dna.reinyday.com - Genealogical DNA Testing
About the Testing Centers
Update: As of June 2004, we are now offering Surname testing from two different facilities. You may choose which one best suits your needs.
DNA Heritage. You may choose DNA Heritage to administer the testing of your DNA sample. Their website is available at www.dnaheritage.com and they are very helpful at answering any questions you may have. The actual testing is done by SorensonGenomics in Utah, which is the only laboratory in the world to be ISO accredited for genealogical testing. The following are some pros and cons:
+ is very reputable
+ is prompt and helpful at answering questions
+ is the only lab that tests all genetic genealogy samples in duplicate!
+ is cheaper (43 markers for $189 vs. Family Tree DNA's 37 markers for $189)
+ uses the only laboratory in the world to be ISO accredited for genealogical testing
+ follows NIST standardised scientific nomenclature
+ maintains Ybase
+ returns results within 3.5 weeks!
+ now stores DNA after testing
+ now offers mtDNA (maternal) testing
- tests fewer Y-DNA markers (43 markers vs. 67 at Family Tree DNA)
- curently only stores DNA for 3 years
Family Tree DNA. You may choose Family Tree DNA to administer the testing of your DNA sample. Their website is available at www.familytreedna.com and they are very helpful at answering any questions you may have. They were the US's first genealogy-driven DNA testing service. The actual testing is done by the Genomic Analysis & Technology Core (GATC) facility at the University of Arizona. The following are some pros and cons:
+ is exceptionally popular
+ is very reputable
+ is prompt and helpful at answering questions
+ hosts over 5,000 surname projects
+ stores DNA after testing
+ tests the most markers (67)
+ offers mtDNA (maternal) testing
+ maintains Ysearch
- is more expensive ($8.25-$5.92/marker vs. DNA Heritage's $4.62-$4.40/marker)
- charges for shipping (all other companies are free except Genebase, which has an exorbinant $12 shipping fee)
- returns results very slowly (i.e. months; my longest wait time was from ordering on 04 June 2007 and receiving the final results on 14 September 2007)
Other Companies. I believe the most popular genealogical DNA testing centers are currently Family Tree DNA, DNA Heritage, Ancestry.com (formerly Relative Genetics), and Oxford Ancestors. Genealogical DNA testing companies you may wish to explore are:
- United States:
- African Ancestry
- AncestryByDNA (DNAPrint Genomics)
- DNA Ancestry Project "powered by genebase"
- DNA Consulting - uses SorensonGenomics and offers DNAPrint
- DNA Testing by Ancestry.com - uses SorensonGenomics
- DNA Tribes
- Family Tree DNA
- GeneTree - owned by SorensonGenomics
- The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (free testing if you give them your family tree)
- United Kingdom:
- DNA Heritage - testing conducted by SorensonGenomics
- EthnoAncestry
- Oxford Ancestors
- Roots for Real
- Germany:
DNA Heritage offers an outdated price comparison. Competitor "1" is Relative Genetics. Competitor "2" is Family Tree DNA though the prices are lower through a Surname Project and they now offer 67 markers. Competitor "3" is Oxford Ancestors.
The following "Personal Genomics" or "Contract Genomic" companies offer DNA testing for health risks and traits with varying overlap of genealogical DNA testing:
Knome will test the full genome for $350,000. These genealogical DNA testing companies are now defunct:
- biotix of Germany
- DNA-Fingerprint - merged with Family Tree DNA in 2006
- GeoGene of the UK - closed October 2008 due to competition from National Geographic's Genographic Project
- JewishGen's Genealogy by Genetics - was run by Family Tree DNA but is now part of Ancestry.com
- Relative Genetics - (owned by SorensonGenomics) is now part of Ancestry.com
- ReliaGene - is now Orchid Cellmark
- Ancestry.com's "Genetic Genealogy" - was run by Family Tree DNA
- Trace Genetics
These companies offer DNA testing services but do not currently offer any tests specifically for genealogy:
- DNA Identity Testing Center - a division of Bio-Synthesis
- DNA Testing Centre, Inc.
- IDentidenetix
- Identigene
- niagen (also offers prenatal genetics)
Additional Information. To learn more, please select from one of the following links:
- About This Site
- About Genealogical DNA Testing
- About DNA Surname Projects
- About Public Databases
- Order a Genealogical DNA Test
- Contact Information
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