Finding out where I come from through AncestryDNA

Were you one of those people inspired to find out your real heritage after watching this video? I certainly was! 

Although I've always been told that I am 75% Serbian and 25% Croatian, I'd like to think there's more to me than that! AncestryDNA can help with that...AncestryDNA recently launched in the UK and Ireland – revolutionising the way that people can discover more about themselves and their family history and also connect with relatives.

I'm going to find out the percentages of where my ancestors come from and as a traveler, I'm super excited to see what diverse cultures I have in my blood!

AncestryDNA is offered by Ancestry – the world’s largest online family history resource – and uses advanced DNA technology to reveal genetic ethnicity and uncover new family connections with other people who have taken the test.

How does it work?

The AncestryDNA test uses microarray-based autosomal DNA testing, which surveys a person’s entire genome at over 700,000 locations via a simple saliva sample. Analysis of the DNA data provides a prediction of the locations of ancestors from 26 separate world-wide populations including Great Britain and Ireland, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and South and North Africa.

In contrast to Y-chromosome or mitochondrial DNA tests, which only test one line of your family and generally provide information about ancestry several thousand years ago, the AncestryDNA autosomal test targets the last few hundred or thousand years.

What is the process?

My journey began with a small kit that came through the letter box*. For something that seems so scientifically complex, I was pleasantly surprised at how simple the process was. 

The little box contained easy step-by-step instructions and even a freepost box. All you have to do is spit into a tube, mix it with a blue liquid to activate and pop it in a plastic bag before posting.

You then wait 6-8 weeks for your results. Once it is ready, you will receive an email and password to enter your account and view an 'ethnicity map' showing you where your ancestors come from. Pretty cool!

What happens to my DNA after I get the result?

A lot of people have mentioned that they are concerned about their DNA being held. I mean c'mon...unless you are Einstein I doubt you are going to be cloned, sorry to break it to you. :) 

DNA samples are tested in a secure third-party testing lab in the United States. AncestryDNA does not claim any ownership rights in the DNA that is submitted for testing, but they may use your results for further research in genealogy, anthropology, genetics, evolution, languages, cultures, medicine, and other topics. You can also ask for your results and DNA to be destroyed and deleted at any time by contacting the team directly.

See more detailed information about this here.

What else?

AncestryDNA can also help people identify relationships with unknown relatives through a list of possible DNA member matches. These results are a great starting point for additional research, collaboration, or to help people expand their family trees.

I'm really excited to find out the details of my origins! Check back here to see what my results show as I'll be reporting on that soon!

If you want to find out where you really come from, get your DNA kit on the AncestryDNA website and activate your ancestry journey.

You can also find out more about the test, the privacy statement and terms & conditions in the AncestryDNA FAQ page here.

Ana xx

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