Ancestry.com Starts its Mother's Day Sale: Gift Subscriptions, Autosomal DNA Tests

Mother's Day sales are not just for mothers -- they are for everyone! Ancestry.com has started its Mother's Day Sale which ends May 10, 2020. This sale is on Gift Memberships and autosomal DNA tests.

Gift Memberships
Ancestry.com is having a 20 percent sale on its Gift Subscription Memberships until Sunday, May 10, 2020. Gift memberships are one-time, non-renewing memberships. You pick the start date of the gift membership and it arrives in the recipient's email on that date. Recipients are not supposed to have active, paid subscription. See the Questions and Answers towards the bottom of the gift membership page.

U.S. Discovery GIFT Membership
Access to U.S. records
6-months reg. $99.99 ... sale $79.99 ... save $20 
12-months reg. $189 ... sale $151 ... save $38

World Explorer GIFT Membership
Access to records across the globe.
6-months reg. $149 ... sale $119 ... save $30
12-months reg. $299 ... sale $239 ... save $60


DNA Tests
Though Ancestry.com did not have a DNA Day sale this year we knew the company would not ignore all those mothers out there in the the word. For this year's Mother's Day, The AncestryDNA (autosomal) test regularly $99 is on sale for $59, a savings of 40 percent or $40 dollars, with taxes and shipping extra. Quite a while back, Ancestry.com introduced its AncestryDNA Traits feature. Traits can be added on to an existing test or purchased at the same time as an AncestryDNA test. For this sale, the AncestryDNA Traits can be added to the purchase of AncestryDNA test for just $10 instead of its regular price of $20.

We have not seen if the sale price on the AncestryDNA Traits add-on will be offered to those with existing AncestryDNA tests.

With Ancestry.com jumping further into the genealogy/DNA/health market it now offers an AncestryHealth Core test which includes the AncestryDNA test along with actionable health and wellness reports, support from genetic counselors, and family health history tree. The AncestryHealth Core test is not available in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, or Guam.

The AncestryHealth Core test regularly $149 is on sale for $99, a savings of $50 dollars, with taxes and shipping extra.

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 AncestryDNA match list, shared matches, an internal member messaging system, and automatic updates to results. As well as some basic information from ThruLines which is Ancestry's replacement or next generation of New Ancestor Discoveries and DNA Circles. See the chart below.

Be aware that with an active paid subscription to Ancestry, there is fuller access to some DNA features such as all available information about people is shown in ThruLines; Matches' public family trees are viewable instead of just a preview of five generations; and up to seven generations of surnames instead of up to five surnames are shown for direct ancestor surnames from your matches' trees.

From Ancestry.com, a look at AncestryDNA with and without a data membership/subscription.

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.

AncestryDNA Traits now gives a look at 26 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 added are Birth Weight, Facial Hair Thickness, Omega-3, Photic Sneeze Reflex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitaman E, Wisdom Teeth. There is also a Compare Feature and Around the World Feature. 

From Ancestry.com

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.

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

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. However for this sale, the prices of the AncestryDNA tests on Amazon are currently at regular (full) price so this time the sale price on the Ancestry.com website is the best deal. When the tests are on sale at Amazon Non-AmazonPrime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon while 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 price. See the image below.

Look for this before adding your item to your cart.

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

It's an Assorted Catchup ... Part 1 DNA Day Sales

Originally posted: Friday, April 24, 2020, at 12:42 p.m. EDT. Corrected a sentence.

We hope you are staying home and staying safe. If you have some extra time for genealogy here are somethings to note going on in the genealogy world. There is a lot so we are going to make multiple posts under the Assorted Catchup ... column.

DNA DAY is this Saturday, April 25
Let's get the big one over with first. DNA Day is this week so there are sales currently going on and likely some to come yet.

Family Tree DNA
There is lots on sale over at Family Tree DNA, the company that tests not only Autosomal DNA (atDNA) but also Y-DNA (direct male line) and Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (the direct female line.)

Here are the 2020 DNA Day Sale prices.
Autosomal DNA (male or female can take) 
FamilyFinder is now $49, regularly $79 save $30

mtDNA (male or female can take, mother's direct female line)
mtFull Sequence is now $139, regularly $159 save $20. It is now the only mtDNA test offered.

