Hi folks. Have any of you taken the DNA ancestry test kit? Two family members want this for Christmas and we were wondering how invasive they are. To my absolute surprise and dismay, my mother's photos and wedding pictures are on a site that a cousin tried. No one else in the family has these photos, nor did she, and I am really upset that privacy does not seem to be a concern with these companies. How the hell did they get photos from over 70 years ago? They are not on Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media in fact, the cousin did not ever see these photos and wasn't sure who they were. What the hell? I need to investigate further through phone calls and whatever I need to do to find out where they get permission to use, and sources to find, such personal items. I am really ticked.
My nephew is adopted and has never desired a search for biologic parents. When his son does this test, they will obviously be listed. You don't have to contact others, but we understand that once you submit your sample you will become part of the database and your information will be out there for contact from others (that you may not want to hear from).
If you submitted your DNA, would you mind sharing the experience and what was available to you from which company? I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
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15 comments:
My husband and I both did the Ancestry test....very interesting info...fun for us to see the percentages shown in our tests...no odd contacts, but then you never know, it all depends on who adds their DNA test to the mix...not sure how 123 & Me works...hope this helps in your decision.
I don't trust any of these DNA tests and would never do any myself. I know where I came from and that is good enough for me. You never know who will get their hands on your results. Be careful.
No matter what you hear otherwise, once any information is submitted to Ancestry, they claim that they own it. Trees with family info, private or public, etc. Anything you submit or do.
THat said, DNA is an iffy thing yet. All the companies have already said and done - that they will hand over DNA results without a warrant. That alone bothers me. Others it doesn't. Doesn't matter if you ever did anything wrong or not. Cops have been impersonated before, probably still will in the future.
If you (or anyone) shares their DNA, then the other party can do anything with it. Load it onto other programs, share with the public, etc.
Everyone has to weigh the risks and make the decision for yourself. Yo
u also have to admit there is risk. Many won't.
I submitted mine, you won't be contacted by anyone unless you give permission for an email to get through. I find it neither intrusive or a problem. In fact I found some relatives I never knew I had. Someone, perhaps someone in the wedding, had a picture they put online. It is not a true test in terms of a paternity test but it is a fun thing to find out about.
Well.....I have a family member who did this. At a recent gathering he told us all that there is a sibling unknown to them. It was listed on the site. Don't remember which company they used. Let the confusion, betrayal, and exposure begin. Disaster. Not that this would happen with everyone but be aware, once that information is out there, it is out there. Another family member did this and found out that what she had been told her entire life about heritage etc. was a lie. Sort of a whopper. While she is glad that she now knows, she has been depressed and unsettled ever since. Only even mentioned it accidentally. Another person I know was thrilled to have this information and share it. I have declined. I know what I know and that is enough for me. I don't want my private information more exposed than it already is. And remember, once your information is available it can be manipulated to other circumstances. No is my vote. I have another story but it is not mine and I won't share it. It is tragic is many ways.
I have never considered doing a test and never will. I just read this post and the comments out of interest. HOLY SMOKES!!!
For the photos to be on Ancestry.com they had to have been uploaded by someone who had the photos or copies of the photos to begin with. I have uploaded family photos to Ancestry and had them added to other trees by relatives, but I did that purposely for other family members to share. Any info on living persons is kept private. I have been doing the genealogy thing since before the internet, not sure yet if I will ever do the DNA test.
I wonder if anyone in my family has done the testing...I think I will be asking. I personally do not want to do the testing as I did read that it can be obtained by the law … not that I have anything to hide, but who knows where the info will end up.
I plus hubby took the Ancestry DNA test and it has been exciting finding relatives around the world. I too have found photos on Ancestry of members of my family, which i enjoy seeing. Personally i do not put photos on, as I cannot be bothered to learn how!
That's freaky about your mother's pictures! I know that 123 can also provide information on your genes for health reasons, which can definitely be useful in certain cases.
I tried to email you but it won't let me see your email address. I have done Ancestry DNA for all of my husband's immediate family and would be willing to share info, please email me.
I'm so glad you asked this question and solicited opinions. I have been thinking about doing it, too, but the privacy thing really concerns me.
Also, glad you are feeling better. I've been carrying you in the front seat of my thoughts.
Food for thought. I have been considering it but now may reconsider.
Hope your Thanksgiving was good and in spite of everything, I know you are thankful.
You might be interested in the article at https://gizmodo.com/how-dna-testing-botched-my-familys-heritage-and-probab-1820932637
Ancestry does require a warrant from police officials, however, you are able to download the file with the dna results and upload it to other sites (for comparison to others), it is that information that some police officials have accessed and used to arrest people who have committed crimes such as rape and have their dna information in police data bases. I had my DNA done several years ago by Ancestry, my results have changed 3 times as they update their testing. The first time I was not British, then I was Italian, now I am not Italian but I am very British. If you take the test you must not get to excited about the results, it is a changing science and your results will continue to change. I considered 123andme but read some reviews and decided that I was not going to spend the additional money because it is no more accurate than Ancestry. If you take the Ancestry test you do not have to pay for their monthly service in order to get DNA matches but it is my understanding that unless you are a subscriber you cannot contact other members nor can they contact you. They can see if you are a sibling, parent, or cousin but they cannot contact you. If you would rather not know family secrets, then DNA testing on Ancestry is not for you. My family learned that a family member had been forced into prostitution and had been raped by two men, it produced a mix raced child that she gave up, it was his daughters that contacted her. She wants nothing to do with them and they are devastated.
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