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Guide to DNA Testing: How to Identify Ancestors, Confirm Relationships, and Measure Ethnic Ancestry through DNA Testing
The price of some powerful new genetic genealogy tests has dropped below $100. Genealogists and adoptees are using them and other DNA tests to identify ancestors, confirm relationships, and measure their ethnicity.
Unfortunately, there are many similar sounding tests and some of them have different testing levels. So it’s easy to order the wrong test or pay too much.
This Guide to DNA Testing provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the different test types, their strengths and limitations.
Author and adoptee, Richard Hill, shared his personal success story in his book, "Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA.”
Now he boils down the basics of genetic genealogy into this concise summary. Learn which tests are right for you. Hyperlinks to specific tests and resources are included.
Unfortunately, there are many similar sounding tests and some of them have different testing levels. So it’s easy to order the wrong test or pay too much.
This Guide to DNA Testing provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the different test types, their strengths and limitations.
Author and adoptee, Richard Hill, shared his personal success story in his book, "Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA.”
Now he boils down the basics of genetic genealogy into this concise summary. Learn which tests are right for you. Hyperlinks to specific tests and resources are included.
- GenresReferenceNonfiction
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 15, 2015
Perfectly Written
This guide is beautifully- and clearly-written. I am fascinated by DNA testing and its uses in genealogy.
I'll sadly admit that while almost obsessively-driven to acquire a better understanding of how DNA and ancestry works, since high school -- where my eyes first glazed over after an introduction to the Punnett square -- I cannot force my brain to grasp all this "inherited genes" and related info.
After reading Mr. Hill's Guide, however, I have a much firmer grasp on some of these baffling DNA-related concepts. Fortunately, I now have this Guide handy at all times for reference if I have a specific question.
The more I read and begin to understand about DNA and its use in genealogy, the less hopeful I am about breaking past my own personal brick wall; that being my father's paternal line. My father was an only child and I have no brothers, so my surname dies with my sister and me. However, after recently receiving my Ancestry.com DNA results, there are faint glimmers of hope -- hope that indicates I may break through that wall in the next decade or so, as the DNA database grows exponentially, parallel to the family trees in databases such as that of Ancestry.com.
I have just purchased Mr. Hill's autobio "Finding Family", and based on the reviews, I'm confident I'll find it compelling.
This guide is beautifully- and clearly-written. I am fascinated by DNA testing and its uses in genealogy.
I'll sadly admit that while almost obsessively-driven to acquire a better understanding of how DNA and ancestry works, since high school -- where my eyes first glazed over after an introduction to the Punnett square -- I cannot force my brain to grasp all this "inherited genes" and related info.
After reading Mr. Hill's Guide, however, I have a much firmer grasp on some of these baffling DNA-related concepts. Fortunately, I now have this Guide handy at all times for reference if I have a specific question.
The more I read and begin to understand about DNA and its use in genealogy, the less hopeful I am about breaking past my own personal brick wall; that being my father's paternal line. My father was an only child and I have no brothers, so my surname dies with my sister and me. However, after recently receiving my Ancestry.com DNA results, there are faint glimmers of hope -- hope that indicates I may break through that wall in the next decade or so, as the DNA database grows exponentially, parallel to the family trees in databases such as that of Ancestry.com.
I have just purchased Mr. Hill's autobio "Finding Family", and based on the reviews, I'm confident I'll find it compelling.
July 11, 2020
This is strictly a guide to DNA testing companies, and not a how-to on genetic genealogy techniques as I thought, based on the title. Part of the title is absolutely misleading: "How to Identify Ancestors, Confirm Relationships, and Measure Ethnic Ancestry through DNA Testing". It contains good info if you are trying to decide which company to test with, and that is pretty much all. It is a quick read. If you are looking for a book on genetic genealogy techniques to learn how to use the results you get from your DNA test, you will need to look elsewhere.
August 11, 2018
Fast, straight forward explanation of human DNA discovery review & comparison options for genealogy health history etc. For many, a good review & reprompt. Includes advice as to several DNA collecting & testing groups.
See. above
Wrote the review in the above section. Fast informative worthwhile, also for ready reference. Good for ages to junior high school & all laymen.
See. above
Wrote the review in the above section. Fast informative worthwhile, also for ready reference. Good for ages to junior high school & all laymen.
