Family History Research and DNA Tests

Having submitted a sample for genealogy DNA testing with 23andMe earlier this year, I have enjoyed exploring my genetic ancestral history and discovering more about my ancient Neanderthal and Denisovan progenitors. I took advantage of the free data upload to Living DNA which gave a more detailed breakdown of my British and Irish ancestry, and discovered some ancient relatives who had  interesting histories such as a late Roman period man who was buried at Crypta Balbi in Rome, a Ukrainian prince, and a victim of the St Brice’s Day Massacre in Dorset. I share DNA with Classical period Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, which is rather exciting as it contributes to understanding of how populations shifted around that time. I’m now ready to continue researching my more recent family history through Ancestry DNA, but unlike Living DNA, Ancestry DNA don’t accept DNA data uploads, so I’ve had to order a new test, but at least it’s less than half the usual price and it comes with a three month subscription to world wide membership for £1.

Has anybody researched their more recent family history using Ancestry UK or any other company and is it necessary or worth employing a professional genealogist? I am concerned that costs could escalate as I explore the various branches of recent family.


Copied from Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, Public Library Online

Parents
  • I would be tempted to find out more seeing as I already have a mixed international ancestry, with quirks as some of that is known mixed too. But then it might end up too vague and nonsensical to be of use.

  • That’s the thing. Living DNA very accurately reflected my known recent ancestry on one side of the family. I can’t say if it is accurate on the other side although I’m hoping my membership of Ancestry will help in my family tree search and will help confirm or eliminate some ancestral lines. 

    I am finding it difficult to grasp all the terminology and concepts that go along with testing. I am shortly going to be learning about finding matches in the DNA in results between different companies (I haven’t got the DNA terminology right yet). 

  • Yeah I was reading the info in the picture you posted and it sounds such a complex thing to get your head round, but probably fascinating when you do!

    I was wondering how cross continental it can manage, my maternal ancestry is in Sri Lanka, though I bear the hallmarks of colonial era (which is a known) there as I have blue eyes which match my Scottish paternal side but you need it from both. 

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  • Yeah I was reading the info in the picture you posted and it sounds such a complex thing to get your head round, but probably fascinating when you do!

    I was wondering how cross continental it can manage, my maternal ancestry is in Sri Lanka, though I bear the hallmarks of colonial era (which is a known) there as I have blue eyes which match my Scottish paternal side but you need it from both. 

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