Want to upgrade your mtDNA test?
mtDNA (HVR1) to mtFull is now $79, regularly $119 save $40
mtPLUS (HVR1+ HVR2) to mtFull is now $79, regularly $119 save $40

Y-DNA Test (male-only, father's direct male line) 
Y37 test is now $99, regularly $119 save $20
The Y67 test appears to not be offered anymore as a test option itself.
Y111 test is now $199, regularly $249 save $50

Big Y-700* test is now $379, regularly $449 save $50
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. *Does not include the Big Y BAM file which is a purchase option after results are received.

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 $59, regular price is $79
Y12 to Y67 upgrade sale for $139, regular price is $149
Y12 to Y111 upgrade sale for $149, regular price is $199

Y25 to Y37 upgrade sale for $39, regular price is $49
Y25 to Y67 upgrade sale for $109, regular price is $119
Y25 to Y111 upgrade sale for $139, regular price is $189

Y37 to Y67 upgrade sale for $69, regular price is $89
Y37 to Y111 upgrade sale for $119, regular price is $139

Y67 to Y111 upgrade sale for $79, regular price is $89

Y12 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $359, regular price is $399
Y25 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $349, regular price is $389
Y37 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $319, regular price is $339 
Y67 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $259, regular price is $279 
Y111 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $229, regular price is $239
Big Y-500 to Big Y-700 upgrade sale for $189, regular price is $209

Need more than one test type for the same -- meaning a single person? These bundles are on sale too.

FamilyFinder with mtFull Sequence is now $179, regularly $238 save $59
FamilyFinder with Y37 is now $139, regularly $198 save $59
FamilyFinder with mtFull Sequence and Y111 is now $369, regularly $487 save $118
Family Tree DNA for its autosomal DNA tests called FamilyFinder 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 that happened earlier this year with Family Tree DNA.

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 the FamilyFinder test is at the sale price of $49 at Amazon so if you don't need a YDNA or mtDNA test for the same person 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.

If you are buying more than one type (autosomal, Y-DNA or mtDNA) of test for one person, you will need to purchase from Family Tree DNA directly. If you are buying an upgrade test, be sure to sign into the test kit you are upgrading. If you are buying tests for more than one person, you may need to purchase them separately.

MyHeritage
MyHeritage extended its Stay At Home Sale beyond DNA Day. MyHeritageDNA (autosomal) tests regularly $79 each are on sale for just $39 each plus taxes and shipping which is the lowest price ever. This test is sometimes referred to now as the MyHeritageDNA Ancestry Only test. The MyHeritage DNA Health test regularly $199 is on sale for $99 plus taxes and shipping. The sale expires April 30th. Orders of two or more DNA kits receive free shipping.

MyHeritageDNA's customer base seems to be more international. The test includes free internal member messaging feature, an ethnicity/admixture report, and of course, a list of DNA matches. No data subscription is needed to use/see all the DNA matching features. Additional features include a chromosome browser and the automatic DNA AutoClusters tool. And with test results linked to a family tree on MyHeritage the Theory of Family Relativity feature can scan the linked trees and create theories of the tested individuals are related using both DNA and linked trees.

The MyHeritage DNA Health+Ancestry tests includes what you get with the MyHeritageDNA Ancestry only test. It also includes 18  Genetic Risk Reports, and 18 Carrier Status Reports. The test includes independent physician oversight. A questionnaire about your health history is required before taking the test. Your answers will be confidentially reviewed by a physician. After your results are generated, your reports will be reviewed by the clinical team from PWNHealth, who will determine whether genetic counseling is advised. If genetic counseling is recommended, it is included as part of the PWNHealth services.

MyHeritage is one of the few genealogy/DNA testing companies that accepts DNA data uploads/transfers from other genealogy/DNA testing companies. The initial upload is free and you get unlimited access to see and contact your DNA matches at MyHeritage. Unlocking additional DNA features (chromosome browser, ethnicity estimate, shared ancestral places, trees/Theory of Relativity, and Auto Clusters, etc.) costs an extra fee which was $29 for each kit that last we saw. So the sale price of $39 mentioned above for direct test/provide spit Ancestry Only test is a great price.

