Brenda Lyle – Florida Today
By Brenda Lyle
Q: How can I research my family tree?
A: For generations, uncovering your family history required a mix of luck and grueling detective work. Perhaps you discovered handwritten records in an old family Bible, or received an account compiled by a dedicated relative. That family historian likely spent countless hours squinting at microfiche in the local library archives.
Today, modern technology has completely revolutionized how we connect with our past. Simply scrape your cheek with a cotton swab, mail it off, and you’ll unlock a genetic history all the way back to the Neanderthal era.
While companies like Ancestry, 23andMe, and Family Tree DNA make genetic testing easy, the raw data won’t build your family tree. For that, you need an online platform that blends your chromosomes with historical databases.
To choose the right DNA testing company for your genealogy goals, consider the three critical elements of genetic genealogy:
- People (DNA Matches): A great testing company must give you access to a large database of other tested users. Finding the right DNA matches is the fastest way to locate long-lost ancestors.
- Trees (Historical Records): How are you related to your genetic relatives? Discovery requires access to the family trees and genealogical records of your matches.
- Tools (Ease of Discovery): The right platform provides advanced features to help you sort, filter, and link your matches automatically. Superior tools can turn a list of names into navigable history.
The Big Three: To find your perfect fit, here’s how the industry leaders compare.
- AncestryDNA: Boasts the largest database (~25 million users) and unmatchable historical records—the best for tree-building. Con: Advanced features require a subscription.
- 23andMe: Offers highly accurate ethnicity breakdowns and deep health insights. Con: It lacks robust family tree tools.
- MyHeritage: The best platform for international research, particularly for finding relatives across Europe. Con: Their ethnicity estimates are historically less precise.
Before you ask the question, yes, you can use tools from multiple genealogy companies by downloading your raw DNA data from one platform and uploading it to others, or by building separate family trees across different sites. Using multiple platforms (larger match pool) increases your chances of finding unknown relatives and lets you harness the unique strengths of each site.
I embarked on this journey several years ago with 23 & Me and found a long-lost brother! DNA got the journey started, but without old family photos and some marriage, birth and death records, I wouldn’t have gotten very far.
The internet has transformed genealogy from a solitary archive hunt into a collaborative, global puzzle. Starting with a simple DNA swab, you can create a living legacy for future generations.
Brenda Lyle is a Certified Care Manager and Certified Dementia Practitioner with One Senior Place, Greater Orlando. One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Submit your questions to AskOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com. For immediate help, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.
