Family Tree DNA Reviews

(based on 41 reviews)

182 of 394 people found this review helpful

I spent $170 and received nothing for it. I have traced my ancestry back 250 years and they did not find that. This is a hoax. When I advised them that I was unsatisfied with the results, they told me they couldn't do anything about it.

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

227 of 439 people found this review helpful

Firstly, let me specify that I am an Aleut, certified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, born and raised in Alaska. Being male, I have paid for the Y-DNA 111, mtDNA full sequence, and the autosomal DNA testing called family finder. I wanted a broader understanding of my ancestral history, well beyond what I was able to grasp from my rather extensive family tree.

At this point, I am very unsatisifed with the results, especially where cost for this extensive testing is considered. As far as determing Haplogroup, FTDNA seems just fine, but provides only the most generic information on origin, lacking related ethnicity. For example, my mtDNA was classified as D2A1A, which is specific of Aleuts. However, the report I received (if it can even be called that), just said that the Haplogroup first emerged about 20,000 years ago. No additional information was provided.

I haven't received the Y-DNA 111 results yet, although I already know the Haplogroup. Both my father and grandfather have done the testing, but only at 37 markers. My decision to test at the maximum level was to determine most common ancestor by those people who share my family... (Read the full review)

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

234 of 435 people found this review helpful

After using 23andme, I wanted confirmation so I decided to use FTDNA. What a huge disappointment!! 23andme provided interesting and robust genetic and health data as part of the $99, money well spent. As for FTDNA, I paid $164 and waited over 3 months, during which time FTDFNA reduced their price over 300% for the same exact test!!. When the results finally came there were no matches and no explanation. Just a haplotype. For more info, you would have to pay more for their upgrades. Meh

I highly recommend 23andme and would not use FTDNA.

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

229 of 427 people found this review helpful

Signing up and paying for a DNA test for genealogy purposes at Family Tree DNA was easy. It took around 7-8 weeks before I received any results. Unfortunately, the Population Finder results (map and details spreadsheet) were incorrect. The world map marked the Middle East for East Asia, Europe for the Middle East, and Central America for Europe. The details spreadsheet had the percentages for each continental group correct, but the continental groups themselves were incorrect just like on the world map. I definitely wouldn't present this data at my family's genealogy get together. It would be too embarrassing.

When I called Family Tree DNA the first time, I was told that it would be about 1-2 weeks before their IT people could fix the problem. When I called the second time about a month later, I was told that they had no idea when it would be corrected by their IT people.

Evidently, they'll gladly take your money knowing that you won't get correct documentation. It is a lesson learned.

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

205 of 397 people found this review helpful

My mom had this done at the urging of a friend who used the same service with good results. Mom send in her test in November 2012. It is now April 29, 2013 and still no results.

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

238 of 441 people found this review helpful

My full sequence mtdna test results have now been delayed twice . My results were again expected today - I went online to check and they have upped the date for another month - no explanation - no phone call - no email - nothing - their customer service is atrocious - they take your money and apparently, they run --horrible experience with them

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

252 of 466 people found this review helpful

I ordered a full-sequence (most expensive package) mtDNA test on January 9, 2013. Their first projected date of my results was in late February. Checked on that date, very eager, because I have no idea about my mother's-mother's heritage. I clicked on the "time clock," which indicated that my results were still pending and the new "results expected" date was about two weeks later. Still no results. Long story short, now the results are expected by April 29. That's close to four months to wait on a very expensive mtDNA test. And trying to navigate your way around the very busy website with far too many options is enough to pull your hair out.

The ease of ordering a test is superb, but there is no customer service. I've written them three times -- no answer. I wouldn't be writing this if just one person had answered my first email.

I'd also appreciate it if they could mail me the results in a package so I won't have to peer at the results on the computer screen or use up all my color inkjet capsules to print my own test results. That's a cheap way to run a business... (Read the full review)

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

238 of 482 people found this review helpful

I want to share my frustration at the long period of time to receive a testing kit from the date of purchase (I live in the UK). There is also a time delay involved in returning the kit. This return delay is possibly the responsibility of the UK and USA postal services. My feeling is that the price for a test through FTDNA is very good although you need to be prepared to wait and wait and wait......befoe the test even gets to the lab.

I sent a couple of emails to FTDNA and had no response although I did eventually receive a response from the CEO which was reassuring to some extent.

If there was a way of starting again, I would use a company in the UK (if possible) even if that is a more expensive option. I value certainty. Remember, as I write there is a small vial of my DNA moving around the world and who knows where it has landed?

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

233 of 443 people found this review helpful

I joined...Wish I had saved my money.
I guess one can't call all those email solicitations "spam", because I initiated the contact by purchasing their product. I get one every 30 hours.
Navigation of their website is cumbersome and ALWAYS brings me back to an opportunity to purchase an upgrade. I can't even force myself to go back on it and attempt any research, because I know I'm always one-click-away from finding myself back at square one...where I can upgrade or purchase an additional enhancement.

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

250 of 511 people found this review helpful

As another person commented, the FTDNA user interface is, to be kind, poor, but their customer support is stellar, they have the largest database of DNA tests (very important when looking for matches), they are affiliated with the top scientists in the field, they have made more (genealogically-relevant) discoveries than all their competition combined and they are focused on genealogy and helping other genealogists find their missing family ties.

There is only one other DNA testing company that even comes close to FTDNA and that is 23andme, but their focus is on medical health traits. Their user interface is great, but they do not encourage genealogical endeavors. For example, they do not offer ancestry projects (e.g. surnames or geographical or haplogroup, etc.) and do not have project administrators or facilitators to help people with common goals analyze their data and understand the meaning of the matches they have. They are a company founded to investigate genetics in health and human traits and genealogy is way down the list of their priorities. The founders of 23andme are not genealogists whereas the founder of Family Tree DNA is a genealogist who founded the first company to use DNA as... (Read the full review)

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