GEDmatch: Do More With Your MyHeritage Raw Data
GEDmatch Vs. MyHeritage
If you are new to the world of DNA testing, you may not realize how many companies provide testing and reporting services. Most people are familiar with the biggest names in DNA test kits but may not know companies such as GEDmatch, MyHeritage, or Family Tree DNA.
Whether you’re searching for ancestors or information about your ethnicity, knowing more about how MyHeritage and GEDmatch upload raw data will aid your search.
Every person who decides to research their ancestry with the help of DNA testing should be prepared to find out — well, anything. You may uncover family secrets that can change your life for the better.
GEDmatch, MyHeritage, and Autosomal Testing
Autosomal DNA testing measures only the autosomal chromosomes. These chromosomes make up most of your DNA and are the most information-rich DNA tests available. Regardless of sex, every person has 22 pairs of autosomal chromosome pairs. GEDmatch, MyHeritage, and a few other ancestry DNA sites offer autosomal testing.
Scientists use the information found in autosomal chromosomes to search for shared DNA between you and other people in a DNA database. GEDmatch, MyHeritage, and other companies maintain their own databases.
The more DNA you share with another individual, the closer the family connection. In other words, you would be expected to share a great deal of autosomal DNA with a parent and much less with a distant cousin.
Anyone who is looking for information on ancient ancestors, relatives who lived several hundred years ago, or current family members will benefit from autosomal DNA testing with GEDmatch, MyHeritage, or other testing services.
Autosomal testing is considered highly accurate up to third-cousin relationships. However, alone, this type of DNA testing does not provide detailed health information. If you have raw DNA data from another service, you can upload it to Genomelink to learn more about your health, genetics, and family heritage than you may have imagined.
MyHeritage is a global genetic DNA testing company with a professional platform, historical databases for genealogy research, and a match list of common ancestors and living relatives. GEDmatch is a difficult-to-use, but extremely powerful free genetic genealogy platform for analyzing raw data files. Both companies provide DNA analysis results for uploads of raw DNA data. Both, GEDmatch and MyHeritage DNA test results include multiple SNPs in autosomal DNA, and can be used to discover your maternal or paternal haplotype.
Below is a quick review of their differences and similarities.
MyHeritage
Pros
- One of the largest European family finder databases
- Free DNA file uploading to find DNA matches
- Historical records database to find family members
Cons
- Many major features are not included for free
- Historical records require subscription service
MyHeritage competes with all the major players in the genetic genealogy testing and DNA download arena, such as AncestryDNA and 23andMe.
You can complete a free raw data upload to access the Chromosome Browser, find living relatives, and even get an Ethnicity Estimate based on the 42 regions identified by the MyHeritage DNA reference populations. The platform is very user-friendly, visually appealing, and can give you insight into your DNA data.
For an additional subscription fee you can view a large database of historical records and find other useful information on your relatives. Wondering whether you can upload your DNA data file from MyHeritage to other sites like AncestryDNA? If you order your DNA testing kit through MyHeritage, the raw DNA data file is compatible with GEDmatch and a number of other analysis websites. Check them out at the end of this article.
GEDmatch
Pros
- Free to use
- Powerful tools for analyzing your ancestry
- Accepts uploads a DNA test from almost any company
Cons
- Complex to use – steep learning curve
- Not user-friendly, plan on learning some genealogy tools
While GEDmatch is complex, you don’t need to be a genealogist to use it. However, you will need to find a resource, such as this site, to be able to utilize the many different DNA analysis tools available on GEDmatch.
Some of the tools include a Chromosome Browser, analysis of matching segments with other users, haplogroup analysis, and all types of genealogy research. GEDmatch is compatible with DNA files from most major genetic DNA testing companies.
GEDmatch does not sell its own DNA testing kit. However, if you upload your MyHeritage DNA file to GEDmatch, it gets a kit number. The newest development of GEDmatch – Genesis – gives users even more capabilities and the ability to process multiple kit numbers.
You can upgrade to the Tier 1 subscription by donating $10 a month and receive more tools, like the ability to parse your DNA or recreate the DNA profile of a lost loved-one, or the ability to research a GEDCOM family tree file. It’s sort of like Google for your DNA.
GEDmatch And MyHeritage Compatibility
If you get a DNA test with MyHeritage, the raw data you can request to download is compatible with GEDmatch. Simply register with GEDmatch, and follow the instructions to upload your file and get started. GEDmatch offers powerful tools used by genetic genealogists and law enforcement to identify DNA samples.
Do More With Your Raw DNA Data!
While these two companies offer a powerful way to explore your genetic ancestry, there are many other companies which offer different kinds of DNA analysis for free. Below is a list of different services which provide different kinds of tests including health tests, fitness tests, nutrition tests, and many more.
To find out more DNA upload sites, check out our article "The Best DNA Upload Sites".
