DNA Testing isn’t a new product discovered today. Finding out your own family history may lead you to surprising facts about your family.
Some people use it for fun. On the other hand it could be the only way to connect lost relatives you never even knew. If you’re looking to get all of the details, MyHeritage has that for you. It allows you to trace your family’s heritage or find out about other clans around the globe.
One thing to note is that they can only conduct autosomal testing. This is an effective method to connect with relatives and ethnic lineage.
In this review, we’ll look at how MyHeritage is used and how accurate it is.
Before you continue, you may want to watch this video by Family History Fanatics on YouTube that gives a quick overview. After, you’ll want to read the rest of the article for a more comprehensive review of MyHeritage.
Pros and Cons of MyHeritage Download MyHeritage Gedcom File
Pros
- Results are available in 3-4 weeks
- 24/7 customer service
- Each paid DNA test includes a software to build your family tree
- DNA tests and personal information are protected in a private manner
- Easy to comprehend results
Cons
- DNA doesn’t provide any health-related information
- Small database of approximately 2.4 million records
- No in-depth explanations were given to explain your findings
- yDNA and mtDNA tests are not available
MyHeritage DNA Ethnicities Estimates
MyHeritage has access to 42 ethnicities, including Irish, Jewish, Native American, Japanese, and many more. The estimates break down your ethnic heritage into percentages. A list of regions is provided of your ancestors, including the father’s and mother’s sides. Each of them is unique in its percentage that is your DNA.
These percentages can be explored through a map created by MyHeritage. It highlights shared ethnicities as well as ancestral sites, which include significant events that took place like births and deaths.
Taking the DNA Test
You can sign up for a free account on MyHeritage to begin the test. The account will be used for the test kit to gather the details. The kit will use a swab to be put inside your cheek for 45 seconds. Then you put saliva in the vials provided and ship this kit directly to the company.
Any age group may take the test. Even infants can take it with the permission from the parent or the guardians. The test can also be beneficial for those who are elderly as they are more prone to having a difficult time producing enough saliva.
DNA Reports
DNA Reports in MyHeritage are ready within 3-4 weeks. When you receive the email notification the report will show an image of genetic data showing your ethnicity and percentages.
After taking the test, you can upgrade the kit at a cost of $49 to access all the kits for health. This information is not given when you purchase the kit at first. You’re required to fill in a questionnaire which is then carefully reviewed by a qualified physician. A clinical team by the company will review the report when genetic counseling is needed.
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DNA Matching
It’s possible to get DNA match using the website’s privacy settings. The website compares your data with other users so one can analyze potential relatives. There might come a result that you match your fifth or fourth cousins. They make sure that all distant relatives are included.
When you have more match-ups, chances are that the relationship could be real. It all depends on the proportion of common genetic sequences.
DNA Family Tree
The family tree is a free software that is provided by MyHeritage. Once the results are given you can make your own to trace the origins of your relatives from. This includes smart matching, which finds profiles in other family trees to locate a match.
While trying to determine where a particular relative came from, there’s no provided information why the person decided to migrate. Some family members are willing to find the reason why.
What they do have What they have is an active search engine that searches through billions of historical information in the database.
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Customer Support & Knowledge Base
A help center and knowledge database is available on MyHeritage’s website. It contains instructions on payment options, as well as instructions on understanding DNA. Their customer support is toll-free in several countries, including that of the United States and European countries.
MyHeritage Data Privacy
The information you provide to MyHeritage is used for internal business purposes. They calculate the relationships between families, test DNA samples, or raw DNA.
This information is never traded, distributed, or licensed to third-party companies. When this feature is set up sharing DNA matches is included. MyHeritage would not share results from DNA when needed or in the event that it is acquired from the owners.
It’s viable to stop MyHeritage from sharing personal information from DNA matches and being seen on results of searches.
Database Size
Compared to existing databases, MyHeritage has 2.4 million records, the smallest in the industry to date. This could be a good reason to find unknown new relatives.
