Family Tree DNA Reviews

(based on 41 reviews)

29 of 59 people found this review helpful

I have been with FamilytreeDNA for about 3 years. Their ability to provide me the ability to track my family heritage is somewhere between poor to fair. The overwhelming majority of over 1,000 DNA matches are 5th cousins. What do you call a 5th cousin - a stranger. Knowing what I know now, I would not have enrolled in their DNA testing service.

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

63 of 128 people found this review helpful

My husband and I both did autosomal DNA testing through Ancestry and were happy with the results. Because my husband has a Cherokee blood line through his grandmother, we wanted to test his (female) cousin who carries mtDNA of the maternal line. The specimen was sent off at the end of September. After 5 months of calls and unanswered emails, the results are still "delayed." Unless you are willing to spend a lot and wait forever, don't use this company!

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

71 of 149 people found this review helpful

I just received a email from Familytree DNA telling me that the worry that everyone has on how this data is used is not only a worry but a fact. I am not a criminal but I damn sure did not want ANY government agency to have and use my data in any way shape or form. How many times have companies just like this one say give me your information, we will guard it with our life and it is our main job is to protect your information. Then they don't, either selling the data (bet FTN is doing this now or looking for ways to do it) or being so loose with the data anyone can access. Does anyone out there know if there is a lawsuit filed against familytree dna for mishandling our data? What is really maddening about this is that everyone I talked to said this would happen. Everyone needs to understand that this company will do whatever they want too expecting to send a email of apology out when they get called out. Also, when you see a company that gives you a... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

64 of 125 people found this review helpful

I have been with Family Tree DNA since 2009 and was initially put off by it. However at the time I tested, they only offered mtDNA and YDNA tests. My lack of knowledge caused my frustration and the lack of participants in the YDNA surname group that my father belongs to was another source of frustration. However, when they offered autosomal testing, Family Finder, then I was much happier as I began to connect to distant family members. My complaint is not with FTDNA but with people who choose these tests and treat them like a parlor game. I am interested in genealogy and hope to meet others who submit their DNA kits with the same interest. The ethnic breakdown is interesting but was not my main goal. I also have submitted a spit sample to Ancestry and 23andMe and they do have a larger group of participants but it is just a much larger group who have no interest in genealogy and think they are going to learn all about their ethnic background. I recommend Family Tree DNA to all my friends unless they are adopted and looking for their biological... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

68 of 143 people found this review helpful

Patiently waited 2 months for results. When I got the results it was in a special code (D4338) with a list of "Learning" website links to supposedly teach you how to read the codes. My email requests for clarification were answered quickly, but the response was more scientific gibberish. I read an article on line that said this DNA test would prove/disprove American Indian heritage. So far all I've gotten for my $180 is a lot of nonsensical, unreadable data.

Do not waste your money on this test. You won't get the answers you're looking for.

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

73 of 138 people found this review helpful

I got this for my uncle because Ancestry's dna couldn't get a trace (because of illness) So I thought, ok, put out the $250.00 for FTDNA. Boy was that a waste of money!!!!!!!!! You can't download it to anything, you can't understand what your results are unless you are a scientist. To me it's a ripoff. Even calling you are on hold 30 minutes or more. My cousin was wanting to test his dad & I told him not to do this one.. DON't RECCOMMEND UNLESS A SCIENTIST

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

60 of 135 people found this review helpful

I paid Family Tree DNA & so far all I've gotten is their website with a ton of additional fees attached to other tests I can buy. I thought they would take my DNA results & scientifically examine it for clues to my family origin. What I got is a lot of possible web places I can research! So far, I think I could have done as well (maybe better) with an ancestral site. What a scam so far!

sherry333

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

78 of 171 people found this review helpful

This company is marketing every week but they cannot deliver in a timely manner. They have never heard of the concept of time is of the essence or service to the customer. Their service is abysmal. I have had my pending results delayed three times now and it will be almost 5 months from the time they sent me the kit before I get the results, unless, of course they delay again. They use the legal jargon that the pending results are only an estimate as a rationale for their poor service.

I tried to submit a request on line but they obviously don't take complaints so this is my only recourse other than contacting the Better Business Bureau.

They should have to put on their ads that you may have to wait up to a year for your results but they will be glad to take your money now.

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

117 of 256 people found this review helpful

Thought I'd try this out but was disappointed to discover the limited results for the money. To find out detailed information, you have to keep purchasing more tests & products. Not what I expected at all. Read all of the product information to make sure this is what you're searching for in a DNA test.

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.

122 of 264 people found this review helpful

I wanted to find out who the heck I was, and only had sketchy family information to go on. They ask for most distant known relative (its a trap!). I'm not certain who my father is but my I used the name on my (supposed) birth certificate. I purchased the major test and soon received hundreds of matches.
After some consideration and upgrade fees, I thought to ask the question of whether the results were DNA or surname related. I edited my profile and removed the relatives' names and suddenly I'm only related to 1 person in the whole world.
So all the previous results were based simply on the name given. I could do the same just by opening a phonebook and highlighting everyone with my last name - because I must be related to all of them right?

And the information the provide is EXTREMELY scientific and overly complicated. Nowhere can you easily see how much of any racial or ethnic group you are, and you have to buy a separate test to see if your a Native American.

Their excuse for hazy results and complicated explanations is that the technology is still new and innovations are constantly taking place.

All I want... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree DNA to a friend.