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 the prices on Amazon are at the regular prices so the better deal is straight from the MyHeritage website. BUT when you do find a sale price at Amazon make sure the seller shown is MyHeritage 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.

LivingDNA 
At LivingDNA three of its four autosomal DNA tests are on sale for up to 30 percent off for DNA Day. There is no specific end date given for this test and taxes and shipping are extra. There is free shipping for purchases of three or more tests for this sale.

Living DNA's current lineup of autosomal DNA tests are:

LivingDNA Starter Kit is regularly priced at $49 and is not on sale at this time. It is described as a taster experience of ancestry and wellbeing reports to get started. It includes your global ancestry report (eight regions), DNA matches along with sample nutrition (nutrition and Vitamin D) and fitness (muscle performance) reports.

LivingDNA Full Ancestry Kit regularly priced at $99 is on sale for $69. It is described as the full ancestry experience from your deep ancestry to DNA matching. It includes recent ancestry, sub-regional ancestry breakdown, your DNA today, extended ancestry, DNA matching and free ancestry updates.

The LivingDNA Full Ancestry Kit is the original LivingDNA test comparable to autosomal DNA tests at other genealogy/DNA testing companies.

LivingDNA Wellbeing Kit regularly priced at $129 is on sale for $79. It is described with "understand your body's response to nutrition and fitness." It includes Vitamin Response, Food Metabolism, Nutrition Ideas, Exercise, Recovery and Exercise Ideas.

At this time LivingDNA does not test for genetically inherited diseases. 

LivingDNA Wellbeing & Ancestry Kit regularly priced at $179 is on sale for $99. It is described as advanced ancestry reports and your body's fitness and nutritional responses. Essentially combining the LivingDNA Full Ancestry Kit with the Wellbeing Kit.

There is a kit comparison chart here at LivingDNA's website. None of the test types appear to have the option of downloading a test's Raw DNA data file.

LivingDNA is based in the United Kingdom so 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. (Part of the now LivingDNA Full Ancestry Kit.) 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.

BUT we have become aware that LivingDNA is now requiring that your LivingDNA test be taken/used and sent in within one year of the date of purchase. They will not process tests older than that despite the swab test tube saying its expiration date is well after that. Based on a LivingDNA Support article this change may have been implemented in early 2019. However, we are not sure when its Terms of Services was changed to reflect this. So if you have a LivingDNA test sitting around you might want to check its purchase date. Hopefully you still have time, or you may need to pay for shipping on a replacement test kit.

As a reminder, LivingDNA sometimes sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. However, for this sale LivingDNA is not selling its tests at matching sale prices on Amazon at this time. (At the times when LivingDNA does, 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 if the kit is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free.

Look for this before adding your item to your cart.

AncestryDNA
Ancestry has not yet announced any DNA Day sale. Its AncestryDNA autosomal DNA test is regularly $99 plus taxes and shipping and its AncestryHealth autosomal DNA test is regularly $149 plus taxes and shipping. So check its website later today or tomorrow morning to see if it will also hold a DNA Day sale. Check often in case it is a Flash (limited time) sale.


23andMe 
23andMe just announced its DNA Day sale this morning.

23andMe's Ancestry + Traits DNA test is regularly $99 but is on sale for $79.

23andMe's Health + Ancestry Service is regularly priced $199 but is on sale for $149. 

23andMe Ancestry Service (autosomal DNA) provides an ethnicity (admixture) report, list of DNA matches, chromosome browser and an internal member messaging system. 23andMe also provides a general look at your Y-DNA haplogroup (if male) and a general look at your mtDNA haplogroup. No subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. A newer feature is the Family Tree feature which is automatically built from your DNA relationships.
See the 23andMe website to learn more about the Health service features which includes 10+ Health Pre-disposition reports, 5+ Wellness reports, and 40+ Carrier Status reports.

23andMe also has a VIP Health + Ancestry Service which is regularly priced $499 and is not discounted for this sale. This VIP Health + Ancestry is actually a bundle package which includes two Ancestry + Health test kits, overnight shipping, priority lab processing, premium customer support and 1-on-1 Ancestry results walkthrough.

