DNA Testing isn’t a new product, but it is a product that has been observed. Finding out your own family history may lead you to surprising facts regarding your relatives.
For some, it’s just for entertainment. On the other hand it might be the only way to reconnect with lost family members you didn’t even know. If you’re looking for the whole package, MyHeritage has that for you. This way, you can discover your family’s past or find out about other clans across the world.
A point to be mentioned is that they are only able to conduct autosomal tests, which are an effective way of connecting with family members and the ethnic lineage.
This review we’ll discuss how MyHeritage works and how accurate it is.
Before you go on, you may want to check out this video by Family History Fanatics on YouTube that gives a quick overview. After, you will want to read the rest of the article for a more comprehensive review.
Pros and Cons of MyHeritage MyHeritage Halfdan Nilsen
Pros
- Results are available within 3-4 weeks.
- 24/7 customer service
- Every DNA test purchased includes a family tree software
- DNA tests and personal data are kept privately
- Easy to understand results
Cons
- DNA doesn’t provide any health-related information
- A limited database of around 2.4 million records
- No detailed explanations were provided to explain your findings
- The mtDNA and yDNA tests are not available
MyHeritage DNA Ethnicities Estimates
MyHeritage offers access to 42 various ethnicities, including Irish, Jewish, Native American, Japanese, and numerous others. The estimates break down your ethnic heritage into percentages. A list of regions is given of your ancestors’, which includes the father and mother’s side. Each of them is unique in its percentage of your DNA.
These percentages can be viewed using a map made available by MyHeritage. It displays shared ethnicities and ancestral places, including significant occasions like deaths and births.
The DNA Test
You can create a free login on MyHeritage to begin the test. Your account is used in the kit to collect the data. The kit will make use of a swab that is placed inside of your cheek for 45 seconds. Then you put saliva into the vials that are provided and then ship this kit directly to the company.
Any age group may take the test. Even infants are able to take the test with the consent from parent or the guardians. The test can also be beneficial for the elderly since they have a more challenging process of producing saliva.
DNA Reports
DNA Reports in MyHeritage are ready within 3-4 weeks. After receiving the notification email the report will show an image of genetic data including your ethnicity and percentages.
After doing the test, there’s an option to upgrade the kit for $49 and access all the kits for health. The information you need to provide is not provided when availing of the test at first. You’ll be required to complete an application form that is privately reviewed by a professional doctor. An in-house clinical team will then review the report to determine if genetic counseling is needed.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
DNA Matching
It’s possible to find DNA matches via the privacy settings of the website. It compares your information with others so one can analyze potential relatives. It could result in a situation where you may match with your fifth or fourth cousins. They make sure that even the distant cousins are automatically included.
If the matches are greater, the chances are that the relationship could be valid. The whole thing depends on the percentage of genetic sequences that are shared.
DNA Family Tree
The family tree is a free software that is provided by MyHeritage. After the results are provided you can make your own to trace the origins of your relatives from. It includes smart matching, which finds profiles in other family trees to find a match.
While trying to determine where an individual relative is from, there is no provided information why the person has decided to move to another region. Family members may be able to find the reason why.
What they do have, in turn, is a search engine that searches through billions of records from the past within the databases.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
Customer Support & Knowledge Base
A help center and knowledge base are available at MyHeritage’s website. It includes instructions, payment options, and information on how to comprehend DNA. Customer support is available free in a variety of countries which includes those in the United States and European countries.
MyHeritage Data Privacy
Any information given to MyHeritage is utilized for internal purposes. They analyze the relationships between families and test DNA samples or raw DNA.
This information is never traded, distributed or licensed to third-party companies. When enabled sharing DNA matches, they are included. MyHeritage would not share results from DNA if requested or in the case of acquisition by the owner.
It’s possible to disable MyHeritage to not share personal information derived from DNA matches. It can also be disabled from appearing in search results.
