Family Tree DNA Reviews

(based on 41 reviews)

203 of 388 people found this review helpful

Was easy to process and relatively timely response. Information provided is almost meaningless though and was not worth the time to do.

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

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.

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.

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.

253 of 486 people found this review helpful

It is hard to fathom how a company with so much potential could get by with offering such an abysmal user experience. I am so excited about the results, but just do not have the patience for this low-budget database. I am an experienced genealogist and experienced database user but this is impossible. Hopefully there will be other services coming down the pike, or else these folks will get their act together.

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