MyHeritage review : the best affordable and reliable DNA test?

Launched in 2003, MyHeritage DNA is a genealogy laboratory that offers the possibility of analyzing one’s DNA using a genuine autosomal DNA kit for $ 89, as well as a health DNA kit. The company also provides its customers with high-performance software to build a family tree to complement dna test results , a service that not all laboratories systematically offer.

MyHeritage: the key facts

Informations
🌐 Website	➤ Visit
🗓️ Year of creation	2003
🧬Type of DNA test offered	Autosomal DNA test
🌏 Geographical coverage	More than 2,100 regions
🧪 Type of sampling	Sampling inside the cheek
📈 Results reports	Detailed ancestry DNA matches Identification of family relationships
💾Database	14 billion historical and genealogical documents
🔍 Search tools	✅
🔬Reliability and precision	99 %
📲 Mobile application	✅
⏳Processing time	About 3 weeks
📞 Customer support	0 805 08 00 98
💵  Price	€ 89
🗂 Data compatibility	GEDCOM format
💪 Highlights	European and American DNA data Ability to bring old images back to life Family tree creation tool AI avatar creation tool

Take a MyHeritage DNA test to discover your ancestral origins

DNA testing refers to a genetic test analyzing gene, DNA parentage transmitted by a father and mother.

There are 3 types of DNA test analyzing the genome:

• The mitochondria DNA testl, mt chromosome analysis: It enables maternal lineage to be analyzed and traced. Both men and women can undergo this type of test;
• Y-DNA test (Y chromosome) : Reserved for men only, Y-chromosome analysis enables paternal lineage to be traced, and it is this DNA sample that is taken to perform a paternity test;
• The genealogical DNA test : This test is the most frequent of the 3, (this DNA test is offered in by all laboratories, discover our various advice on DNA tests). In addition to identifying genetic cousins sharing the same DNA segments, it allows you to trace ethnic origins and discover your ancestors your grandparents and their great-grandparents;

This is the genealogical DNA test that MyHeritage offers with its autosomal DNA kit to discover the mapping of your ancestors and ethnic origins. To carry out this deoxyribonucleic acid study and tag the genome, researchers will analyze your genetic markers,either a gene or a DNA sequencedetectable on one of your chromosomes.

This genetic analysis allows you to find out more about your ancestors, the geographical regions where they lived and also uncovers your family ties. Thanks to this test sent in the form of a kit, Myheritage reveals your genetic heritage by sharing with you the ethnic groups and regions of your origins.

We have taken the genealogical DNA test to verify the veracity of the results obtained.

Easy to use, the DNA kit contains:

• 2 vials ;
• 2 swabs ;
• 1 plastic bag ;
• 1 instruction manual ;
• 1 return envelope ;
• 1 activation card.

Results provided on ethnic origins

The results transmitted on our origins are complete and detailed, MyHeritage has a large collection of ethnic groups. Indeed, with an analysis of our DNA sample across 2114 ethnicities, the laboratory has enabled us to find out more about the geographical areas where our ancestors evolved, but also how they migrated.

We were also able to discover the origins of our ancestors in order to understand which ethnic populations we descend from.

To identify unique founding populations, MyHeritage has set up the “Founding Populations” project. This project involving over 5,000 individuals worldwide has enabled the laboratory to identify unique founder populations.

Recently, the laboratory has integrated a new module to its platform: The map of ethnic origins. This interactive map offers an overview of the most common ethnic origins based on the country selected. Thanks to an enriched database, MyHeritage is the only laboratory to offer this feature.

Results on its DNA matches

With the MyHeritage DNA test, the laboratory provided us with a report on our DNA matches. This unique technology reveals to us the DNA percentage we share with other people who have set up a DNA test at

Myheritage and who have agreed to share their genetic data in MyHeritage DNA’s databases. It is in part thanks to its “Founding Populations” project that MyHeritage is in a position to share this data with you.