Database Size
Comparatively to databases that exist, MyHeritage has 2.4 million records, which is the lowest in the industry to date. This could be a good reason to find unknown new relatives.
Data Exportability
This is where MyHeritage shines. Apart from the fact that it lets you upload data from existing test providers, you can download your own raw DNA info. Some services will not permit you to upload your information to other services once the data is uploaded to their servers.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
Regional Granularity
Although MyHeritage offers access to 42 various regions This is among their shortcomings compared to their peers. This is especially important for results from autosomal tests since the information is broken down into specific areas that have significance to culture.
Pricing Plans
MyHeritage has two ways to avail their services Kits or subscription. With the subscription option, you can avail of their services at no cost for a family tree of 250 members. But, you don’t have 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 certain features as part of the price plan.
On the other hand, they provide an option to have the kit done at your own home. There are two options: Standard and Health & Ancestry.
Standard Kit
For $90, plus shipping fees, you receive reports on ethnicity and the ability to enter MyHeritage’s DNA match on their website. You can contact potential relatives that match.
Health and Ancestry Kit
This kit costs $220, with shipping charges. The major difference is having information about the risk of genetics and the status of carriers. A family example: a clan that has had a history of diabetes, and other medical risks. Even rare illnesses may be considered.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
Verdict
If the main intention is getting to know your ethnic heritage If so, MyHeritage is an excellent research technique.
You can have a complete glimpse of your genes, yet you won’t be able to determine how your ancestors moved across the globe. Health-related information will not be provided unless you’re willing to pay an extra fee. MyHeritage Halfdan Nilsen
They have an extensive database where you can browse anything you want. It is also possible to upload your DNA data to MyHeritage to find any potential matches. MyHeritage Halfdan Nilsen
The information they provide to them is susceptible to possible breaches. MyHeritage ensures that all information uploaded to the site is secured by multiple layers of encryption. Overall, users from all over the world are able to trust them.
> > Click Here to Try MyHeritage for Free < <
Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs) MyHeritage Halfdan Nilsen
What exactly is MyHeritage?
MyHeritage is a platform for genealogy established by Gilad Japhet. Their aim is to connect distant relatives of the past and present via DNA testing. The test combines genetics and family records to enable individuals from all walks of life to join.
Does MyHeritage have a privacy policy?
Yes. Information stored on MyHeritage is secure, and it is CLIA-certified and Accredited by the CAP. DNA tests and personal data are protected through multiple encryption methods. Only you are able to access the raw DNA data as well as DNA test results.
Any information given by MyHeritage won’t be shared with third companies. They will only provide the information to the person who requested it or is required to.
What time will the results be available from MyHeritage?
It will take 3 to 4 weeks after the kit is returned to the company. As the results are made available, they will be notified via email, and they will be published in the MyHeritage website.
How are DNA samples processed in MyHeritage?
MyHeritage employs microarray-based, autosomal DNA testing. Raw data is given which the company calculates DNA matches and ethnicities on the basis of all ancestral lines, both paternal and maternal.
Can you give the MyHeritage DNA for a present?
It’s possible. You can either ship it yourself along with the address of the recipient, or let MyHeritage handle it for you. After they have received the kit, they’ll sign up for a new account and activate the device. After activation, the company will send emails about their samples and results.
Does the DNA test cost anything?
It’s not true. MyHeritage allows you to upload your raw DNA data at no cost, but the test itself is not. You either avail of the kit or sign up to one of their plans.
How much is a MyHeritage subscription?
Depending on what you will take advantage of, it starts at $79 per year to the Standard Plan and $189/year for the Complete Plan. Each plan comes with its own exclusive features, and you can avail more of them when you pay more.
Can you cancel a MyHeritage subscription?
Yes, of course. At the MyHeritage website, simply click on your name and choose “My purchases.” Next, click “Site Subscriptions.” Once you have viewed how your subscription is performing, you can click “View the Details.” Below that, you’ll see”Stop Renewing” under “Stop renewal” button.