I’ve always been curious about my family history. From back when I was in grade school, I’ve loved looking at family trees and trying to figure out exactly where I came from. While my parents both had some idea of my background, when I asked about my ethnic background I received basic responses like “Your grandma was Pennsylvania Dutch” or “Your great-great-grandpa had some Cherokee in him”. Since my family is not extremely large and I only have my mother, grandmother, brother and children still living who are directly related to me by blood, I’ve wanted to know more about where I come from for some time now. While I knew that finding out my history wouldn’t really change anything, I knew it would be interesting to know more personally as well as to be able to share with my children more of my background and where I come from. That’s why when MyHeritage DNA Testing became available, I was intrigued. With their simple process and confidential results, I was able to learn more about where I come from, possible relatives and more.
While all of us basically have some idea of the ethnicities that are in our background, with changing technology it’s now easier than ever to get basic DNA Testing done that allows us to see the genetics that we are made up of. While this ability is becoming more readily available for curious consumers like myself, let me say that not all DNA Testing is the same. For me, it was important that I had a quick and easy way to submit my DNA that offered privacy and secure results. That’s where MyHeritage DNA Testing came in. As the leading global destination for family history and DNA testing, MyHeritage offers more than simple results. They offer a global user community that boasts a massive library of historical records and the most internationally diverse collection of family trees and groundbreaking search and matching technologies. With DNA matches that provide lists of people who are likely related to you based on your shared DNA and ethnicity estimates that show what portion of your DNA are estimated to originate from each of MyHeritage’s 42 supported ethnicities, this easy DNA testing is the best quick and easy test option to help you discover where you came from. I recently tried it out myself and I wanted to share with you not only how easy to use MyHeritage DNA Testing is but how interesting the results are.
How to Use MyHeritage DNA Testing
When I say DNA testing, chances are you’re thinking of invasive tests that have to be performed at a lab. Well, that couldn’t be further from how MyHeritage DNA Testing works. Instead, MyHeritage offers a secure option that makes DNA testing easy from the convenience of your own home. The DNA test kit comes in a beautiful, premium package that has everything you need to collect and securely submit your DNA for testing.
Once I opened the DNA testing kit, I was greeted with instructions, a serial number to activate my sample (more on that later), two cheek swabs, 2 vials to put my sample in, a clea plastic bag to place my prepared vials in and a self addressed envelope to securely send my samples into the lab.
After laying out my supplies and reading the easy-to-follow instructions carefully, I was ready to begin my DNA testing with the MyHeritage DNA Testing Kit.
Following the instructions provided, I used the swabs the collect DNA from the inside of both of my cheeks. The process was quick, easy and painless and once I had collected the samples, I was able to place them in the waiting containers, seal them up and place them in the secure envelope to send them off to the lab.
Now, remember that serial number I talked about earlier? I set up an account and entered the serial number in the MyHeritage website prior to mailing off my DNA sample to let them know that my sample was on the way. Then, I received emails letting me know when my sample was received, how the process works and when my DNA results were ready (turn around time is generally 3-4 weeks).
What I Learned from MyHeritage DNA Testing
Once my DNA results were available, I was emailed a secure link that I could click on. After signing in using the login information I created when entering my serial number, I had instant access to my ethnicity estimate and DNA matches.
Of course the minute my results arrived, I sat down with the kids who were just as curious as I was to find out where I come from and if we possibly have relatives we are unaware of. I wasn’t surprised by the largest result from my DNA testing which revealed that I’m almost 90% North and West European. I wasn’t even surprised by the fact that I have a little over 4% of Irish, Scottish and Welsh in me. But what did surprise me as that I’m a little over 7% Iberian. Of course this sent the kids and I running to the internet to learn more about what that Iberian heritage could mean and I’ll be honest, we had quite a bit of fun researchign it! But the information we were able to access didn’t stop there because MyHeritage isn’t just a DNA service! It’s also a platform that provides a plethera of family history research, including many tools such as family tree building, billions of international historical records, fascinating discoveries about possible ancestors and more! That means that discovering your ethnicity estimates is just the start of what you can learn about your history on MyHeritage!
After learning about my ethnicity estimates and what they meant, we scrolled through possible relatives and while we haven’t done anything with the information yet, we’re wanting to look more into these matches and see if there are possible relatives out there that we knew nothing about.
For me, it’s been so nice to give my children a clearer idea of where they come from and now I can’t wait to have my husband complete the MyHeritage DNA testing as well to give them a more accurate background of where they come from and allow them to start building their own family tree. Not only has this testing sparked conversations and research but it’s also given me tons of information on who I am, where I come from and all the possible relatives that are out in the world that I knew nothing about (based on similarities between their DNA and mine).
Now, it’s your turn! If you’ve ever wondered what your ethnic history is or if there are possibly relatives you know nothing about, it’s time to discover MyHeritage DNA Testing and take advantage of the leading technology that MyHeritage uses to offer the most affordable price of all leading DNA companies.
To get started with your own MyHeritage DNA testing today using this completely private and secure service, click here to order and use code BABBLEBOXX2 for free shipping.
Want to win a MyHeritage DNA kit? Enter for your chance below!
Then tell me, why would you like to know more about your family history and what do you hope to discover using MyHeritage DNA Testing?
I did the MyHeritage DNA testing a few months ago and I was surprised when I received my results. I thought I was more Irish than I actually am. It was fun to do and so easy.
Alli Smith recently posted…Coconut Carrot Salad And Meatless Monday Cookout
I want to try this out! We’ve had some family members do this, and it’s so neat to see the results. It appears a lot of my family is from Germany and Scotland.
Amber Myers recently posted…Reasons Why Photographs Matter + An 11X14 Canvas Print Giveaway
Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I hope I win. I’ve always wanted to try a service like this. It would be fun to share the results with my family.
Tasheena recently posted…Why Moms Need a Bedtime Routine
That’s really cool! I have thought about doing that because there are questions about my families heritage.
What fun!! My mom did her heritage a few months back and we were so surprised to see we weren’t what my great – great grandmother had told us for years. I would like to do one for myself to see from my dads side of the family.
That’s what was so cool about this experience for me – my parents gave me generalizations but my results didn’t really show those. It was definitely interesting!
I haven’t heard of this DNA service. I’ve done another popular test and it was great to learn more about where I came from.
I love these DNA tests but typically they have disclaimers I don’t like which prevents me from doing them. I’d love to know my background though!
I’d definitely recommend looking into MyHeritage and emailing with any questions regarding disclaimers. In my experience they were extremely helpful and easy to work with.
My husband has been wanting to do this. I am always skeptical with what companies do with the test matter and the results after sending them to the customer.
From my understanding, the test matter is destroyed after testing.It’s such a small sample that I doubt much more than one test can be done with it. As for the results, that was what I really loved! They were not mailed to me and sent on paper which always worries me. I have a secure login to see my results. Overall, I was really impressed with the detail to privacy that was taken.
My husband really wants to try one of these DNA kits. He knows he has Italian and French Canadian relatives but he really does not know what else.
sara recently posted…VIR ticket giveaway to Virginia International Raceway Grand Prix
I don’t know if have the curiosity to really know. I’m sure it would be neat to find out for sure, but after I find out, what do I do with that info? Maybe I’ll get curious enough to try it out in a few years.
Wow, I used to think that having a DNA testing kit only exists in movies. Now it can be conveniently used at home.
I could sure use this to figure out where my grandmothers bloodline comes from. The one picture I have looks like the could be native maybe German? Going to look into this.
That is pretty awesome! I think it’s a fun experience and you get to learn more about your ancestry as well. The process is simple and easy to understand and do on your own.
This is so neat to do because the kids will get educated of their heritage. I would like to try this.
So neat! Seems really easy to do and love that the results are seen on your phone.
WOW! This is simply awesome. I am so astounded by how far we have come and how easy it is now to trace our heritage back. Love this!
I would love to do this! While I think I know where our family is from, I would love definite proof of everything.
Heather recently posted…Why My Teenager Can’t Stop Smiling
Wow, this is so cool! I think I have seen this already before and I just didn’t explore it. Definitely a great way to trace your family roots.