage then the more probable your ancestors came from there.

Regardless of the percentage, this form of testing can show you where you need to look and keep you on the genealogy path.

6. Discover Your Ethnicity

A DNA test can confirm your ethnicity. But this is where it becomes interesting because so many of us believe that we only come from one area or country.

Would it surprise you when you get the results and they show a region that you were not expecting?

At present, 150+ regions may show up in your DNA.

That’s the beauty of this test. You just don’t know what the results will be until you take the test.

This mixture of results can be so diverse.

It can show that you have ancestors originating from the United Kingdom, as well as maybe Scandinavia. Something that you were not quite expecting.

7. Your Ancestors Migration

A DNA test can also show you quite clearly your ancestors’ migration.

Something which can be far more difficult to decipher through paper-based records.

Through old-fashioned methods, you will need to look up passenger lists and immigration records.

And this can be quite daunting if you do not know where to look.

For that reason, a DNA test can make your family tree research a whole lot easier.

From the results that you will receive you can then track down your ancestors’ records.

8. DNA Matchups

One of the cool benefits of this kind of testing is that you can connect with living relatives. Now that may be something that you were not quite expecting. Right?

It’s pretty exciting as you discover distant cousins that you knew nothing about.

Meeting several 2nd and 3rd cousins have helped me immensely to build my family tree. Their kindness to share information is so heart-warming.

And also I have returned the favor and provided what information that I have unearthed.

I love to explore all branches of my family tree. That means that I like to trace not only my ancestors but their siblings and their descendants as well.

Quite a mammoth task hey?

I wouldn’t say that I have traced my whole extensive family tree. That would be quite an absurd claim to make.

But I have found out quite a lot about distant cousins with this approach.

And so DNA match-ups can connect you with these distant cousins who can share with you what they have learned.

However, it does depend on whether your cousin has taken the same test kit as you from the same DNA testing company.

There are several companies available right now on the market.

But as Ancestry DNA is the most popular kit on the market today then your best chance is by buying a kit from them.

9. The Ever-Growing DNA Community

There is a chance that you will be connect with a distant cousin.

DNA testing is quite popular with family historians, and so it will take time for everyone interested in their family history to take the test.

And again it all depends though on which company your cousins decide to buy as well.

Ancestry DNA at present has the largest online community out of all the DNA testing companies.

Even if you don’t find what you are looking for right now there is always the possibility that new genealogy leads will come your way.

So, my advice is to take the test and see what comes your way.

10. Family Surname Research

If you are keen to discover your ancestors then you will be interested in learning all that you can about your family’s surname.

One of the first decisions that you will probably make on your genealogy journey is to follow your paternal line, i.e. your father’s father’s father, and so on.

After learning all that you can from your paternal line then you will use the skills that you have developed and apply them to all other branches of your family tree.

Another great tool that is available to you is DNA surname projects. Here you can check out your surname and find out what has been discovered.

This will undoubtedly provide you with even more information for you to digest. But please do not get too overwhelmed when you first start on your journey.

You don’t want to suffer burnout!


My Final Thoughts!

By now I have probably convinced you that buying a test kit is the next step for you on your genealogy journey.

Although that decision is solely yours.

I just wanted to show you what you can achieve by taking the test. But there are many more reasons and benefits that you can gain from having your DNA tested.


Thank You and Please Leave A Comment

I hope you enjoyed this post giving you 10 reasons why you should buy an Ancestry DNA testing kit. If you have any questions or comments then please leave a comment below.

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Article Name
Why Buy An Ancestry DNA Testing Kit?
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10 reasons why to buy an Ancestry DNA testing kit. A cheap way to discover your heritage, and connect with distant cousins. But there are more reasons.
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The Genealogy Guide
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10 thoughts on “10 Reasons Why You Should Buy An Ancestry DNA Testing Kit!”

  1. This is a really great article about the pros of Ancestry DNA testing. I have been in two minds about doing a test. I really like the idea of finding relatives and ancestry I didn’t know I had. That’s what leads me back to reading about it and debating doing it. What is holding me back is I read that law enforcement has asked for access to the database. I’m a law-abiding citizen but have some reservations about the use of this information. Have you heard this?

    1. Hi Megan,

      DNA testing is great way to finding our ancestors as well as living relatives as well. But I can understand your reservations.

      There have only been a handful of cases where DNA companies did hand over to police the DNA of suspects. Notice that I did say suspects. So a law-abiding citizen should not worry about this. Although there are concerns from some that this could be the start of something. Maybe private investigators getting hold of people’s DNA for example.

      Until that happens, and I doubt that it would, your DNA results will be secure within the records of whichever DNA company that you choose to buy.

      1. Thank you for that clarification, Owain. I suppose it is like any new technological advances – the policies, procedures, and privacy concerns have to play catch up! I have more food for thought now on the topic. I must admit I am very interested to find out whether my dad’s side ever lived anywhere but England!

        Thanks again for the informative post about Ancestry DNA and for your take on the concerns I had. I will definitely be giving this some serious consideration!

        Regards,
        Megan

      2. Glad that I could be of help Megan. I know what you’re saying though. As this is a new area I feel that laws will need to be added and for this to be looked into more seriously if something arises.

  2. Interesting post on Reasons Why one Should Buy An Ancestry DNA Testing Kit. I didn’t realize that there were so many reason why I should consider this.

    I have always thought about buying a kit but I was not quite sure. After reading this post though I have made up my mind and will be getting one.

    You’ve added to my knowledge. Keep it up. Thank you so much.

    1. You’re welcome Vic. You really do learn a lot about your ancestors through DNA testing. It is such an exciting resource that is available to genealogists. Just why wouldn’t you want to buy a kit?

  3. I’m not ready to jump on the DNA testing bandwagon. I have my family history recorded back to the Mayflower, so I’m pretty sure my ancestors came over from England. Not sure what I would gain by getting it done. My ancestors are pretty clearly European.

    1. Hi Melinda,

      Thank you for your comment. I would like to start off by saying that even if you are sure where your ancestors come from you may find a surprising ethnicity in the mix.

      The other great benefit of a DNA test though that I quite like is that you can connect with distant cousins. So that’s definitely worth trying right?

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