Are you set up for success? We share four tips to help you get the most from your 23andMe DNA test.The popularity of DNA testing in recent years has resulted in a tremendous increase in the numbers of testers in the DNA companies’ databases. Those testers represent a wide spectrum of motivations, genealogy experience, and understanding of test results. But regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, one thing is certain: everyone wants something in return for their investment. So how can you … [Read more...]
“Was My Ancestor an Orphan?” Understanding Guardianship in Genealogy
Who is considered an orphan? Someone with no living parents? Not until the late 1800s. In this article we'll explain what guardianship really means.Genealogists may encounter references to orphans in guardianship or probate records. However, researchers shouldn’t assume both parents were deceased. Those who had lost only one parent, especially a father, were termed “social orphans.” In colonial times, children were considered assets in which their fathers had property rights. Widows could even … [Read more...]
DNA Testing Companies & Ethnicity Estimates Part I: The Ancestry Composition Tools of 23andMe
This article is part one in a series evaluating the different admixture tools available from the main DNA testing companies – MyHeritage, 23andMe, Family Tree DNA, and Ancestry. What can we glean from ethnicity estimates from each company?We’ve all heard the warnings: take DNA admixture predictions with a huge lump of salt. But can those ethnicity estimates provided with an autosomal DNA test still yield some valuable clues? The tools available at testing company 23andMe include some unique … [Read more...]
