Ancestry: Family History & DNA


Rating: 4.6	Downloads: 10,000,000+
Category: Books & Reference	Offer by: Ancestry.com

Ancestry: Family History & DNA is a comprehensive application designed for individuals interested in exploring their roots, tracing lineage, and discovering their ethnic heritage through DNA analysis. It combines genealogical research tools with DNA testing services, allowing users to build family trees, search historical records, and unlock information about their genetic background. This app serves genealogists, families reconnecting roots, individuals curious about their ancestry, and those seeking connections with long-lost relatives via DNA.

The key value of Ancestry: Family History & DNA lies in its powerful combination of extensive databases, advanced DNA analysis, and user-friendly tools. It empowers users not just to search for ancestors but to understand their deeper biological heritage and potentially connect with thousands of living relatives worldwide, offering a deeply personal connection to their past and present lineage.

App Features

DNA Testing Kit: Purchase a saliva collection kit online and mail it in to learn about your genetic makeup. This feature provides an invaluable starting point for tracing ancestry, offering insights into ethnic origins and potential biological relatives, making complex genetic data accessible to everyone regardless of prior DNA knowledge.
Interactive Family Tree Builder: Create and manage a detailed digital family tree by adding individuals, linking parents and children, and uploading records. The intuitive interface allows for efficient organization of complex family data, significantly simplifying the research process and improving accuracy in documenting generations.
Extensive Historical Record Collections: Access vast archives containing census data, immigration records, birth/marriage certificates, and more across numerous countries and time periods. These collections provide concrete proof for research findings, allowing users to place ancestors within specific historical contexts and strengthen their family narratives.
Smart Matching for DNA & Family Trees: The app automatically matches individuals on your tree to their closest living relatives among other users and suggests DNA matches based on shared DNA segments. This feature simplifies the challenging process of identifying biological relatives by providing hints and connections that might otherwise be missed, saving users hours of manual searching.
Collaboration Tools for Family Trees: Invite relatives and research partners to join specific family tree branches, granting them permission to add sources or notes. This collaborative aspect allows families to work together seamlessly across different locations, pooling resources and knowledge to overcome research dead ends more effectively.
Global Research Support & Premium Content: Ancestry: Family History & DNA provides specialized tools and resources for researching ancestors from specific regions worldwide and offers premium content libraries. This extensive support caters perfectly to dedicated researchers delving into complex or obscure family histories, offering depth and context unavailable elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Extremely Comprehensive DNA & Genealogy Database
User-Friendly Interface and Intuitive Navigation
Potentially Life-Changing Connections Through DNA Matches
Robust Collaborative Features for Family Research

Cons:

Can be Costly for Comprehensive DNA Testing and Access
Extensive Research Requires Significant Time Commitment
Privacy Concerns Related to Genetic Data Usage
Learning Curve For Absolute Beginners, Though Generally Manageable

Similar Apps

App Name	Highlights
23andMe: Genetic Testing & Ancestry	Primarily focused on genetic health and ancestry origins, offering detailed ethnicity reports. Known for interesting health trait predictions and a simpler DNA-focused interface.
MyHeritage: DNA + Genealogy	Offers DNA testing and a large genealogy tree builder with collaborative features. Includes detailed ethnicity estimates and seamless social media integration.
FamilySearch	Supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering free access to extensive historical records. Provides fundamental genealogy tools for free and a unique family tree collaboration space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How accurate are the ethnicity estimates provided by Ancestry: Family History & DNA?
A: Our ethnicity estimates provide high-level insights into your ancestral origins based on your specific DNA markers compared against reference populations. While generally accurate, they represent a simplification, and results can vary based on sample size and testing technology, offering a starting point for exploration rather than definitive percentages.

Q: Is my DNA data safe with Ancestry: Family History & DNA, and can it be used for law enforcement?
A: Yes, we take user privacy seriously. We have robust security measures in place for your DNA data. We will not release your raw DNA data to law enforcement without a valid legal request, such as a court order, and even then, we typically redact identifying information.

Q: Can I access the app’s features on my smartphone, or is it primarily a desktop application?
A: Absolutely! You can access and utilize most features, including DNA ordering, building family trees, and viewing historical records, through our dedicated mobile app versions available for both iOS and Android devices, making research convenient anytime, anywhere.

Q: What are the different ways I can contribute to building the app’s databases?
A: You can contribute by uploading your own documents, stories, historical photos, and even participating in specific research collaborations. These submissions help enrich the database for everyone, adding valuable context and information to family histories being explored.

Q: Do I need an internet connection to view the results from my DNA kit once I receive it?
A: Once your DNA results are processed and uploaded to your account, you can view your ethnicity estimates, DNA matches, and associated reports without an active internet connection. The data itself is downloaded to your account. However, an internet connection is required to order the test kit, track its status, and manage your family tree remotely.