When you take a DNA test given by the major DNA testing companies, you typically have the option to download your raw DNA data file. Using this raw data, a number of websites will reanalyze the file with their algorithms and methods.
With FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA), you can search for family members in their database with your raw DNA file for free. Plus, if you want to dive deeper you can purchase access to FTDNA reports on your ethnicity and genetic genealogy.
Learn how to access these great features below!
What is FamilyTreeDNA?
FTDNA is a DNA testing company based out of England that focuses on ancestry testing. With their basic Family Finder DNA kit, you can find out about your ethnicity composition and possible migration routes your family may have taken. Your ethnicity is broken down in the myOrigins report, while the ancientOrigins test compares your DNA to samples taken from paleontological dig sites.
The first report gives you information about your recent ancestors and where they are from. The second report can estimate how your family migrated throughout the world. FTDNA also provides mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing and Y-Chromosome testing, which can tell you about your maternal line and paternal line, respectively.
FTDNA also provides a family finder service for its users, called the Family Finder Matrix. While the reports above must be purchased, you can access the family finder tool for free!
Access the Family Finder Matrix for FREE!
Using the Family Finder Matrix is easy. Simply head over to the Autosomal Transfers page at FTDNA.com and set up an account. This site accepts the file formats from 23andMe (versions 3-5), Ancestry.com (versions 1-2), and MyHeritage. If you got a test from National Geographic, you will have to head to the FTDNA page for Geno 2.0 and type in your kit number.
Sign up for an account, upload your raw DNA file, and you are off to the races! Once your file is processed, you will have access to the Family Finder Matrix with your free account. To access this feature, simply log into your FTDNA account. Navigate to the Family Finder reports and select “Matrix”. This will take you to a report which details all of your matches within the FTDNA database. Here, you can contact your connections or find additions to your family tree.
What else can you get?
If you are interested in other features of the Family Finder test, such as the myOrigins or ancientOrigins reports, you can easily get access to these features for $20. Simply click on the report you want to view, pay the fee, and the FTDNA computers will generate these ancestry reports for you. These reports are based on autosomal DNA, and you can use the FTDNA chromosome browser to get more details about each gene after paying the fee.
To get the mtDNA or Y-chromosome reports, you must purchase the full DNA testing kit from FTDNA. Most DNA testing companies do not analyze these portions of your DNA, so the data is not available when you upload DNA data from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or MyHeritage. You can purchase a Y-DNA test for $169 or the mtDNA test from FTDNA for $199.
Access other sites with your Raw DNA Data!
If these options from FTDNA are not what you are looking for, check out the companies below. All of these companies can reanalyze your raw data for a number of genetic traits related to health, wellness, ancestry, and other traits. By uploading your raw data, you can use many of these sites for free. So, be sure to take a look at these companies if you want the most DNA results for your buck!
Know "More" About Your DNA Data
1. Genomelink — FREE
2. Promethease (genetic health risk)
Ancestry Tests
3. Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) — FREE
4. MyHeritage DNA — FREE
5. LivingDNA — FREE
6. GEDmatch — FREE
Nutrition and Fitness
7. Genopalate
9. Vitagene
10. DNA Fit
Things to Consider Before Uploading Your DNA to FamilyTreeDNA
Like you do before using any online or in-person service, you’ll want to consider all of the pros and cons that come with accessing FamilyTreeDNA’s free family finder before getting started. After all, there’s no use wasting your time using a service that isn’t going to get you the information you want or need.
Some of the pros of FamilyTreeDNA are pretty obvious, and most ancestry enthusiasts would agree they are objectively good features of the service. These pros include:
- It’s FREE to upload DNA to FamilyTreeDNA
- Once you have your FTDNA log in, it’s also FREE to search their Family Finder
- Other features, such as the ancientOrigins repot, are relatively inexpensive, at $20 a report
- When you use FTDNA to upload DNA, you can get a Y-DNA test for $169 or a mtDNA test for $199 - most other online DNA services don’t offer these reports at all
It’s a list of pros that will convince many amateur ancestry and genetics researchers to upload their raw DNA data to FamilyTreeDNA. That said, it’s also important to understand that some of these features are available with other providers. For example, you can also upload your DNA for free when you use Genomelink, GEDmatch, or Genopalate. But you’ll notice that each service offers unique reports, features, and insights that you might not find anywhere else. Depending on what's most important to you to learn about your genetic history you might want to choose one service over another.
And let’s not forget about the cons. Some users have decided not to use FTDNA’s free family finder for various reasons that you might relate to, including:
- They weren’t interested in the main free feature: the FTDNA family finder - not everyone wants to open that potential can of worms!
- They found the insights and features of FamilyTreeDNA didn’t match their other genetic interests, including health and wellness
- They already found the information provided by FamilyTreeDNA by using another site, such as AncestryDNA
With the explosion in online DNA and ancestry services in the past 5+ years, it can be difficult to decide which platform is the right match for your genetic research goals. But the truth is, many users take advantage of multiple sites to build a more complete picture of their ancestry, family tree, and genetic makeup. With so many sites offering free DNA upload to get started, it doesn’t even have to be cost prohibitive to access the information on multiple sites.
At Genomelink, you can get started for FREE when you upload your raw DNA data. Go beyond ancestry with our trait reports, ancient ancestry reports, and more. You’ll find insights into your unique genetic story that can’t be found anywhere else. Already have your raw DNA data? It’s easy to upload it to Genomelink and start exploring new aspects of your family history, personal genetic makeup, and inherited personality traits. Whether you plan to use FamilyTreeDNA or any of the other ancestry and genetics research providers, build out the full story of you by adding Genomelink to your lineup.
To find out more DNA upload sites, check out our article "The Best DNA Upload Sites"
