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Ancestry DNA Testing Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.8 / 5 (Excellent)
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Ancestry is a Utah-based firm that has been in the business of supporting people's genealogical investigations since 1983. It offers both DNA testing and access to an extensive database of genealogical records. The company does business in the United States and 29 other countries.
 
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How is Ancestry rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Products & Services
4.5/5
Privacy & Security
5.0/5
Online Resources
4.5/5
Cost & Availability

Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5 (Excellent)

Ancestry shines in the way it connects modern DNA testing to traditional genealogical research methods. On the DNA side, its service is easy to use and its interpretations of the test results are easy to understand. Its DNA testing prices are among the lowest in the industry. The firm's reputation is typical of that of many large companies. All in all, Ancestry is an excellent choice for consumers who want to get a basic idea of their geo-genetic heritage and who want the option of delving deeper into records-based genealogical research.

Ancestry Testing Features

Testing Features - 5 / 5

Ancestry only tests autosomal DNA, so people interested in mitochondrial or Y-chromosome testing may want to look elsewhere. However, within its wheelhouse, Ancestry is efficient and provides customers with a test that does provide estimates about the components of their genetic heritage.
DNA Testing Features
Autosomal
Time for Results
Approximately 6 - 8 weeks
Collection Method
Saliva
Company Does Own Testing
Yes

Ancestry Results Analysis

Products & Services - 5 / 5

As its name suggests, Ancestry is primarily focused on helping people discover their ancestors. To that end, the company does a very good job of providing users with maps that show the regions from where their DNA may have originated.
Size of Database
7 million
Number of Geographical Regions Identified
350
Identification of Relatives
Yes

Ancestry Other Services

Online Resources - 5 / 5

Ancestry began as a conventional genealogical research company and today is unsurpassed in terms of the number of resources it offers its customers. These include public records, transport manifests, and news articles from all over the world. It should be noted, however, that continued use of these resources requires a paid monthly subscription.
DNA for Medical Purposes
No
Mobile App
Yes
Family Tree Creator
Yes

Member Features

  • Online Forum
  • Contact with Other Members
  • Blog

Migration Information

Ancestry maintains a blog and publishes articles that address issues of migration.

Ancestry Pricing

Cost & Availability - 4.5 / 5

Ancestry offers its DNA ancestry test at a regular price of $99.
Basic Kit Price
$99 (excluding taxes and shipping)
Discounts and Offers
At time of writing, the company was offering its basic DNA test for a sale price of $69.

Cost of Add-ons

Ancestry offers access to its vast database of genealogical documents as a subscription that costs between $19.99 and $44.99 month, depending on the geographic range of data required.

Ancestry Reputation

Reputation - 4.5 / 5

Ancestry is one of the oldest and largest personal DNA testing companies. Like all companies that operate on its size and scale, it is the subject of a number of critical comments on sites such as the BBB and Trustpilot. Approximately half of these concern billing issues and difficulty canceling the company's subscription service. The other half include many complaints to the effect that the DNA results can't be right because they contradict what people had always assumed about their genealogy. It's likely, however, that some of these complainants are confusing ethnicity with genealogy. And as the company reminds its customers on its website, DNA results "may challenge our visions of ourselves." For those reasons, Ancestry's reputation appears to be on par with its that of its largest competitors.
BBB Rating
A+
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
5
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
105
Year Founded
1983
Trust Pilot Rating
6.8 out of 10
Date Collected
2018-03-16

Ancestry Privacy

Privacy & Security - 4.5 / 5

Ancestry devotes a large section of its website explaining a number of aspects of DNA privacy. The company explicitly states that "we do not share common identifying information linked to your genetic or health data with third parties unless we obtain your explicit consent or are required to do so." It also states "We store your DNA test results and DNA sample without your name or other common identifying information such as your address. We do not share with third parties common identifying information linked to your genetic or health data except as legally required or with your explicit consent." As such, its privacy policies are in line with those of the best in the industry.
Disclosure to Third Parties
No

Company Profile

Full Name
Ancestry DNA Testing
Company Website
https://www.ancestry.com
Headquarters
1300 W. Traverse Parkway, Lehi, UT, 84043
Mailing Address
1300 W. Traverse Parkway, Lehi, UT, 84043

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Customer Comments & Reviews

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ladylikedreamer
5/18/2022
I have been paying $100 2x a year for quite a few years now (that's on top of the initial $ amount you pay for the test). I was stoked to get the results. I didn't really keep up with it for a couple years, but when I went back to dive deeper into it, my whole DNA chart had shifted VERY drastically. And then it did it again a couple of years later. So my question becomes, did they/do they know ANYTHING about your lineage/genealogy from the actual blood tests, or are they piecing it together as people enter their family lineage information FOR FREE on their own time WHILE STILL PAYING THIS COMPANY? And then I was trying to add more information into my family tree, only to discover that I... Read More

stevenjpatrick
12/9/2019
I was tremendously excited to get my Ancestry DNA kit for my birthday, in 2017. I spit in the tube, sent it in, and waited. I would finally get answers about where I came from and many things I didn't know. The results came and I was stunned and delighted and told everybody I know to get their test done. Soon after, I started getting emails from Ancestry, trying to sell me a dozen different things which I neither wanted not needed. After about two months of my not replying, I got what they called an update. They said they had refined my test results and here are your new results, Steve! The results were COMPLETELY different. Almost NONE of the origins information that I first... Read More

Top Rated
Our Partner
  • Tests for 650,000 genetic markers
  • Ancestry results go back 10 generations
  • Partnership with over 200 laboratories
  • Young, growing company
  • Invested in mapping out the world’s genetic roots
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