Data Exportability
This is the area where MyHeritage shines. Apart from the fact that it can let you upload test results from existing providers, you can download your own DNA data. Some services will not allow you to upload your data to any other service once the data is uploaded to their servers.
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Regional Granularity
Although MyHeritage has access to 42 countries, this is one of their weaknesses compared to competitors. This is particularly important for autosomal test results as the data is divided into specific areas of significance for culture.
Pricing Plans
MyHeritage has two ways to use their service Kits or subscription. With the subscription option, you can avail of their services at no cost in the case of a family tree with 250 members. However, you won’t get access to their features. If you are able pay for their subscriptions, they offer paid plans. It starts at $79/year for the Premium Plan as well as $189 annually for the Comprehensive Plan.
Each one of them is able to access specific features per pricing plan.
On the contrary, they have a kit that can be completed at the convenience of your own home. There are two options available: Standard and Health & Ancestry.
Standard Kit
For $90 plus shipping costs, you get ethnicity reports and access to the MyHeritage DNA Matches on their website. Contact potential relatives with matches.
Health and Ancestry Kit
The kit is $220 with shipping charges. The main difference is the fact that it includes information on carrier risk and genetic risks. Example: a family who has an history of diabetes as well as other medical risks. Even rare illnesses may be included.
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Verdict
If your primary goal is getting to know your family’s ethnic background, then MyHeritage is a great research tool.
You can have a complete look into your genetics, yet you won’t be able to determine how your ancestors moved around the world. Health-related information will not be available unless you’re willing to pay some extra. Download MyHeritage Gedcom File
They have an extensive database where you can browse whatever you like. It’s also possible to upload your DNA data to MyHeritage to find any potential matches. Download MyHeritage Gedcom File
The information they provide to them is subject to the possibility of a breach. MyHeritage makes sure that any data that is uploaded on their website is secured with layers of encryption. In general, users around the world have confidence in them.
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Most Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Download MyHeritage Gedcom File
What exactly is MyHeritage?
MyHeritage is a platform for genealogy established by Gilad Japhet. Their mission is to link distant relatives from the past and present via DNA testing. It combines genetics with family records to enable people from all paths of life to join.
Does MyHeritage have a privacy policy?
Yes. The data stored in MyHeritage is secure, and it is CLIA-certified and Accredited by the CAP. DNA tests and personal data are protected through various encryptions. Only you are able to access the raw DNA data as well as DNA results.
Any information given by MyHeritage won’t be shared with any third companies. They will only release the information when the owner requests it or if it is necessary to.
What time will the results be provided by MyHeritage?
It can take between 3 and 4 weeks before the kit is returned to the company. When the results are released, they will be notified by email. The results will be displayed at MyHeritage. MyHeritage website.
How do DNA samples are processed within MyHeritage?
MyHeritage utilizes microarray-based test for DNA autosomal. Raw data is given which the company calculates the DNA match and ethnicity based on every ancestral lineage both maternal and paternal.
Do you want to give MyHeritage DNA for a gift?
It’s possible. You can either ship it yourself , along with the address of the recipient, or let MyHeritage handle it for you. When they receive the kit, they’ll sign up for a new account and activate the equipment. Following activation, the business will send emails about the results of their tests and samples.
Does the DNA test cost anything?
It’s not true. MyHeritage will allow you to upload your DNA test results at no cost, but the test itself is not. You either avail of the kit or sign up to one of their plans.
What’s the cost for a MyHeritage subscription?
Depending on the features you avail of, it starts at $79 per year to the Standard Plan and $189 for the Complete Plan. Each plan comes with unique features, and you get more of them as you spend more.
Can you cancel a MyHeritage subscription?
Naturally. On your MyHeritage website, simply click on your name and then select “My purchases.” Then select “Site Subscribers.” After seeing the status of your subscription, select “View Details.” There, you will see the “Stop Renewal” button.