December 11, 2020
This was a great book. I am an adult adoptee and so much of Mr. Hill’s story is similar to mine. The amount of work he put in on his search has paved the way for adoptees everywhere. I’m new to genetic genealogy and I learned a lot of good information that will help me continue my search. I recommend this book for adoptees and others who may be looking for answers.
July 26, 2017
Quick easy read to get you started on the DNA Roadtrip.
I am a beginner and needed a non-scientific lesson. This was that lesson. I do have a cousin, son of my fathers brother who I will have to ask questions about paternal line.
I am a beginner and needed a non-scientific lesson. This was that lesson. I do have a cousin, son of my fathers brother who I will have to ask questions about paternal line.
November 16, 2017
Useful guide
This guide will help you know where to go to find appropriate DNA testing for genealogy related questions without getting bogged down in the science behind the testing. If your interest in DNA testing goes beyond genealogy, you will want more resources.
This guide will help you know where to go to find appropriate DNA testing for genealogy related questions without getting bogged down in the science behind the testing. If your interest in DNA testing goes beyond genealogy, you will want more resources.
February 20, 2018
The book provides a brief and concise explanation of the 3 basic types of DNA tests available, with explanations about the myriad variations offered by the various firms. He likewise relates the testing to its value in terms of information about your origins or as a tool to identify and verify relatives.
A good overview when trying to decide whether to do DNA testing, and which one to choose.
A good overview when trying to decide whether to do DNA testing, and which one to choose.
December 11, 2018
Good basics
This includes details of tests and testing strategies for searching your family trees. Looking for details will be easier with this guidance. Learning the how behind the tests will assist in your approach to locating relatives and ancestors.
This includes details of tests and testing strategies for searching your family trees. Looking for details will be easier with this guidance. Learning the how behind the tests will assist in your approach to locating relatives and ancestors.
May 26, 2019
Great intro to DNA testing for Geneaolgy
I liked the straight forward approach of the book. It is a great book for those in a beginner to intermediate level of DNA greanolgy testing inowledge. It has great links. As in all of Mr. Hill’s books, the pace and writing is excellent.
I liked the straight forward approach of the book. It is a great book for those in a beginner to intermediate level of DNA greanolgy testing inowledge. It has great links. As in all of Mr. Hill’s books, the pace and writing is excellent.
November 17, 2021
Informative
Short but parked with information. Gives a excellent overview of DNA testing giving a good basic understanding of it. Includes multiple links to further our knowledge of DNA
Short but parked with information. Gives a excellent overview of DNA testing giving a good basic understanding of it. Includes multiple links to further our knowledge of DNA
July 30, 2017
An easy to read guide to the different kinds of DNA testing, the best companies and their pros and cons, and helping to prioritize based on what you hope to achieve.
November 29, 2017
This book helped me decide to have my own DNA checked. I was so surprised how good the information was in this book. Would recommend it.
December 26, 2017
A must if you are thinking about testing.
This book is a quick read. It is straight forward and uses terms anybody will understand. Better than some lectures I have attended.
This book is a quick read. It is straight forward and uses terms anybody will understand. Better than some lectures I have attended.
December 29, 2017
DNA
Thanks for this information. I am on Ancestry and often wondered what test I should get. You explained DNA testing to where I understand it.
Thanks for this information. I am on Ancestry and often wondered what test I should get. You explained DNA testing to where I understand it.
January 25, 2018
dNA testing
This book was really helpful in answering my questions on DNA testing. Will refer it over and over I am sure.
This book was really helpful in answering my questions on DNA testing. Will refer it over and over I am sure.
December 29, 2018
Quick read
A good overview of the major testing companies. Great resource for the beginner. Clear and concise, not too much science.
A good overview of the major testing companies. Great resource for the beginner. Clear and concise, not too much science.
December 28, 2020
Very brief, but good overview of DNA testing types, uses, and providers.
December 15, 2014
I have grown chary of genealogy how-tos on Amazon. Too often, poor copy editing has obscured useful insights. Richard Hill's Guide to DNA Testing is a very welcome counterexample: a breezy survey of the current state of DNA testing in genealogy research. Hill, an adoptee who used DNA tests to find his birth father, not only introduces the three types of tests (autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial) and their applications but also reviews the current testing companies.
