Our Ancestry FAQ provides detailed answers to common questions
Our ethnicity estimates are grounded in a scientific approach, aiming to match your DNA with modern world populations as accurately as possible. Differences between our results and those from other companies can occur due to variations in methodologies used to classify and analyze genetic data.
Additionally, our algorithm may sometimes identify older or overlapping ancestries, especially when populations from neighboring regions share a common history. For instance, British ancestry might appear as French or Scandinavian, reflecting ancient genetic exchanges and migrations in those areas.
Our proprietary algorithm performs a detailed analysis of your genetic ancestry by separating and analyzing DNA inherited from your mother and father. This process, known as phasing, involves dividing your DNA into short segments and comparing them to ancient samples in our database. These segments are classified based on their similarity to specific samples, with probabilities assigned to each match. To enhance accuracy, we apply a smoothing algorithm that minimizes the assignment of DNA to less likely samples. This systematic and precise method ensures a thorough and accurate assessment of your genetic ancestry.
We use a reference panel comprising 84 world regions divided into 498 genetic populations. These populations are sourced from scientifically recognized biobanks, ensuring the reliability of our data. Our reference sources include:
Reference Populations
Our analysis of Shared Ancient Origins is based on a reference panel of 37 world regions, divided into 200 genetic populations. These populations are sourced from reputable biobanks, including:
Reference Populations
We aim to update our ancestry reports twice a year. You will be notified by email when updates are available, and the updated report will include the revision date for reference.
The "Modern Shared Origins" report estimates your genetic similarity with contemporary populations to help identify ancestral connections within the past 500 years. This analysis uses shared DNA segments to provide insights into your relationship with modern populations, highlighting potential recent ancestry and genealogical connections.
The "Ancient Shared Origins" report estimates an ancient shared origin between populations. Two ethnicities may share a common origin from thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago. This does not necessarily mean you directly descend from this population, but rather that both groups originate from a common ancestral population. For example, Native Americans share a common origin with Siberians, Mongolians, and East Asians. Genetic evidence suggests that around 15,000–20,000 years ago, the first settlers in the Americas migrated from Asia via the Bering Land Bridge.
Our algorithm is highly reliable, but we always encourage transparency. To gain a comprehensive understanding of your heritage, we strongly recommend conducting thorough genealogical research. Building a family tree using authentic records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates will provide more clarity.
It is important to note that a significant genetic result from a specific region often indicates a more recent ancestral connection, especially if the region is known for its distinctive heritage. For example, if your known ancestry is exclusively European but your results show more than 5% Native American heritage, this may suggest a not-so-distant ancestor from the Americas.
However, minor percentages from unexpected regions are not uncommon. These results may reflect ancestral overlap among populations with a shared history, which could date back thousands of years rather than indicating a recent direct ancestor.
From a scientific perspective, genetic similarity is the extent to which your DNA shares common patterns with the DNA of populations from around the world. DNA doesn’t belong exclusively to a specific region or ethnicity, as human genetic variation is complex and influenced by millennia of migrations, admixtures, and shared ancestry. Instead of identifying "region-specific DNA," genetic testing focuses on similarities by comparing your DNA to genetic reference panels of modern populations. These reference panels represent the collective genetic diversity of groups living in specific regions today. The goal is to find the population whose genetic profile most closely resembles your DNA, offering insights into your ancestral origins and historical connections.
The map is designed as a visual guide to help you understand the primary regions our test focuses on. While it provides a general overview, some regions may not encompass all areas that could be culturally or historically associated with that region. Therefore, the map should be seen as a simplified representation rather than a precise boundary of genetic distributions.
Our test identifies genetic affinity or similarity with populations within specific regions. This means your genetics may resemble those of individuals from a neighboring region or one with shared ancestry patterns, even if it doesn’t match the exact country associated with your heritage.
Please note that the country estimations in the report are not intended to pinpoint your ancestral origins precisely. Instead, they reflect populations with genetic traits similar to yours. Therefore, the results should be used as a general guide rather than definitive evidence of your ancestry’s geographic origins.
Here is the rewritten and more accurate version of your text, with better explanations:Understanding your ancestry requires exploring the history and characteristics of modern populations and their migrations. This approach offers insights into your heritage and how various groups settled in their current locations.
Ethnic groups are not isolated or "pure." They are a blend of influences shaped by historical events like wars, trade, and human migrations, which have contributed to their genetic makeup today.
While individuals from the same population often share common traits due to shared genotypes, these traits can vary widely. A trait common to one population does not exclude the possibility of different phenotypes within the same ancestry.
For example, people often classify appearances by stereotypes—such as associating fair skin and light hair with northwestern Europeans. However, darker features can also be found in the same population, just as lighter traits may appear in southern Europeans.
If your appearance differs from typical traits of your region or country, it does not necessarily indicate ancestry from a distant location. Instead, you may have inherited an ancestral feature less prevalent in your region.
Remember, genotype (your genetic blueprint) and phenotype (your physical traits) are connected but influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition, climate, and life experiences.
Our service can predict MTDNA and YDNA haplogroups using specific DNA markers (SNPs) in your DNA file. However, not all DNA files contain these markers, as different companies include varying amounts of data:
Companies providing high-quality MTDNA and YDNA markers:
Companies providing limited-quality markers:
Companies that do not provide MTDNA or YDNA markers:
If your DNA file lacks the necessary markers, your report will indicate this. It also includes a quality score to assess the accuracy of any predictions provided.
To improve your MTDNA or YDNA haplogroup prediction, consider these options:
*These companies provide full genome sequencing services.
No, your DNA remains constant throughout your life. Testing today or in 20 years will yield the same genetic file.
Our service supports DNA files from any company, but it performs best with the latest genotyping platforms from major providers. We recommend using files from Illumina GSA genochip-based testing, offered by these companies (as of September 2023):
Yes, the count of Neanderthal-related variants in your results depends on the DNA markers included in your uploaded file. Variations in marker availability across different testing platforms can impact the results.