Thursday, June 13, 2019

Father's Day DNA Sales -- are Not Just for Fathers! Most Sales Good Thru June 17

We are a little slow at posting these due to computer issues but here are the various sales on DNA for this year's Father's Day.

AncestryDNA
For Father's Day the AncestryDNA (autosomal) test regularly $99 is on sale for $59, a savings of 40 dollars. Shipping and taxes are extra. This sale ends June 17, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

We are not sure if the FREESHIPDNA code will work with this sale but it does not hurt to try it.

Nearly 15 million AncestryDNA test kits have been sold now according to reports at the end of February during the RootsTech 2019 conference and a press release on February 28, 2019, by Ancestry. As the testing company with the largest "pool" of potential DNA matches it is a good place to start.

AncestryDNA test results provide an ethnicity/admixture report, a migrations report, a DNA match list, shared matches, an internal member messaging system, and automatic updates to results. 

If you do not have a data/records membership subscription you will not have access to some DNA features/tools. With an active paid subscription to Ancestry, the additional DNA features are New Ancestry Discoveries and DNA Circles (likely to become ThruLines), Shared Ancestor Hints, full access to matches' public trees, list of surnames in matches' trees, and list of birth locations in matches' trees. Access to these extra features end if you discontinue your data subscription. Some of these extra features require a public family tree linked to the AncestryDNA kit.

Ancestry offers an AncestryDNAInsights subscription (available by calling customer service) for about $49/year which would give access to all of the DNA tools but not any data/records. (Price as of 2016 we are not sure if the pricing has changed since then.)

Also is a new add-on to the AncestryDNA autosomal test called AncestryDNA Traits. This add-on which is currently advertised for $20 for new tests gives a look at 18 personal traits. These traits are: Sweet Sensitivity, Savory (Umami) Sensitivity, Bitter Sensitivity, Cilantro Aversion, Asparagus Metabolite Detection, Eye Color, Male Hair Loss, Hair Type, Hair Color, Hair Strand Thickness, Iris Patterns, Freckles, Cleft Chin, Unibrow, Finger Length, Skin Pigmentation, Earlobe Shape, and Earwax Type. New traits may be available in the future for additional costs. 



AncestryDNA is the one DNA/genealogy testing site that does not provide a chromosome browser tool which allows you to see the chromosome segments you share in common with a match which is one of the scientific ways to confirm a match is a true match and not a match by chance. To access a chromosome browser you would need to download your kit's DNA data and upload that data to one of the three companies that do provide a chromosome browser: MyHeritageDNA, Family Tree DNA, and the third-party GedMatch.com website.

Want to save on shipping costs? Remember AncestryDNA also sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. (For this sale, the price at Amazon is $69 which is about the sale price at its website plus shipping costs.) Non-AmazonPrime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; AmazonPrime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free. But be cautious and make sure the test kit you are buying is "sold by AncestryDNAOfficial and fulfilled by Amazon" to insure you are buying a genuine test kit. You will find this information just below the sale price. See the image below.


Look for this before adding your item to your cart.

MyHeritageDNA
For Father's Day, MyHeritageDNA (autosomal) tests regularly $79 each are on sale for $69 each (plus taxes and shipping) until June 17, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. Orders of two or more DNA kits receive free shipping.
MyHeritageDNA is one of the newer players in the DNA and genealogy testing niche. Its customer base is more international. Early last year, the company has added a chromosome browser feature and made its internal member messaging feature free. It also offers an ethnicity/admixture report and a list of DNA matches. No data subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. A few additional features were added earlier this year.

As a reminder, MyHeritageDNA also sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. However, for this sale it does not have any test kits for sale on Amazon. (Make sure the seller shown is MyHeritage fulfilled by Amazon and not sold by a third-party unauthorized seller.) When the company does sell its kits on Amazon, non-Amazon Prime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free.
Look for this before adding your item to your cart.


Living DNA
To celebrate Father's Day the LivingDNA autosomal DNA test regularly $99 is on sale for $79 plus shipping and taxes.

LivingDNA, based in the United Kingdom, offers an ethnicity estimate (80 world regions including 21 in Britain and Ireland); a general look at your Y-DNA haplogroup (if male) and mtDNA haplogroup; and a view of your ancestry in the context of history and the migration of them. LivingDNA results are updated for free as the system and technology are updated. The company is still working on the release of its opt-in Family Matches feature (seeing your DNA matches among those who have tested) which is currently in beta testings. If you have a lot of English and Irish ancestry the more detailed regions for Britain and Ireland in the ethnicity may be of interest to you. The company is still building itself so at a sale price it may be worth a try. Perhaps you will find a clue to direct your search.


