DNA Testing isn’t a new product discovered today. Finding out your own family history may reveal some unforeseen information regarding your relatives.
For some, it’s just for entertainment. However, for others it could be the only method to reconnect with lost family members who you’ve never met. If you’re looking to get all the information you need, MyHeritage has that for you. This way, you can find your family’s history or learn about various clans across the world.
It is important to remember that they are only able to conduct autosomal testing, which is an effective way of connecting to relatives and ethnic lineage.
In this review, we will look at the way 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 review. After, you will want to read the rest of our article for a more comprehensive review.
Pros and Cons of MyHeritage MyHeritage Forums
Pros
- The results are announced in 3-4 weeks
- 24/7 customer service
- Every purchase of a DNA test includes a no-cost software to build your family tree
- Personal information and DNA tests are protected in a private manner
- Easy to understand results
Cons
- DNA doesn’t provide any health-related information
- Small database of about 2.4 million records
- No in-depth explanations were given for your results
- The mtDNA and yDNA tests are not available
MyHeritage DNA Ethnicities Estimates
MyHeritage offers access to 42 ethnicities, which includes Irish, Jewish, Native American, Japanese, and many more. The estimation breaks down your ethnic heritage into percents. A list of the regions of your ancestors’, which includes your mother’s and father’s sides. Each region has its own percentage that is your DNA.
These percentages can be explored on a map provided by MyHeritage. It displays shared ethnicities and ancestral sites, which include significant occasions such as births and deaths.
Doing the DNA Test
You can create a free login on MyHeritage to get started with the test. Your account is used in the kit to collect the details. In the kit, you use a swab to be placed in your cheek for about 45 seconds. Then you put saliva in the vials that are provided and then ship your kit back to business.
People of any age can take the test. Even infants are able to take the test provided they have consent from parent or the guardians. This test can be helpful for those who are elderly as they have a more challenging time producing enough saliva.
DNA Reports
DNA Reports in MyHeritage can be completed within 3-4 weeks. Once you have received the email It will display the map of your genetic information that shows your ethnicity as well as percentages.
After taking the test, you can upgrade the kit for $49 to gain access to all the kits for health. This information isn’t provided when availing of the kit at first. It is mandatory that you fill out the questionnaire, which is carefully reviewed by a qualified medical professional. An in-house clinical team will further examine the report in the event that genetic counseling is required.
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DNA Matching
It’s possible to find DNA matches via the privacy settings of the website. The website compares your data with other users to identify possible relatives. It could result in a situation that you match your fourth or fifth cousins. They will ensure that all close relatives can be included.
If there are more matches, chances are the relationship may be valid. It all depends on the percentage of common genetic sequences.
DNA Family Tree
The family tree is a free software provided by MyHeritage. After the results are provided you can make your own to determine the origins of your relatives from. It also includes smart matching, which looks up families with similar profiles to locate a match.
While trying to determine where a particular relative came from, there isn’t provided information why the person chose to move. Certain family members are eager to determine the reason.
What they do have What they have is a search engine that is able to scan through the billions of old records within the databases.
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Knowledge Base and Customer Support
A help center and knowledge base is available on MyHeritage’s website. It contains instructions on payment options, as well as instructions on understanding DNA. Customer support is available free in a variety of countries, including the United States and European countries.
MyHeritage Data Privacy
The information you provide to MyHeritage is used to run internal business. They calculate the relationships between families, test DNA samples, or raw DNA.
This information is never transferred, sold or licensed to any third-party companies. When this feature is set up, sharing DNA matches are included. MyHeritage would only share DNA results when requested or in the case that it is acquired from the owner.
It’s viable to stop MyHeritage to not share personal information from DNA matches and being seen on results of searches.
Database Size
In comparison to other databases, MyHeritage has 2.4 million records, which is the lowest database in the market until now. This could be a good reason to discover new relatives.
Data Exportability
This is the area where MyHeritage shines. Aside from the fact it allows you to upload data from existing test providers, you can download your own DNA raw data. Certain providers will not allow you to upload your data to different services after they have uploaded it to their site.
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Regional Granularity
While MyHeritage provides access to 42 countries that are not covered by MyHeritage, this is one of the weaknesses of their competitors. This is particularly important in the case of autosomal test results since the data is divided into specific regions of cultural significance.
Pricing Plans
MyHeritage has two ways to avail their services Kits or subscription. In the subscription the subscription, you have access to their services for free for a family tree that has 250 members. However, you won’t get access to their features. If you can purchase a subscription, they offer it as a paid service. 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 based on the pricing plan.
On the other hand, they provide kits that can be done in the comfort of your own home. There are two options available: Standard and Health & Ancestry.
Standard Kit
For $90, plus shipping costs, you get reports on ethnicity and access to MyHeritage’s DNA matches via their website. You can contact potential relatives who match.
Health and Ancestry Kit
This kit costs $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 considered.
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Verdict
If the main intention is getting to know your ethnic heritage, then MyHeritage is an excellent research method.
You can have a complete look into your genetics, yet you won’t know the exact route your ancestors took across the globe. Even health-related information won’t be available unless you’re willing to charge an extra fee. MyHeritage Forums
They have an extensive database that you can search through anything you want. You can also upload your DNA data to MyHeritage to search for possible matches. MyHeritage Forums
Understandably, the information given to them is subject to the possibility of a breach. MyHeritage makes sure that any data that is uploaded on their website is secured by multiple layers of encryptions. All in all, users from around the world are able to trust them.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) MyHeritage Forums
What exactly is MyHeritage?
MyHeritage is a genealogy website established by Gilad Japhet. Their goal is to bring together distant relatives from the past and present by conducting DNA tests. The test combines genetics and family records to enable individuals from all walks of life join.
Does MyHeritage have a privacy policy?
Yes. Information stored on MyHeritage is safe, and it is CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited. DNA tests and personal information are secured through multiple encryptions. Only you are able to view the raw DNA data as well as DNA test results.
Any information given MyHeritage will be kept confidential. MyHeritage is not shared with third companies. They will only provide the data when the owner requests it or when it is required to.
How long will the results be provided by MyHeritage?
It can take between 3 and 4 weeks before the kit arrives back at the company. When the results are released the company will notify them through email and will be posted on the MyHeritage website.
How are DNA samples processed within MyHeritage?
MyHeritage employs microarray-based, test for DNA autosomal. Raw data is given which MyHeritage uses to calculate genetic matches as well as ethnicities using all ancestral lines, maternal and paternal.
Can you give the MyHeritage DNA as a present?
It’s possible. You can ship it yourself , along with the address of the recipient or let MyHeritage take care of it. After they have received the kit, they will create a new account and then activate the equipment. Following activation, the business will notify them of their samples and results.
Does the DNA test cost anything?
It’s not true. MyHeritage can let you upload your raw DNA data for free, however the test itself is not. You can either use the kit or subscribe to any of their plans.
What is the cost of a MyHeritage subscription?
Based on the plan you benefit from, it begins at $79/year to the Standard Plan and $189/year for the Comprehensive Plan. Each plan has its own unique features, and you get more of them as you spend more.
Can you revoke a MyHeritage subscription?
Naturally. At the MyHeritage website, click your name and select “My Purchases.” After that, click “Site Subscriptions.” After seeing how your subscription is performing, click “View Details.” Below that, you’ll locate”Stop Renewal” and “Stop Renewal” button.