How to Use MyHeritage?
When you think about DNA tests, what comes to mind? Do you think of your high school science class where the teacher had students spit into a cup and then send it off for testing? Or maybe you remember the various TV commercials that claim to tell everything there is to know about who we are. Well, whichever one of these thoughts comes up first in your head when thinking about DNA tests, MyHeritage has something different in store for you.
MyHeritage is an online platform where people can find more information on their family backgrounds by uploading their raw data from other companies' DNA test kits. It's important to note that currently, only MyHeritage self-test kits are supported by MyHeritage, but they're working hard on adding more companies to their list.
How DNA Testing Works at MyHeritage
As mentioned above, people can upload the raw data from the MyHeritage DNA test kits they've used. MyHeritage will then do all the work for them by searching through their billions of genealogical records database to find family relations that were not obvious before.
This means you don't have to go through the hassle of finding your relatives since MyHeritage has already done that for you. All you have to do is wait and let them tell you who's related to whom in your family tree!
This way, it saves both time and money on people's part. DNA testing kits can be pretty expensive; however, it only costs the same as a standard DNA test kit when you use MyHeritage to upload your raw data.
People are not sure how much they should trust these new types of tests emerging lately, but with MyHeritage's history and proven accuracy, many people have found peace of mind knowing their results will be accurate.
The MyHeritage DNA test works fast and is easy to achieve. The test kit comes with:
- An instruction manual
- 2 Vials
- An activation card
- A return envelope
- A plastic bag
- 2 Cheek swabs
To use the kit effectively, you'll do the following:
- Start by activating your 'MyHeritage Kit' online through the MyHeritage website.
- Take out one of the swabs from its plastic cover.
- Use the swab to scrub the inside of one of your cheeks for about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Open one vial and break your used swab inside the vial at the marked black line. Make sure you don't touch the swab on any other surface except the inside of the vial when breaking it.
- Once the swab is safely inside the vial, leave it there and close the vial tightly.
- Repeat the process on the other cheek using the remaining swab and vial.
- Now take the plastic bag, open it and place the two vials inside it next to the white pad.
- Put the plastic bag in the return envelope and seal it before you mail it back to MyHeritage DNA lab for screening.
The results usually arrive three to four weeks after the submission date of your samples to the lab.
What Happens Inside the MyHeritage Lab?
After you've submitted your DNA test kit for analysis, the team at MyHeritage DNA lab will check it for any signs of tampering or manipulation.
They run a series of quality control tests on the DNA samples before turning them over to their team of specialists, who analyze your genetic data and send you an email with a link to your secure online results page. All this information is available in easy-to-read graphs and charts.
The Smart Match
The samples you submit are compared to the profiles in your family tree. If a DNA profile in your family tree has been tested, it is marked with a green dot. The more green dots you have on your family tree, the better - that means there are fewer records to compare against, and the matching process will be quicker.
If no one from your genetic line has taken part in testing yet, but someone else has, the smart match uses that information to estimate which relatives you are related to.
When a relative is found who has taken part in testing their DNA profile then they will be marked with a purple dot on your family tree - these profiles are more likely to yield further matches at some point. You can also see how many shared centimorgans (cM) you have with a purple dot relative - the higher number of shared cM, the closer your relationship.
If a match is found and they are part of one of your multi-copy genealogical DNA segments (MTDNA or YDNA), these will be marked on your family tree as well to help you find them in the trees of other testers.
The Record Match
Record matching is when MyHeritage automatically searches its family history records to help analyze and match your DNA results in the quickest way possible. If a match is found, you can both see the same record in your family tree profiles.
You will receive an automatic notification email when someone who has tested with MyHeritage orders a new DNA test and whose profile matches yours. You will also get an email if any other changes to their records or trees might help you find a family connection.
The Record Matches tab is available on the DNA results page. It allows you to research potential matches with more information such as shared records, family history events (births, marriages, etc.) that might help confirm or refute your connections.
Make the Process Easier: Upload Your Family Tree DNA
To make the process easier, you can upload your family tree to discover new relatives and ancestors whose profile has not yet been found in the MyHeritage database and learn about newly discovered matches and their family trees. You will see all of this information on your personal results page which is viewable only by you.
MyHeritage is the number one option for those who are serious about learning more about their family tree. This company is popular among people everywhere because of its user-friendly experience which makes the entire process easy to understand and quick to complete.
References:
https://www.myheritage.com/dna
https://www.familytreemagazine.com/websites/myheritage/myheritage-guide/
https://vimeo.com/191543166
