Father's Day DNA Sales until June 21, 2015 -- Save 10 Percent on Autosomal Tests

Have you been thinking about an autosomal DNA test for yourself or someone else? FamilyTree DNA and Ancestry.com are having autosomal DNA test sales for Father's Day. The savings is 10 percent -- not as great as the 20 percent sale we often see but at least there is a sale.

From today, June 19 12:01 a.m. CST until June 21 11:59 p.m. CST, FamilyTree DNA is having a small sale on its autosomal DNA test, called FamilyFinder. Regularly $99, the test is on sale for $89. Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is being shipped. [Please Note: Central time is an hour behind Eastern time so that means for us in the Eastern time zone the sale started at 1:01 a.m. EDT June 19 and runs through 12:59 a.m. EDT June 22.]

FamilyTree DNA (FTDNA) has a large pool of potential matches which are somewhat international but not everyone is doing genealogy. FTDNA gives users a chromosome browser so you can compare and see which segments of DNA you have in common with a match or matches. And if you decide you want to add a Y-DNA or mtDNA test, the sample already submitted can be utilized (assuming no problems) without having to do another swab sample. FamilyTree DNA is the only one of the three DNA companies doing Y-DNA (male-male) and mtDNA (female-female) testing. It also has user-administered testing/study groups for surname and geographic projects.

Ancestry.com has also been running a Father's Day sale on its autosomal DNA test, AncestryDNA. Regularly $99, the test is on sale for $89 until June 21 11:59 pm EDT. Shipping and taxes are extra which are usually just under $10.

Doing an AncestryDNA test gets you into a large pool of potential matches and most are interested in genealogy. Ancestry.com does not provide any tools for you to utilize and analyze your matches, other than user connected trees.

Did you know that you could also download your AncestryDNA test data and transfer it to FamilyTreeDNA's Autosomal Transfer so you have your DNA in two pools of matches? The autosomal DNA transfer is free to see your top 20 matches. To unlock the transfer and have full access to all your matches and features, the cost is just $39. (Add on tests of Y-DNA and mtDNA would require a separate swab test since no actual physical DNA is transferred between companies.) Please note that FamilyTree DNA is the only DNA company that accepts data transfers from other companies that utilize the same test chip (AncestryDNA and certain older 23andME tests.)

The three major DNA companies, FamilyTreeDNA, Ancestry.com and 23andMe, all allow you to download your DNA test data. (It is a good idea to download it as a back up.) This data also can be transferred to third-party sites, like GEDMatch where you can compare DNA with other site users regardless of which company was initially used.

These are the current DNA sales. I'm sure there will be more this summer.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE