Test Kit: Genetic Testing for Ancestry & Ethnicity Covering 2,114 Geographic Regions and DNA Matching to Relatives

UPDATED 9/4/19 following results. See below.In recent months I’ve bought a couple of ancestry dna kits. Each offers something a little different and together, the data and information returned is building a complex and fascinating picture of my roots.This kit is beautifully presented and if you were looking for a gift, it’s certainly quality packaging. The test itself is very easy to undertake. The kit has a unique identifier code and you need to register on the myheritage site in order to input the code and activate the test process. There are two vials with screwtops and two sterile sealed swabs. You open one swab pack and use the stick to wipe round the cheek inside your mouth for around a minute. Then drop the swab end into the vial, break off the stick and close firmly. Repeat for other cheek, then place both vials in the supplied bag and seal in provided envelope.The contents are returned to Houston, Texas (postage was £3.30 air mail). Results are promised within 4 to 6 weeks and I’ll update this review with detail of the information they give. So far, very impressed and believe the data will add to the detail of my family background. I already know my Haplogroup and subclade from another test, so this will, I hope, give more information about specific areas.UPDATE 9/4/19Results took longer than expected, but MyHeritage did keep me informed about delay (some systems upgrade).The data is very easy to follow and supports findings from other two tests. The ethnicity details are more refined than on Ancestry, with a lot of very specific data about European and Central American background. I’m impressed by the accuracy and even more impressed by a list of >2500 DNA matches by name and location. Various system tools allow you to identify relatives by country, ethnicity or closeness of match. Contact is free, access to their trees etc requires membership. There are three levels depending on what info you require. Currently, I’ve just used free contact to find out more info directly from individuals who are happy to help. MyHeritage has provided more contacts than Ancestry and there’s less American bias. Overall, I think this was a worthwhile investment and it’s added a lot of interesting background to the other tests. I’m happy to recommend as either a starter kit as a taster and potentially an invaluable tool for more detailed genealogy. You can upload raw data too.

Easy to use works well, however you need to screenshot your results to look back on them as they only let you view them for a limited time after you receive them.

Kit sent off about a month ago. We've sent messages to My Herutage with no reply. The code sent was not accepted. As it stands our money has been wasted and we are not sure what we can do next. This was a birthday present for my husband and a complete waste of money.

After months of considering this test I eventually decided to give it a go. The kit arrived with clear instructions and the need to register online. After completing the cheek swabs I duly secured them in the vials provided and sent them off via the post office for an additional cost of £9.75 (tracked).Having previously read many reviews I was expecting to wait 4 to 8 weeks, but it took just 3 weeks before I could view the results online...I'm English born and bred, my parents are both English born and bred, as are all my grandparents, yet the results came back 47% English, 46% Scandinavian and 6% Iberian.What I did find fascinating were the three circled sections. The first inner circle is 'Close Family' of which there were one, my half brother (27.1% match), who hadn't told me he had done the test so I wasn't expecting him to pop up, but sure enough he was there. MH's estimate was that this match was either a half-brother or nephew... Impressive!The second was 'Extended Family' and I found that I had a first cousin, once removed (5%) who I'd never met or even heard of before. I've left him a message and will update this again if contact is made and it is proven that we are in fact related. After my half-brother I have little doubt that we are.The final section consisted of 4996 matches showing people from all over the world that have a small match (1.1% or less in my case) which are stated as 3rd or 4th (or higher) cousins.All in all an interesting first step into the world of DNA and ancestry.

It is the second kit I order as a present. I highly recommend it.

Hello I recently purchased this DNA kit after months of deliberation. The test arrived, giving clear instructions of use. I've sent it off to an address in Texas. Just excitedly now awaiting the results, and hoping both vials get there safely. I will update you once all done. Thank you UPDATEVery impressed by this kit. Didn't take very long to arrive, and contained extensive information about my heritage with famijy contact details. Information Very well presented. Highly recommend

A novel idea. Fun as a birthday / xmas present. Plus how much do you trust it says the guy down the street has 98% the same dna as one of your children!? The wife for some reason isnt too keen to discuss! This company also then try spamming you with "matches" in the hope you'll spend more money, for some extra features. Fun to find out what parts of the world you might infact have come from / your roots, with some very interesting graphs and topology.

I was Adopted from birth and was always told I was Jamaican and Greek.But I always felt different so I finally took the plunge and ordered a DNA testTurns out I'm neitherI'm Italian and NigerianI'm very happy to find this out as it answers a lot of questions I had about myself. I would say if you are interested in what your DNA make up isMyheritage is the one to use, not to mention I got my results in under a month !