I did that for my mom for Christmas, we just got the results back. She wasn't really interested but the six of kids were. I will be doing one on myself shortly.

I've heard horror stories about families buying these tests - skeletons being what they are. lol

I’m Heinz 57 and DH is German/Polish. Think I will get mine done later this year.

Adellabedella, the DNA tests done by 23andMe reveal health information, but Ancestry's do not.

I bought one for my mother in law, who is VERY into genealogy. She's done extensive on-line research about both her family and her husband's family, including special trips to visit graveyards and court houses across the country. Yet, you'd have thought I handed her a bag of dog doo when I gave her the Ancestry kit. I heard from her other son that she eventually did the test about six months later, but she didn't bother to share the results with anyone.

I saw some report on a TV news show that these commercial DNA kit results are not accurate. Don't remember much else.

Having watched several reveals I think people are expecting much more from the tests than they are designed for. Another thing is that especially for Europe armies of all kinds tramped all over the place. They were of all kinds of ethnic and nationalities. Some dynasties ruled over wide areas such as the Hapsburgs and or the Huns. The only thing that has surprised me on these reveals is how many pacific island DNA shows up. I would expect it in any area surrounding the Indian and Pacific Oceans but not so much in Northern Europe.

Is anyone concerned about sending their DNA off to an unknown place? Since all of my grandparents came from the same country of origin, I am confident of my ancestry.

I read of a case where DNA was left at a crime scene and police obtained a subpoena for an ancestry website. They had to turn over the results and the person was convicted of a crime. Good for law enforcement but a cautionary tale for those putting their DNA on file anywhere.

As you may or may not remember, I've posted about how inaccurate these tests are, even in the professional world. That being said, I heard a new one this week and it applies to ancestry kits. When they tell you it's your 2nd cousin, that's not right. It's supposed to be 2nd "degrees of separation", which can include: uncles, aunts, grandparents, and "double cousins". Sheesh DNA analysis kits need to come with huge disclaimers--Just for fun! type of warning.

Yes they really should come with that type of disclaimer. I have been watching a real detective show looking for a killer and they were able to use these databases of familial DNA tests for their search. So apparently if you submit your DNA it will be available to various law enforcement agencies and who knows what else. I figured that would happen. That could become another huge resource for the law.

I have no desire to throw money at this parlor game. I don't need to have my DNA in any database. People should read the fine print but they don't. Your DNA can be sold to 3rd parties unless you take steps to protect yourself.. Most people don't read the agreements. This information is kept in computer databases. Nothing is private. If hackers can get into secured financial bases they certainly can get into Ancestry and the like data bases.

Not this again! LOL

Was quite controversial around Christmas-time due to privacy concerns.

A good mix of fact and fiction being posted here and a shot of impossible along with it. If you don't know anything about it, your opinion doesn't count. I have done it. Other family members have done it. No worries for us. Those who have done it or plan to, I recommend subscribing to some professional blogger newsletters to get you up to speed. Subscribe to half a dozen. It will take a while to grasp it but it will come.