This tool has enabled us to obtain detailed information on our DNA matches:

• Our kinship links: MyHeritage has shared with us a diagram of our DNA matches. On it is shown the degree of kinship we share with our DNA marches (Close family, extended family, distant relatives;
• Location: A map allowed us to find out more about the geographical areas from which our kinship links originated;
• Ethnic origine: A table detailing the ethnic origin of each of our matches is included in the analysis report.

Autosomal DNA testing process

Realized in less than 5 minutes, MyHeritage’s autosomal DNA test is easy to perform alone at home. Its process is as follows (a guide to DNA sampling is provided in the kit):

1. Rub the inside of your cheeks for 10 seconds to pick up the swab;
2. Open the vial ;
3. Drop in the swab;
4. Repeat the operation with the second swab;
5. Drop the samples into the plastic bag;
6. Insert the plastic bag into the envelope;
7. Attach a world stamp ;
8. Send your Myheritage envelope.

The results of the DNA analysis were communicated to us 4 weeks after the sample was received at the laboratory. We were able to get our results online, directly on our personal space.

To help you carry out your DNA tests, MyHeritage provides a video tutorial. A plus from the laboratory, which is the only one to offer visual content detailing the process of its autosomal DNA test:

MyHeritage’s health DNA kit

In addition to its autosomal DNA tests, MyHeritage provides a health DNA kit to inform you about your risks for certain genetic diseases: Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, Down’s syndrome, type 2 diabetes and many other hereditary diseases with DNA sequencing.

The DNA health kit is based on the autosomal kit. Additional analyses are carried out at MyHeritage laboratories to alert you to the various risks of hereditary disease to which you could, possibly, be exposed.

In addition to taking into account the advantages of autosomal DNA testing (ethnic origin, kinship links), the Health DNA kit provides you with 42 health reports.

The Health DNA kit includes:

• 2 vials ;
• 2 swabs ;
• 1 plastic bag ;
• 1 instruction manual ;
• 1 return envelope ;
• 1 activation card ;
• 1 health questionnaire.

Genetic risk results

19 reports on risks related to genetic characteristics were communicated to us after analysis of our sample. Each of the reports detailed for us, firstly, our individual risks of developing a genetic disease. Secondly, to compare genetic diseases with the overall geographic population of certain geographical areas.

These health reports do not provide you with reliable medical advice and do not determine whether or not you will develop a hereditary disease. Under no circumstances is a DNA health test a screening test. It is first and foremost a means of prevention. They give you access to valuable genetic information that you can present to your doctor, who will give you feedback on the precautions to take, both for yourself and for reasons of prenatal predisposition.

Bearer status result

Carrier status results refer to the percentage chance that you are a carrier of a hereditary disease.

If both your parents are carriers of a similar genetic condition, you have a nearly 25% chance of being affected by it in your lifetime and 50% of being a carrier of it.

If you’re thinking of starting a family, testing your carrier status will tell you more about the risks your future child could face, an ideal way to take the necessary precautions before he or she is born.

DNA matches and ethnic origins

Like the autosomal DNA test, the health kit includes analysis of ethnic origins as well as DNA matches.

The ethnic origins analysis lets you find out more about your paternal and maternal ancestors.

DNA matches, meanwhile, refer to the set of kinship links you share with other users.

Through the development of the “Founding Populations” project, MyHeritage has been able to identify 2114 ethnies unique in the world, enabling it to carry out precise analyses of your origins as well as your DNA matches.

DNA health test process

The process of health DNA testing is similar to the process of autosomal DNA testing. The only notable difference, it is necessary to complete a health form.

The process is as follows:

• Complete the health questionnaire;
• Rub the swab inside your cheeks to collect saliva (10 seconds) ;
• Open one of the two vials ;
• Drop in the first swab;
• Repeat the operation with the second swab;
• Place the vials in the plastic bag;
• Insert the plastic bag into the return envelope;
• Send your envelope ;

How much does a DNA test with MyHeritage cost?

MyHeritage offers two kits. On the one hand, the autosomal DNA kit which will give you access to your ethnic origins and kinship links. On the other hand, the Health DNA kit, which, in addition to providing you with the autosomal test analyses provides you with a complete health report.

Myheritage Price:

• Autosomal DNA kit : $ 89 excluding shipping costs ;
• Health DNA Kit: $ 199 excluding shipping.

The purchase of the DNA kit does not include shipping costs which amount to $ 12 nor the purchase of the international stamp worth $ 3.

Making a family tree: MyHeritage Family Tree Builder

MyHeritage offers a new, free service in addition to its DNA test. Because your family history begins with your family tree, MyHeritage offers you the chance to create your own.

The lab allows its users to set up a family tree, which MyHeritage will complete for you. To build your family tree, the company draws on the billions of documents in its database.

File Gedcom with MyHeritage

GEDCOM, acronym for “Genealogical Data Communication” is a file dedicated to the exchange of genealogical data between different genealogy software” – MyHeritage

In other words, the GEDCOM file is a file containing coded text containing your family tree.

In order to feed your sructure, MyHeritage offers you the possibility of importing your GEDCOM data directly into the process of creating your family tree.

It is possible to transfer GEDCOM from one genealogy software to another. The vast majority of genealogy programs and websites accept the GEDCOM format. It is therefore entirely possible to use your GEDCOM on different platforms in order to find complementary data.

Genealogy archives

Free of charge, MyHeritage’s family tree builder lets you search billions of documents from its database: birth registers, death notices, census records and many other genealogical resources are at your disposal to help you find out more about your family.

Contribute to the enrichment of the MyHeritage Wiki encyclopedia

You can consult the MyHeritage Wiki, a collaborative encyclopedia available online for free.

You’ll be able to create an account, become a contributor to highlight your various research and/ archives. But also consult certain information to help you in your research such as:

1. Do genealogical research by country (by regions, on its history, geography, family history, ethnicities, popular family names and consult specific references) ;
2. Consult traditions in surnames by country ;
3. Discover historical archives ;
4. Access practical guides to genealogy ;
5. Consult lexicons on genetic origins.

Animating photos with historical AI avatars

MyHeritage also offers you to create avatars of yourself or one of your family members to animate your family tree using their tool, AI Time Machine. This complementary service is also free but limited without subscription.

Restoring an old family photo

You also have the option of restoring an old family photo, its colors, its sharpness with the Reimagine mobile app.

This one will simply digitize old printed photos (in a photo album, for example).

The application also offers the possibility of creating short animations on faces.

MyHeritage DNA mobile app

With the MyHeritage mobile app, it’s possible to build your family tree and consult genealogical archives to research your ancestors.

Thanks to various features, MyHeritage DNA lets you “matcher” your DNA with other users or directly with ancestors:

• Smart Matches:Drawing from its database of over 1.5 billion profiles, MyHeritage compares family trees and lists your kinship links;
• Record Matches : Instantly comparing thousands of records worldwide, MyHeritage provides you with data to advance your genealogical research ;
• SuperSearch : MyHeritage has created a search engine that makes it easy to find your ancestors in its database.

To give you access to all these tools, MyHeritage offers 5 subscription packages:

• The Basic offer, free, allowing you to build a family tree (250 people maximum) ;
• The Premium offer, at $79 /year (first year at $79 ) ;
• The Premium Plus offer at 129 $ / year (first year at $ 89) ;
• The offer unlocking full access to the archives at $ 129 / year (first year at $ 89 ) ;
• The complete offer at $ 189 /year (first year at $ 119).

MyHeritage DNA : Advantages and disadvantages

Our genealogists’ conclusion on MyHeritage DNA

The genetic tests offered by MyHeritage DNA are reliable and allow you to playfully trace your ancestors and ethnic origins . Simple to perform, millions of genealogists have already carried out DNA tests with this laboratory, a sure sign of its quality and reliability. Also, we liked the fact that we received our results in video form, to facilitate understanding of the ethnic results received allowing everyone to easily understand the analysis.

Also, MyHeritage is one of the only genealogical laboratories to offer a complementary service to its DNA kits:The free creation of an online family tree via Family Tree Builder software.

