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.

64 of 129 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.

133 of 284 people found this review helpful

It appears that the experience with this vendor is consistent - poor. I ordered 3 tests: Y-DNA, MtDNA and Family Finder. After waiting months for results, all three delivery dates were constantly pushed out. Results on Y-DNA came back inconclusive and had to be rerun. Family Finder finally came back (with clearly erroneous results) and MtDNA has been delayed again. I have very little confidence in the results as my Y-DNA Halogroup was basically guessed at based on where my Dad came from, with no conclusive results displayed. I was told that if I wanted more accurate results, I would have to upgrade testing to a higher level. One would think the 37 marker sufficient.

While the representatives have all been pleasant, they really are not well trained and lack sufficient knowledge to provide adequate support for interpretation of results (in other words: they guess). You basically receive a data dump without any interpretation. If you are lucky enough to find a close relative (I have none) the matches may perhaps be useful, although I haven't found that to be the case. On Family Finder, you are also matched off with... (Read the full review)

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

164 of 329 people found this review helpful

I would not use Family DNA again. The length of time in receiving the product, expectations of what I would receive and technical problems with the web site and links to other recommended sites were the major reasons I cannot honestly recommend this product. I really wish I could have. The length of time should be provided during the ordering process and I would suggest giving the worst case scenario for processing orders. When you make an inquiry, the company's email response was timely, but it did not generate a timely resolution. I read the negative reviews and I wanted to give the service the benefit of the doubt so I ordered the product. Plus the endorsement of the product is by someone that I respect. The low end of the product is like a starter kit. You get information you can use, but just like the kit lens you get with a nice camera, in order to get better pictures you will have to upgrade. I would suggest marketing this product closer to the consumer's expectations and you will not get these types of complaints. The value and price and perception don't... (Read the full review)

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

178 of 313 people found this review helpful

Like many other reviews posted here, my experience with FTDNA has not been good.

Results from my pending test (Y-DNA) have been delayed three times (with the possibility of further delays). My test was ordered in November of 2014 (when a sale price was offered), and still no results have been returned to me, three months later. I used the "contact us" form on the FTDNA website to inquire about the delay, but received no response.

The bottom line is FTDNA's testing is slow, they are indifferent to customer concerns, and I will not use them again for any further DNA testing.

If you want my business, you'd better earn it. FTDNA has not.

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

173 of 342 people found this review helpful

It is supposed to take 8 weeks to get your DNA results. It took me over 16 weeks and then I wasn't notified when the results were posted. I have found matches in my Haplogroup with the same name on the internet, but they are not in my Familytreedna matches. I was hoping to bridge the brick wall, but I don't see that happening. I would recommend trying someone else for your DNA tests.

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.

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.