As a reminder, LivingDNA sometimes sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. For this sale it is $79 at Amazon. (Make sure the seller shown is LivingDNA fulfilled by Amazon and not sold by a third-party unauthorized seller.) Non-Amazon Prime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free.
Look for this before adding your item to your cart.

Family Tree DNA
The Family Tree DNA Father's Day Sale ends on June 17 2019. Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is shipped. From a while back the shipping cost to Michigan was about $12.95 for one kit which covers the receiving and sending the test.

Currently on sale are: 

FamilyFinder (autosomal for male or female) regular price $79 ... now $59

Y-DNA Test (male-only, father's direct male line) 
Y37 test is now $129, regularly $169 save $40

Y67 test is now $219, regularly $268 save $49

Y111 test is now $299, regularly $359 save $60

Big Y-700 test is now $499, regularly $649 save $150
Expert Level. Note: formerly the Big Y-500 now the Big Y-700 includes the Y111 test which gets added to your cart as part of buying the Big Y-700.

A FamilyFinder and YNDA test bundled together (for one person) will save you an additional $10.

Already have a YDNA test that you want to upgrade to more markers? Sign into that test and see what upgrade options you have available. Some upgrade options are on sale but remember if the person who supplied the DNA sample is deceased the amount of sample itself is limited so you might need to wait until the exact upgrade you want is on sale or when you are able afford it.

Y12 to Y37 upgrade sale for $69, regular price is $109
Y25 to Y37 upgrade sale for $35, regular price is $59
Y37 to Y67 upgrade sale for $69, regular price is $109
Y37 to Y111 upgrade sale for $148, regular price is $228
Y67 to Y111 upgrade sale for $89, regular price is $129
Y12 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $489, regular price is $629
Y25 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $489, regular price is $599
Y37 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $459, regular price is $569
Y67 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $399, regular price is $499
Y111 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $349, regular price is $449
Big Y-500 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $229, regular price is $249

Family Tree DNA provides an ethnicity (admixture) report, list of DNA matches, chromosome browser and allows DNA matches to contact a match directly if that match allows it. Once tested, DNA samples are stored so that additional test types (upgrades) can be added if desired. Family Tree DNA is the only genealogy DNA testing company that offers all three DNA test types: autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA. No subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. See our previous post containing some Reminders and Cautions regarding changes with Family Tree DNA.
warnings.

As a reminder, Family Tree DNA sometimes sells its autosomal DNAtest kits (called FamilyFinder) on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. For this sale it is $59 at Amazon so if you don't need a YDNA test buying from Amazon eliminates the shipping costs. (Make sure the seller shown is FamilyTreeDNA fulfilled by Amazon and not sold by a third-party unauthorized seller.) Non-Amazon Prime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free.
Look for this before adding your item to your cart.


Have a good Father's Day everyone.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Registration is Now Open for 41st Annual Genealogy Seminar Hosted by the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan

Go to PSGM.org for the actual flyer.
The 41st Annual Genealogy Seminar of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan will be held on Saturday, October 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m.

  Pre-registration (online and by mail) is now open and required before October 5, 2019, -- no exceptions.

Held at the American Polish Cultural Center, this year's speakers are Lucasz Bielecki, Ph.D. (presenting Accessing Info in Local Parishes, Town Halls or Archives -- What You Need to Know, and Visiting the Home Town of Your Ancestors -- Is Meeting Cousins Possible?) and Linda E. Serna (presenting Making Sense of Census, and Polonia: Polish Research from the U.S.A.)
Again, Pre-registration is required before October 5, 2019. Registration Cost: $65 per person with an electronic syllabus, or $75 with a printed syllabus. Also included is a continental breakfast and Polish lunch. There is a block of rooms reserved at a hotel for those coming from further away. 

For more information, www.pgsm.org

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Historical Walk at St. Lawrence Cemetery

On Sunday, June 23, 2019, at 2 p.m. the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan and the Utica Heritage Association will sponsor a historical walk at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Shelby Township.

The cemetery organized in 1878, is located on the east side of Auburn Road, north of West Utica Road, and near Mound Road. Life stories of past residents from the Utica area will be featured. This event is free and all are welcome.

There is limited parking in the back of the cemetery or across the street in the lot of the former AAA office. For more information, go to www.pgsm.org or email uticaheritage@gmail.com

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 7pm at MCPL Our MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy Meets with the Topic of My Favorite ...

It is the last meeting before Summer break. The MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group meets tonight, Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. Our topic is ... My Favorite ... .
 

Let us all share and talk about our favorite ... whatever it may be with regards to genealogy. A favorite resource, artifact, document, photo, ancestor, etc.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE