We combine advanced genetic science with the world's largest online family history resource to help you find new family connections. You don't need a membership to receive your AncestryDNA results. AncestryDNA results include an ethnicity estimate and a list of DNA matches - people who are likely related to you.

Feb 15, 2023•Knowledge. One of the best ways to find members of your biological family is to take an AncestryDNA® test.

There are three main types of DNA tests on the market: Y-chromosome (or Y-DNA), mitochondrial (or mtDNA), and autosomal. Each test produces different information. Ancestry® offers only the autosomal DNA test, which produces the most comprehensive snapshot of one's ethnicity and living relatives.

With a membership, you can trace your family history back through the centuries by finding historical records. Ancestry has records from over 80 countries, with some dating back to the 13th century.

Reading your DNA is a first step in generating your AncestryDNA ® results. Accuracy is very high when it comes to reading each of the hundreds of thousands of positions (or markers) in your DNA. With current technology, AncestryDNA ® has, on average, an accuracy rate of over 99 percent for each marker tested.

This kind of DNA test provides a more complete genetic picture of you compared to other types of DNA tests. For instance, the mtDNA used in some tests only shows your matrilineal heritage, or your female ancestors. Y-DNA tests only show patrilineal, or male ancestors and can only be taken by men or male relatives.

DNA ancestry tests may help you learn more about yourself and your familial roots. People often use them to learn about their ethnic makeup and family history. But you should keep in mind that the results related to ethnicity and genealogy may not be perfect and rely upon each company's database.

Like siblings, parents and children share 50 percent of their DNA with one another. While the shared DNA between full siblings includes 25 percent of the mother's DNA and 25 percent of the father's DNA, the DNA shared between a parent and child is 50 percent of that parent's DNA.

An AncestryDNA ® test can very accurately determine if two people are genetically related at the 3rd or 4th cousin and closer level. This is because AncestryDNA ® test results are based on the scientific method that identifies people who share long segments of DNA.

Genetic ancestry testing can help you identify potential relatives and provide a good probability of where your ancestors came from, but it won't give you precise data, says J.

Today, Ancestry has an online database of over 30 billion records and has expanded to five continents, serving 80 global markets. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where it has an A+ rating.

It's also possible that a person you thought was a close relative isn't biologically related to you. Though it's possible that it's a mistake, it's extremely unlikely. Relationship predictions are almost always accurate for people who are second cousins or closer.