Tracing your family’s history and building your family tree has never been easier than with MyHeritage, a genealogy and family history platform that offers a range of powerful tools and features. With its vast database of historical records and intuitive interface, MyHeritage has become a go-to resource for millions of users worldwide.
In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at MyHeritage, exploring its features, benefits, and drawbacks, and help you determine if it is the right platform for your genealogy research. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, this review will provide you with all the information you need to get started with MyHeritage.
Before you continue, you may want to watch this video by Family History Fanatics on YouTube that gives a quick review. Afterward, you will want to read the rest of our article for a more comprehensive review of MyHeritage.
Pros and Cons of MyHeritage MyHeritage Review
Pros
- Results are given within 3-4 weeks.
- 24/7 customer service
- Every purchase of a DNA test includes a software to build your family tree
- DNA tests and personal information are kept privately
- Easy to comprehend results
Cons
- DNA does not offer any health-related or 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, which includes Irish, Jewish, Native American, Japanese, and numerous others. The estimate breaks down your ethnic background into percentages. A list of the regions of your ancestors, including the father and mother’s side. Each region has their own share that is your DNA.
These percentages can be viewed on a map provided by MyHeritage. It shows shared ethnicities and ancestral places, including significant occasions like deaths and births.
Taking the DNA Test
It is possible to create a no-cost MyHeritage account MyHeritage to begin the test. Your account is used to access the kit to collect the information. In the kit, you apply a swab placed inside of your cheek for 45 seconds. Then, you place saliva in the vials provided and ship the kit to the company.
Any age group can take the test. Even infants are able to take the test provided they have permission from the parents or guardians. This test is also helpful for those who are elderly as they are more prone to having a difficult in producing sufficient saliva.
DNA Reports
DNA Reports in MyHeritage are available within 3 to 4 weeks. When you receive the email notification It will display an image of genetic data showing your ethnicity and percentages.
After taking the test, there’s an option to upgrade the kit for $49 and gain access to the health kits. This information is not given when purchasing the kit at first. You’ll be required to complete the questionnaire, which is confidentially reviewed by a professional medical professional. 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 find DNA match using the privacy settings on the website. The website compares your data with other users to identify possible relatives. The result could be that you match your fourth or fifth cousins. They ensure that even close relatives can be included.
If there are more matches, chances are that the connection could be real. The whole thing depends on the proportion of genetic sequences that are shared.
DNA Family Tree
The family tree is 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 intelligent matching, which searches for families with similar profiles to find a match.
While trying to determine where an individual relative is from, there is no given information about the reason why the individual has decided to move to another region. Family members may be able to find the reason why.
What they have to offer is an active search engine that searches through billions of historical information within the databases.
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Customer Support & Knowledge Base
A help center and knowledge base is available on MyHeritage’s website. It contains instructions for payment options, payment methods, and information on how to comprehend DNA. Customer support is available free in a variety of countries which includes the United States and European countries.
MyHeritage Data Privacy
Any information given to MyHeritage is used to run internal business. They analyze the relationships between family members as well as test DNA samples and raw DNA.
The information is not transferred, sold, or licensed to third-party companies. When this feature is set up sharing DNA matches, they are included. MyHeritage would not share results from DNA if required or in the event of acquisition from the owner.
It is possible to block MyHeritage to not share personal information from DNA matches. It can also be disabled from appearing on results from searches.
Database Size
In comparison to other databases, MyHeritage has 2.4 million records, the smallest available in the field to date. This is a great reason to discover new relatives.
Data Exportability
This is where MyHeritage excels. Apart from the fact that it allows you to upload data from existing test providers, you can download your own raw DNA data. Some services will not permit you to upload your information to different services after it is uploaded at theirs.
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Regional Granularity
Although MyHeritage offers access to 42 countries This is among their shortcomings compared to their counterparts. This is especially important for results from autosomal tests since the data is broken down into specific regions that have significance to culture.
Pricing Plans
MyHeritage offers two ways to use their service: subscription or kits. If you subscribe the subscription, you have access to their services at no cost for a family tree with 250 members. However, you will not have access to any of their features. If you are able pay for their subscriptions, they offer paid plans. Starting at $79/year, you can get the Premium Plan as well as $189 annually for the Comprehensive Plan.
Each is able to access specific features based on the price plan.
On the other hand, they offer kits that can be completed at the convenience of your own home. There are two options: Standard and Health & Ancestry.
Standard Kit
For $90 plus shipping fees, you receive reports on ethnicity and access to the MyHeritage DNA Matches via their website. Contact potential relatives that match.
Health and Ancestry Kit
This kit is priced at $220 including shipping costs. The major difference is that it contains information on genetic risks and carrier status. For instance, a family has had a history of diabetes, and other medical risk factors. Even rare illnesses may be considered.
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Verdict
If your main objective is to discover your family’s ethnic background, then MyHeritage is an excellent research method.
You can take a detailed look into your genetics, yet you won’t know how your ancestors migrated around the world. Even health-related information won’t be available unless you’re willing pay an extra fee. MyHeritage Review
They have a huge database where you can browse whatever you like. You can also upload your DNA data to MyHeritage to search for possible matches. MyHeritage Review
Naturally, the information provided to them is subject to possible breach. MyHeritage ensures that all information uploaded to the site is protected by layers of encryptions. Overall, users from all over the world are able to trust them.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) MyHeritage Review
What is MyHeritage?
MyHeritage is a genealogy website created by Gilad Japhet. Their aim is to link distant relatives from the past and present by conducting DNA tests. The test combines genetics and family records to enable people from all walks of life to join.
Does MyHeritage have any privacy policies?
Yes. The data stored in MyHeritage is secure and it is CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited. DNA tests and your personal information are secured by various encryptions. Only you have the right to view the raw DNA data as well as DNA results.
The information provided by MyHeritage is not shared with any third companies. They will only release the data when the owner requests 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. Once the results are available and they are notified via email, and they will be displayed on the MyHeritage website.
How are DNA samples processed in MyHeritage?
MyHeritage uses microarray-based autosomal DNA testing. Raw data is provided to the company calculates genetic matches as well as ethnicities using the entire ancestral lineage, both paternal and maternal.
Is is possible to give MyHeritage DNA to someone as a gift?
It’s possible. You can either ship it yourself along with the address of the recipient, or let MyHeritage do it for you. After they have received the kit, they will create a new account and then activate the equipment. After activation, the company will notify them of the results of their tests and samples.
Is the DNA test free?
No. MyHeritage will allow you to upload your raw DNA data for free, but the test itself isn’t. You can either use the kit, or enroll in any of their plans.
How much is the cost of a MyHeritage subscription?
Depending on what you will take advantage of, it starts at $79/year to the Standard Plan and $189/year for the Complete Plan. Each plan comes with its own unique features, and you can avail more of them when you pay more.
Can you cancel a MyHeritage subscription?
Naturally. At your MyHeritage website, click your name and choose “My Orders.” Then select “Site Subscriptions.” After you’ve seen the status of your subscription, you can click “View details.” There, you will find the “Stop Renewal” button.