Today renowned throughout the world, this laboratory is one of the market leaders in autosomal DNA analysis.

To conclude, MyHeritage today therefore deserves its success. Our opinion of the Myheritage laboratory is positive. It’s a laboratory with an experienced scientific team offering DNA tests with reliable, detailed results on ethnicity. With an enriched database and free software for building your own family tree, MyHeritage is an ideal choice. For those wishing to begin genealogical research on ethnicity and DNA matches, MyHeritage is an excellent opportunity to discover your family history! After taking a DNA test, we can only recommend that you take a DNA test with this laboratory.

A team of genealogy experts

One of MyHeritage’s main assets:its geneticists. In fact, the laboratory has CLIA certification, allowing us to affirm that the researchers employed by the laboratory all have recognized degrees and the necessary qualifications to enable quality DNA analysis.

Using the highest technological standards with biotechnology (PCR) that enable concrete analysis of the polyphormism of your DNA sequencing. And thus provide you with reliable DNA results, on your ethnic origin through a genetic map of your genes. A geneticist at MyHeritage will help you interpret your DNA results.

Professional, attentive customer service

To ensure a professional and responsive follow-up for its users, MyHeritage provides a customer service team ready to answer the slightest doubts on a wide range of media.

In fact, in the event of problems or if you need help, it’s possible to contact the laboratory’s customer support via several communication media:

• From the mobile application ;
• By mail,on the MyHeritage website ;
• By telephone on 0 805 08 00 98.

When we wrote them an email to understand a little more about our autosomal DNA kit results, we appreciated how quickly they got back to us. Yes, we sent an email in the morning and received an answer to our questions in the afternoon, half a day.

Encrypted and protected data

MyHeritage deploys technical, administrative and physical security measures to protect its users’ data. In order to guarantee maximum security, MyHeritage carries out penetration tests on its system to verify the robustness of its programs.

Furthermore, you have total control over your DNA results and the management of your personal data on your personal space. You may or may not share your results with other genealogists who have performed a DNA test.

A tight-knit genealogy community

With4 billion profiles created and nearly 78 million users, MyHeritage DNA holds one of the best (if not the best) community dedicated to exchange, advice as to the world of genealogy.

It’s partly thanks to this community that, every day, dozens of individuals find distant cousins and living close relatives.

More about MyHeritage

Developed in 2016, MyHeritage DNA lab testing has quickly become a must-have genealogy service. With over 430 researchers spread across the globe, the Israeli company allows you to discover your family history via a DNA test that analyzes your autosome while also having the option of accessing valuable information about your health.

Proof of its reliability, MyHeritage DNA has already enabled a hundred million users to take a DNA test to discover their ethnic origins. To meet international demand, the platform is available in nearly 40 languages.

MyHeritage vs FamilyTree DNA

While Family Tree DNA offers the 3 different types of DNA tests in existence (mitochondrial, Y chromosome and autosomal), MyHeritage DNA offers only the Autosomal DNA test.

This specialization on the part of the laboratory enables it to offer more reliable results about your ethnic origins.

With regard to the database, both laboratories offer a very broad register of documents. It is entirely possible to search both laboratories’ databases.

MyHeritage DNA vs AncestryDNA

Ancestry DNA and MyHeritage are both genetic genealogy labs and they offer an autosomal DNA kit.

However, thanks to its “Founding Populations” project, MyHeritage now has a more comprehensive database of ethnic origins than Ancestry DNA. As a result, scientists are able to provide you with more reliable and accurate results on the ethnic origin of your ancestry. What’s more, access to MyHeritage DNA’s genealogy archives is free of charge.

Myheritage vs 23andme

Like FamilyTree DNA, 23andMe offers all 3 types of DNA testing (yDNA mtDNA and autosomal). However, compared to MyHeritage DNA, the results offered by 23andme are less precise on ethnic origins.

Contrary to MyHeritage, 23andMe offers no access to genealogical archives. It is therefore not possible to search for historical data that could help you understand your family history in order to accurately complete your family tree.