As a reminder, 23andMe also sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. However, for this sale period the Ancestry+Traits is only on sale for $89 which is $10 more than the 23andMe website but the Health+Ancestry is on sale for $149 which is the same as at the 23andMe website.

(In the future if you do buy these tests on the Amazon website, make sure the seller shown is 23andMe 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.

Above: Look for this when buying on Amazon.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

It's an Assorted Catchup ... Part 2 The Other Stuff Out There for Genealogists

We hope you are staying home and staying safe. If you have some extra time for genealogy here are somethings to note going on in the genealogy world. There is a lot so we are going to make multiple posts under the Assorted Catchup ... column. This is the second Assorted Catchup ... column. If we hear of some more free access or sales we will add another post.

MyHeritage 
MyHeritage website has been offering free access to various collections during this pandemic shutdown. First it was the U.S. Census records collection, then making the use of its MyHeritage in Color tool free and unlimited until April 22 (it colorizes black and white photo scans) and now there is free access through May 23, 2020, to its U.S. Yearbook collection to which it applied its MyHeritage in Color tool to colorize black and white yearbooks. Don't forget about its Stay At Home/DNA Day Sale too.

Do not forget that Michigan records have remote access to MyHeritage Library Edition through the Michigan Electronic Library (mel.org) for free.

Family Tree Webinars 
Family Tree Webinars has been making one of its 1,000+ archived webinars free each day for the month of April. This is in addition to the new webinars that are free to view Live while it is being recorded and for the first week after being recorded.

National Archives in the United Kingdom
The National Archives in the United Kingdom is making its digitized records collection (those at its own website) free for as long as the Kew building is closed. This does not include any of its digitized collections that are with other subscription websites. So, in the complete list of Digital Collections look for collections without any website logos to the right of the collection name. See the archives' press release for details (the second link here.)

The Ancestor Hunt 
The Ancestor Hunt blog recently updated its HUGE list of links to United States and Canada digitized newspapers. If you have not checked this site out -- lately or at all -- do so. It is a good resource for locating what newspapers are available at both free and pay-sites.

Ancestry.com and Ancestry Library Edition
Remember our previous posts here and here on free access to both Ancestry.com collections and remote access through your local library. From what we understand ProQuest and Ancestry.com has extended the free remote access to Ancestry Library Edition until May 31 but we are not sure if it is an automatic extension or if libraries have to do anything to continue patron access. When we find out we will let you know.

We are sure there are more offers out there so surf the web and take a look around at those various genealogy websites. But be careful, remember if it sounds too good to be true it likely is not a good thing.

Stay home and stay safe.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

It is National Library Week! Here is a Shout Out of Love for Our Favorite Library — Mount Clemens Public Library — and All Other Libraries Out There

Our favorite library, Mount Clemens Public Library.
Note: this photo is from a prior year not this year so
we do not have an open house scheduled this year.

So many things are "happening" this week. It is National Library Week, April 19 to 25, 2020. (Give a shout out to your favorite library.) 

Yesterday, April 22, was the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Have you seen the pictures of the atmosphere around the world before and after this pandemic shutdown? It is amazing! Imagine if we got our governments, etc. to actually work on measures and regulations to continually reduce pollution of all types.

And, this Saturday, April 25, is National DNA Day. Have you explored the potential of adding DNA as a tool for your genealogical research? These are just a few of the numerous state, national or international months, weeks, days designations.

Very soon we will be posting an Assorted Catchup ... post on a wide variety of genealogy news and sales that are going on out there. Until then remember to check your favorite genealogy websites to learn what access and deals they have going on out there.

Everyone stay home and stay safe so we can all stay alive.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Macomb County History and Genealogy Databases at mtclib.org are Back Up

Here is some good news for you Macomb County, Michigan, genealogists out there.

The Macomb County History and Genealogy Databases on the website of our favorite library, Mount Clemens Public Library, are now up and running again.

You can now search away in your free time but remember that the library is currently closed due to our nation's COVID-19 situation at this time so that means even our volunteers have to wait to answer your Macomb Genealogy Research Services requests.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE