Editors Choice

Family Tree DNA Family Finder

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Family Finder is an autosomal DNA test that automatically finds your relatives within 5 generations, helping build your family tree. It works by comparing your DNA to the DNA of other users in their massive database. Once a fee is paid to Family Treed DNA, they send an easy to use test kit. Simply swab the inside of the cheek, put the tester back into the tube and pop it in the mail.

The first thing that you will see after getting a notice that your results are in, is the dashboard. It displays links to all the test you have taken (if you have taken additional test) and a link to a family tree that you might be building. The next button is the one that you want to check out. It has all the matches of your family.

Next is the Chromosome Browser, which needs a bit of understanding to use. Family Tree DNA thought about that and provide an interactive tutorial. You just click on a check box to select a person from your match list and view the segments of DNA that you match on each chromosome.

Family Tree DNA Surname, Lineage and Geographical Projects Projects create opportunities for people to work with others to explore their common genetic heritage. Family Tree DNA encourages customers’ participation in projects. Membership is free and voluntary.

Known Relationships is the place that you use when you find a match that you establish a relationship with. Let’s say that you determine that a specific match is your 2nd cousin, once removed. You would log that information into this section. You can Assign relationships to your matches on the Family Finder Matches page.

myOrigins is where you will learn about your roots. The map shows the part of the world where you come from and since you might come from different places, you can isolate the sources by region. You can deep dive into the contents.

Family Tree DNA Family Finder
Family Finder is an autosomal DNA test that automatically finds your relatives within 5 generations. It works by comparing your DNA to the DNA of other users in their massive database. Once a fee is paid to Family Treed DNA, they send an easy to use test kit. Simply swab the inside of the cheek, put the tester back into the tube and pop it in the mail
$89

There is a box that opens up that enables you to check each of your relatives or to filter the list according to different level of relatives (immediate, close…). The site explains it the following way:

Who are you? That’s a question with many possible answers. You are the sum of a lifetime of experiences. You are the result of choices you have made. You are the result of truths your parents instilled in you. You are the outcome of values drawn from your culture. From a genetic perspective, however, you are the outcome of a long process of genealogical fusion. A man and a woman coming together, one of millions on a vast constellation which explodes out across the earth, and coalesces back to a few ancient progenitors.

The personal tree of life ends with you.

How can you summarize the shape of this tree, and all of its branches? There is no one way. myOrigins attempts to reduce the wild complexity of your genealogy to the major historical-genetic themes which arc through the life of our species since its emergence 100,000 years ago on the plains of Africa. Each of our 18 clusters describe a vivid and critical color on the palette from which history has drawn the brushstrokes which form the complexity that is your own genome.
Though we are all different and distinct, we are also drawn from the same fundamental elements. The explanatory narratives in myOrigins attempt to shed some detailed light upon each of the threads which we have highlighted in your genetic code. Though the discrete elements are common to all humans, the weight you give to each element is unique to you. Each individual therefore receives a narrative fabric tailored to their own personal history, a story stitched together from bits of DNA.


PROS:
  • Large database of users/relatives
  • Website has emails of matches
  • Explanations on site
  • Easy swab kit

CONS:
  • Can be difficult to trace “5th” cousins



9.6 Total Score
7 reviews
Excellent DNA Test

Family Finder is an autosomal DNA test that automatically finds your relatives within 5 generations. It works by comparing your DNA to the DNA of other users in their massive database. Once a fee is paid to Family Treed DNA, they send an easy to use test kit. Simply swab the inside of the cheek, put the tester back into the tube and pop it in the mail

9.5Expert Score
Turnaround time
8.5
Ease of test kit
10
Convenience of report/website
9.5
Size of database
10
9.6User's score
Turnaround time
9.4
Ease of test kit
9.5
Convenience of report/website
9.8
Size of database
9.7
PROS
  • One of the largest companies testing today
  • Large database
  • Able to download raw data

Bottom line

The website is built to show your results and also give you opportunities to reveal more. There are many levels of testing that you can do and after viewing your results, you might choose to dig deeper. From speaking with people who have done the Family Finder test, it is not unusual to get back results that connect you with THOUSANDS of relatives, who also took the bold step of testing their DNA.

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  1. 4.6
    Ease of test kit
    90
    Turnaround time
    90
    Convenience of report/website
    100
    Size of database
    90

    I bought this kit for my wife, and she found lots of relatives through the results.

    + PROS: Great value Efficient website
    - CONS: None!
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  2. 4.85
    Ease of test kit
    100
    Turnaround time
    90
    Convenience of report/website
    100
    Size of database
    100

    These guys are the best! I received THOUSANDS of matches and am still contacting long lost cousins. I highly recommend this test. I did the Y-DNA and di not receive as many matches.

    + PROS: Easy to use website
    - CONS: I had to wait almost two months for my results
    Helpful(2) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
  3. 4.75
    Ease of test kit
    90
    Turnaround time
    90
    Convenience of report/website
    100
    Size of database
    100

    This is the leading company offering family tests. Their database is huge and the website is easy to use. The test was very simple, I just touched the swab to the inside of my cheeks.

    + PROS: Great price Large database of names Good interface
    - CONS: Results took over a month
    Helpful(2) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
  4. 4.85
    Ease of test kit
    100
    Turnaround time
    100
    Convenience of report/website
    90
    Size of database
    100

    I was very pleased both with the results and my dealings with the company. Thank you for creating this great site, which enabled me to shop for the best test.

    + PROS: Easy to use. Good website
    Helpful(2) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
  5. 4.75
    Turnaround time
    90
    Ease of test kit
    100
    Convenience of report/website
    100
    Size of database
    90

    These guys are professionals. The test was easy, the wait was about six weeks and the website is easy to use with more tools than I can use. I was floored when I found out how many “cousins” I found online.

    Helpful(1) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
  6. 4.85
    Turnaround time
    90
    Ease of test kit
    100
    Convenience of report/website
    100
    Size of database
    100

    I tested with FTDNA and was very pleased with their service. I see that the price is lower than when I tested and that might be the reason I have so many more matches than when I bought my test kit. I now have OVER 10,000 matches!!! Amazing!

    + PROS: Huge database Great website Easy test
    Helpful(1) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
  7. 5
    Turnaround time
    100
    Ease of test kit
    100
    Convenience of report/website
    100
    Size of database
    100

    I was very impressed with this company. The Family Finder has enabled me to reach out to literally thousands of relatives between 2nd and 5th cousins. It was very exciting to get my test results and learn more about my ethnic origin. There are so many bells and whistles in the dashboard I am still learning to use the site to its fullest. I was so happy with my first test that I ordered a second and since they store the DNA samples, I did not have to retest.

    I give them a 10/10!

    + PROS: Saves sample DNA for future tests Less expensive than some of the other test that I checked out
    Helpful(2) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
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