What Happens When You Upload Dna To Another Site

This post has been updated.

AncestryDNA has, by far, the largest commercial database of autosomal Deoxyribonucleic acid testers in the globe, larger than all of the other genealogical databases combined. This graph says it all:

As of this writing, their corporate page says they have "near 10 1000000 people in the AncestryDNA database", and I suspect they've already cleaved that threshold. For that reason, AncestryDNA is, hands down, the first place to get-go if you're new to Deoxyribonucleic acid testing and interested in genealogy.

Simply, it's not the last.

Because each of the DNA testing companies has its own set of customers, you will have Dna cousins at, say, 23andMe who oasis't tested at AncestryDNA, and vice versa. In fact, I recently broke downward a brick wall on my Larkin line using 3 DNA matches at 23andMe who haven't tested anywhere else. Also, I have key matches at MyHeritage and Family unit Tree Deoxyribonucleic acid who accept only tested at those companies. If I were not in those databases myself, I would never accept found them.

Paying for DNA tests at multiple companies adds upwards quickly. Fortunately, you lot don't accept to! The smaller companies are actively trying to grow their databases by accepting data from their competitors … for free! That means y'all can pay for a single test at AncestryDNA and copy the results to MyHeritage, Family Tree DNA, and Living DNA at no additional cost. This so-called transfer procedure won't remove your Dna information (sometimes chosen a "kit") from AncestryDNA, information technology'll simply add it to the other databases.

Unfortunately, If you desire to exist in 23andMe's matching database, you'll take to buy a test through them. They practice non accept transfers from other companies to notice Deoxyribonucleic acid relatives.

AncestryDNA isn't the but source of data the smaller companies will have; they will also take data from one another. Click here for a summary of which DNA data transfers are possible. But by the bang-for-your-buck metric, testing at AncestryDNA commencement is the best way to get.

How to Download Your Data from AncestryDNA

The first step in a data transfer is to copy your "raw data file" to your personal estimator. (If you're working on a public computer, similar at a library, make sure to delete the files from the hard drive when yous're washed.) That file contains the actual DNA data-the As, Cs, Gs, and Ts-for roughly 700,000 spots in your genome.

To do this, log into your Ancestry.com account, click on the DNA tab at the elevation of the page, then click the Settings push button at the top correct.

On the next page, you will see an "Actions" panel at the meridian right. Click the push button to "Download Raw Deoxyribonucleic acid Data". (Do not click the button below that one! Information technology will delete your data.)

You will get a popular-upward form. Enter your password, click the check box to acknowledge that a file stored on your computer is no longer protected by AncestryDNA, and click the orangish "Confirm" button.

As an added security measure out, AncestryDNA will send you an email with a link to download your data. When the email arrives, click the light-green button to "Confirm Data Download".

This link will accept you back to AncestryDNA'south spider web page, where you can at present click the "Download DNA Raw Data" button to re-create the data file to your computer. This will non remove your data from AncestryDNA.

The file will probably exist saved in your "Downloads" folder (unless you've told your internet browser to salve things somewhere else.) It volition exist chosen "dna-data-YYYY-MM-DD.zilch", where YYYY-MM-DD represents the appointment of the download. The "null" ending ways that the file is in a compacted course. Do not unzip it.

TIP: As a privacy precaution, the file will not have whatsoever identifying information in either its name or its contents. If y'all're planning to do transfers for multiple people, do all of them for one person earlier starting on the next person to avoid mixing up the files.

Transfer Your Raw Data File to MyHeritage

The first place yous will want to transfer your information is to MyHeritage. They have the largest database of the companies that have transfer data – the biggest of the smallest, then to speak. To offset the transfer, click here.

On the page that loads, click the fuchsia "Starting time" button.

The next folio will guide you through setting upwards a gratuitous account with MyHeritage. Exist sure to read the Service Terms and Privacy Policy. They are mandatory. If you don't agree to them, practice non keep with the upload. If you do agree, make full in the grade and click the fuchsia "Get" push.

Now, you lot will be asked to specify whose Dna yous are uploading, to confirm that you have the Service Terms (again!), and to decide whether to accept the Informed Consent Agreement (for research). The Informed Consent is optional; again, please read them and decide whether you wish to contribute to their research program or not.

If you are uploading DNA information for someone else, yous will also be asked to confirm that you accept that person'due south permission. Obviously, we would not want to upload DNA information for anyone confronting their wishes.

Finally, click the fuchsia "Upload" button. Navigate to the location on your computer where the AncestryDNA file was saved, select it, click "Open", and wait for the data to upload. Once the file is safely transferred to MyHeritage, click "Done". It will take a few days before you are fully integrated into their system and have DNA matches.

TIP: At MyHeritage, you tin upload Dna kits for multiple people into the same account, then yous exercise not take to log out then log back in to work with the DNA matches for multiple family members.

Transfer Your Raw Data File to Family Tree DNA

Be aware that the default setting for uploads (and original tests) at Family Tree DNA is to be exposed to law enforcement searches. The company has its own "investigative genetic genealogy" division.

Some other place to upload your AncestryDNA data for more than potential matches is Family Tree Deoxyribonucleic acid. From the main page, hover your cursor over "DNA Tests" at the acme left, then select "Autosomal Transfer".

On the next page fill in the form with your proper name and email address to prepare upward a complimentary account. Exist certain to read the Terms of Service. Practise not upload your information if you do not agree to them.

(If you already have an FTDNA account from prior yDNA or mtDNA testing, click the ruby-red text beneath the Join TODAY! button. Yous volition be asked to log into your account and so you lot can upload the AncestryDNA information into it. If yous've washed the Family unit Finder examination with FTDNA, there is no need to transfer the AncestryDNA file there.)

On the side by side page, click the rectangle that says "23andMe/AncestryDNA".

Now, drag-and-drop your AncestryDNA file into the field that appears, or click the red text saying "browse file" to detect it on your difficult drive. Click the "SUBMIT" push button when it turns red.

While you're waiting for the file to upload, limber upwards your clicking finger, because you lot're going to need it. When it's washed, yous'll become a message with your "kit number" and a notice that your countersign will be emailed to you.

Click the orangish "Get TO MYFTDNA" button.
On the next page, confirm your e-mail address, and click the orange "Confirm and Proceed" push.
Read the Terms of Service and Privacy Argument, and, if you agree, bank check the box and click the orange "Confirm and Continue" button.
Read the "Consent to Participate in Matching" and, if yous agree, check the box and click the orangish "Consummate and Go on to Dashboard" push button.

If you consented to matching, you lot should exist able to access your match list within 24 hours (usually much faster).

Annotation: Each new data file uploaded to FTDNA volition be in a separate business relationship with its ain login data. You tin can use the aforementioned e-mail accost for multiple accounts.

TIP: If you get an error with the upload, use this free online application to convert your AncestryDNA raw data file into a format FTDNA can read, and then upload the resulting file instead of the one you downloaded from AncestryDNA:
http://www.mapmy23.com/tools/ancestry_ftdna_fix.php

Transfer Your Raw Information File to Living DNA

Living DNA is the newest entry into the market. People who transfer data into their database volition have access to Dna matching when information technology is introduced in tardily summer, 2018, but non to the Living DNA ethnicity estimates. Their data will be used as part of their One Family Ane Earth initiative to build a global family tree and to improve Living Dna'south ethnicity estimates.

To transfer into the Living DNA database, click here and fill out the "Your details" grade.

Yous will then exist asked to fill in information about your parents and grandparents. Here's an example:

You will have the option to upload a gedcom if you desire.

Nether Research Projection agreement, check the advisable box. As ever, read the terms and conditions get-go, and practise not keep with the upload if you do not agree.

Click "Submit your application". In a bit of eastward-mail overkill, Living DNA volition offset email y'all a link to confirm your electronic mail address, then, one time y'all've washed that, a second email with instructions on how to upload the data.

Log into your account at Living DNA and click the bluish "Upload Data" button. On the side by side page, click the small "Choose File" button almost the bottom, navigate to the data file on your estimator, select it, then click "Upload File".

Y'all won't be able to do annihilation with the uploaded data until matching becomes bachelor in August 2018, and then cheque back so. For now, consider it one more than tasks scratched off your list!

TIP: At Living DNA, you can upload DNA kits for multiple people into the same account, so you do not have to log out then log back in to work with the DNA matches for multiple family members. When you lot enroll a new person into the Ane Family One Earth projection, only utilize the email address for the account you already have.

Transfer Your Raw Data File to GEDmatch

Delight read this post before you transfer to GEDmatch. The default setting for new uploads to GEDmatch is to be exposed to law enforcement investigations. GEDmatch was purchased in December 2019 by Verogen, a visitor that makes equipment and supplies for law enforcement laboratories.

GEDmatch is a 3rd-party site that functions like a mutual meeting ground for genetic genealogy. They accept data from the testing companies, and have some tools that none of the other sites offer. There are fewer privacy protections at GEDmatch than elsewhere, and Us police enforcement uses the database for criminal investigations, then if those facts are a concern for y'all, GEDmatch may not be right for you. In that location is a way to "hide" your information at GEDmatch for privacy. I'll explain how to do that below.

To create an account at GEDmatch, click here, fill up out the User Registration form, then click "Annals".

You volition receive an e-mail with a registration confirmation lawmaking. Enter that code into the confirmation folio at GEDmatch.

Read through the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, so at the bottom of the folio, indicate whether you accept or decline the terms. If you take them, y'all will be taken to the main page at GEDmatch.

Find the section chosen "Upload your DNA files" in the right-mitt column and click the link for "Generic Uploads (23andme, FTDNA, AncestryDNA, most others".

On the next page, make full out the first half dozen fields with (ane) the proper name of the person who tested, (ii) an optional allonym to be shown to DNA matches instead of their existent proper noun, (3) the tester's sex, (4) the mitochondrial haplogroup (optional), (v) the Y haplogroup (optional), (6) and the original testing company (i.e., Ancestry). If you don't requite an alias, the tester's real proper noun will show to their matches. You tin leave the haplogroup fields bare.

In the adjacent section, betoken whose DNA data you are uploading. For most people reading these instructions, the kit volition be your own, so you would select the first pick. The other choices are cocky explanatory. Yous must make a pick to continue the upload process.

In the next section, specify who will be able to see the kit. Note that the default setting, "Opt-in", exposes the tester to law enforcement investigations. I recommend considering both the pros and cons before selecting this option. "Opt-out" lets other matches in the system see the kit, with the exception of kits that are part of law-enforcement investigations. "Research" kits can see their matches but their matches can't see them, like a one-style mirror. (This is the setting police force enforcement uses.) And "Private" kits are not role of the matching organisation at all. Apply this pick if you just desire to use tools, like Are Your Parents Related?, and don't want to participate in relative matching at all.

Finally, at the bottom, click the "Choose file" button to navigate to the AncestryDNA file stored on your computer, select it, so click the "Upload" push button. Expect for the upload to complete, at which point y'all will be assigned a 9-graphic symbol "kit number". Some of the tools at GEDmatch will be useable inside xx minutes or so. Matching should be available within 24 hours.

To update information almost a kit or the privacy settings, become to the main page at GEDmatch. Yous should see your kit number(s) listed in the left-hand column nether the header "Deoxyribonucleic acid Resources". Click the yellow pencil icon beside the kit you'd like to edit. The next page lets you edit or add information, for case if y'all take since learned your haplogroup(s), and change the privacy settings.

You can even delete the kit entirely or transfer control to another GEDmatch user using the three tabs near the top of the page.

TIP: At GEDmatch, you tin upload Deoxyribonucleic acid kits for multiple people into the aforementioned business relationship, so you do not have to log out then log back in to piece of work with the DNA matches for multiple family members. Of class, ethics require that you take explicit, informed consent from each tester to upload their data, regardless of who paid for the test.

You're Done!

Congratulations! If yous've washed ane or more of these uploads, you will soon have admission to new DNA matches for free! Happy genealogizing. (Is that a word?!?)

Updates to this Postal service

14 Jun 2018 – updated to clarify that a transfer does not delete your DNA data from the original testing company and to add instructions for making a kit "research" at GEDmatch

13 May 2019 – added link to Judy G. Russell'southward post to the department on GEDmatch

10 February 2020 – updated the instructions for GEDmatch