I'm fishing in the 23andme pond

I purchased a 23&me Ancestry test from Target.com for a little over $50(after tax) which included the lab processing fee.  This was during a sale they had which coincided with Amazon Prime Day.  My test sample went out in the mail on July 18th and I had the results by July 27th.  That's amazingly fast!!  A few days ago, I posted a comparison of the ethnicity results of my test on 23&me's latest chip with the results of the AncestryDNA test uploaded during their Discover23 promo on DNA day of 2018.

Now I am "fishing" in all of the big ponds for DNA matches and can give my observations on this test..  I knew that several of my paternal Cook cousins(in the 2nd cousin range) had tested there and not uploaded to GEDmatch yet so I was able to get that segment data for my DNApainter chromosome painting.  Also I found a known maternal 1st cousin & a known 1st Cousin once removed among those in my match list.  Neither of those had uploaded to GEDmatch.

I was also anxious to see what 23&me would come up with for my mtDNA haplogroup.  As I've mentioned in previous blog post, my daughter took the FULL mtDNA test and is H3-T152C!. This backwards mutation is also present in descendants of my 4th Great Grandmother mother's sister so we know it happened prior to 1797.  I think 23&me did pretty well.  They show me as H3.

I have never liked the 23& me interface but they do seem to have made some improvements.  I've used it over the years with some of my daughter's paternal lines who have tested there so I did have something to compare it to as they were earlier testers at the site.

The improvements over the last few years:  

• Ability to assign relationships for each match 
• Relationship chart 
• Notes Sections which is really essential on any site(wish it was at the top but I'll take it)
• Ability to include a link to tree
• I really like the option to download the segment data so I can paint my matches at DNA painter.  I believe this may have been here before but wasn't so obvious.  

It's a bit unclear with the list of shared matches what they mean.  Some you have to request to share to see.  Going to have to read more on that to figure out what it does and doesn't mean.  I'd recommend testing here if you are looking for cousins.  I do feel you are missing out if you don't. If it's not in your budget at the regular price maybe you too can catch it on sale.  

  

23andme Ancestry test comparison

I uploaded my AncestryDNA test to 23andme during a DNA special they had for DNA day 2018.  I believe they called this promo Discover23(at least that it how it's noted in my settings there).  They did not offer matching for the uploaded tests but showed Ancestry Composition.  I recently also tested  with them to get myself in their database for matching purposes.  Below is a comparison of the two tests.  The AncestryDNA test was version 2 and the 23andme is their latest chip test.

DNA Relatives Comparison of the tests:

While the AncestryDNA upload there won't show me my matches it did show me a graphic that said I had 1165 matches which is close to the number on my match list from the test thru 23&me which lists 1177 DNA relatives.

Ethnicity Comparison of the tests:


The ANCESTRYDNA upload

The 23andme site's test

23andMe Ethnicity Estimates Updated

While we've not done a test at 23andMe, my family was able to upload those who had tested at Ancestry during 23andMe's DNA day promotion in April of 2018. Those who uploaded do not get matches, but they have received the ethnicity estimates. 23andMe recently updated ethnicity estimates. A comparison of new to updated is shown below. I have deep colonial American roots on both sides of my family.  My daughter has colonial American on her Paternal Grandmother's side but she also has Germans coming to America around 1830 and English coming to America in the late 1800s.

My Original Ethnicity Estimates

My Updated Ethnicity Estimates

My Daughter's Original Ethnicity Estimates

My Daughter's Updated Ethnicity Estimates

Uploading your 23andMe results to GEDmatch Genesis

Those that have tested at 23andMe on the new chip(starting Aug of 2017)  cannot upload to the main GEDmatch database but can upload to the GEDmatch Genesis section(currently in beta).  I had updated the "Download from Test Site & Upload to GEDmatch" post to show changes but I think the information on the GENESIS upload may be buried in that post.  That said,  I thought I'd post this specifically for those who tested at 23andMe and received their results after July 2017.

Downloading your file from 23andMe
To download your Raw Data from 23andMe log on to your account if you have multiple kits associated with your acct make sure you have selected the proper test.  Select the Tool option and then click on Download.  You should see a page similar to the one below.

This page contains information about the raw data file.  Scroll down and select the "Submit Request" button.  Follow directions on that page for obtaining the file.

Uploading the file to the GENESIS section of GEDmatch
You will need to register if you don't already have a GEDmatch account.

Register for GEDmatch

Once registered return to Genesis page
Log on and select Generic Uploads as shown below in the highlighted section of the screen capture.

Follow the directions on that page and make sure you wait for the file to upload.  Once it uploads you should see a notice and the kit number.   These upload instructions will also work for any of your other DNA results from AncestryDNA, FTDNA, earlier 23andMe, or MyHeritage files that you have downloaded and wish to upload to Genesis.

Dear Cousins: If you have taken an atDNA test, please consider uploading to GEDmatch

Downloading Your Raw DNA Data

AncestryDNA ---- FTDNA ---- MyHeritage ---- 23andMe

If you have taken an Autosomal DNA test PLEASE consider uploading to GEDmatch. Even if your only reason for taking the test was to find out your ethnicity.  When you test, your matches are restricted to those who have also tested at that same site.  By uploading to GEDmatch you are able to compare with others who have taken an autosomal DNA test at any of the other companies and uploaded to GEDmatch.  Below are instructions for downloading from AncestryDNA, FTDNA, MyHeritage and 23&me. Follow the instructions for the download and then scroll further down the page where you will find the instructions for uploading to GEDmatch.

If you tested at AncestryDNA
From your DNA Insights page click on Settings in the upper right just below your DNA Page header.

On the settings page you will see the option to Download Raw Data.  Click on that and follow the instructions.  Also while you are at the page consider linking your DNA to  your Tree.





After you have downloaded your file from AncestryDNA you will want to upload to GEDmatch.  Use the file you downloaded and follow the instructions under the Uploading to GEDmatch.com section.

If you tested at FTDNA
From your myFTDNA Dashboard:

Or from the myFTDNA Menu on the Left

After clicking the Download Raw Data link you should see a screen like this.  You can download Builf 36 if you are uploading to regular GEDmatch and build 37 if you are uploading to GEDmatch Genesis.
;Save the file somewhere you can  Browse to and DO NOT open the file.  You will upload the zipped file to GEDmatch.

After you have downloaded your file from FTDNA you will want to upload to GEDmatch.  Use the file you downloaded and follow the instructions under the Uploading to GEDmatch.com section


If you tested at 23&me

The transfer of the raw data from 23&me to GEDmatch is easier than ever. You can now transfer straight from 23&me to GEDmatch see image below.  No need to deal with the upload section of this page if you are able to transfer a copy straight to GEDmatch.

****Please note if you received your results after Aug 9th you may not be able to upload to GEDmatch but should be able to upload under the GEDmatch Genesis section located at the bottom of the column on the right. ****

I've retained the old instructions for anyone who would rather download their data and then upload the file to GEDmatch.
From your 23&me page. Log in.  It should give you a warning that DNA can contain sensitive info.

Select the Tools Tab from your top and then you should see the Browse or Download tabs. Choose Download and scroll down the page. Click on the button to submit your request. You will be prompted to select what DNA you want to download.choose the autosomal test1-22 and X and follow their instructions.

If you tested at MyHeritage

Uploading to GEDmatch.com

Once you have downloaded your Raw Data.....it's time to upload to GEDmatch.  If you have not registered you will need to do so in order that you may access the site.

After registration, you should be able to log in with your email and password which you chose.

Upload your Raw Data and fill out the info for your kit.  Your kit is usually ready shortly after uploading for One To One comparison but it will normally take at least 24 hours for the batch it is in is completely processed so that you can run the  One To Many for your kit and begin trying to figure out how you match to all those folks.

A listing of the DNA kits you have uploaded will show in the "Your DNA Resources" section located in the left panel of your GEDmatch dashboard page.  You may have to scroll to see it.  See the example below.

While you are waiting for the batch process...you might consider uploading a GEDCOM and linking it to your test results.

Hope you have found this helpful.