Although superficial, his explanation of the science is clear enough that the reader can make informed interpretations.
His style is easy and he writes from a user's perspective: this is what I learned during my own searches.
However, the science is developing quickly, and many results depend heavily on sample size, so Version 2.0 will likely be outdated soon enough that the electronic edition is a better purchase than a paper one.
January 2, 2016
I'm trying to clear out books I have had on loan from Kindleunlimited and this was another. I had started reading it a while ago and I never completed it. I started at the beginning and knocked it out in short order. It's tiny! It really is very, very, very basic and mainly promotes 3 different DNA tests based on his knowledge at the time. Something like this may become obsolete quickly.
The only thing I came away with from reading this, was to perhaps have it done through 3 different companies if I ever want to solve my brick wall on my Johnston side. I think I am close but without more known, perhaps male, Johnston relatives of mine doing the DNA, I may be stuck for years.
The only thing I came away with from reading this, was to perhaps have it done through 3 different companies if I ever want to solve my brick wall on my Johnston side. I think I am close but without more known, perhaps male, Johnston relatives of mine doing the DNA, I may be stuck for years.
November 18, 2014
A great overview of DNA testing for the genealogist.
Hill gives a great flyover of the DNA testing landscape. He admits to merely skimming the surface of the medical science, but gives a nontechnical overview of major companies and types of tests available. He also gives ample warning of scams of which to be wary. While this is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject, it is one of the best uses of 99 cents available.
Hill gives a great flyover of the DNA testing landscape. He admits to merely skimming the surface of the medical science, but gives a nontechnical overview of major companies and types of tests available. He also gives ample warning of scams of which to be wary. While this is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject, it is one of the best uses of 99 cents available.
December 22, 2014
Short but very informative look at the use of DNA testing for the purpose of identifying relatives. Without going into a lot of technical detail, the author outlines how DNA is passed down generations, covers three main companies offering genetic tests and suggest which ones should be taken. A plus is that Richard Hill is providing advice from his own experience! This is a useful guide for the genealogist and family researcher.
November 30, 2014
Excellent and clearly readable small book which is concise and enjoyable! I will be recommending this to beginners. Would be 5 stars except that AncestryDNA was not tested or really covered and that would have been helpful.
February 15, 2015
Focused, Helpful Summary of DNA Testing
The DNA testing sites are filled with confusing information mixed with sales pitches. This is a readable,clear, focused book on DNA testing. It should
Be everyone's first start when considering DNA testing.
The DNA testing sites are filled with confusing information mixed with sales pitches. This is a readable,clear, focused book on DNA testing. It should
Be everyone's first start when considering DNA testing.
September 12, 2015
Very informative
This is a very informative book especially if you are new to DNA testing. He explains what each type of test reveals. This book helped me decide which tests would be most beneficial for me and my family members.
This is a very informative book especially if you are new to DNA testing. He explains what each type of test reveals. This book helped me decide which tests would be most beneficial for me and my family members.
February 14, 2016
A great place to start.
I had already done most of the recommended tests but I was unable to understand many things that the results referred to. This book certainly answered .many of those questions but I still wonder about many of the concepts.
I had already done most of the recommended tests but I was unable to understand many things that the results referred to. This book certainly answered .many of those questions but I still wonder about many of the concepts.
January 27, 2016
Great Information
Short book but very informative If you want to know why to check DNA and how. Includes prices and who to use.
Short book but very informative If you want to know why to check DNA and how. Includes prices and who to use.
March 31, 2016
Great info on which DNA tests to do if need be.
November 24, 2016
Helpful, but rather basic. Also, very short.
Didn't get very detailed. It was a rather short paper. More like a high school report. But still had some helpful information.
Didn't get very detailed. It was a rather short paper. More like a high school report. But still had some helpful information.
March 15, 2020
My 3-star rating perhaps is unfair considering by the time I read this book, I was (am) a fairly advanced amateur genetic genealogist. I do recommend the book, however, for the beginner in the field.
April 29, 2017
Excellent basic information
If you know nothing about DNA testing then this is the best introduction.
Go get your DNA testing done now.
If you know nothing about DNA testing then this is the best introduction.
Go get your DNA testing done now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews