AncestryDNA One Million People Tested

The fact that 23andMe had achieved over 1,000,000 DNA test results 2 months earlier than did AncestryDNA should not diminish the significance of AncestryDNA's feat. It took approximately 18 months for 23andMe to grow their database of DNA test results from 500,000 to 1,000,000, while it has taken AncestryDNA only about 10 months to do the same thing. This means that AncestryDNA's database is growing far faster than 23andMe. In fact, AncestryDNA claim about 150,000 new DNA test results per quarter, while (by my calculation), 23andMe is probably handling somewhere in the vicinity of 60,000 (and at best, probably around 75,000) DNA tests in the same time-frame.

The good news in all of this is that between AncestryDNA and 23andMe, nearly 250,000 new genealogical DNA tests are being performed every 3 months! This means many more chances to find relatives, and more accurate tools to use in your research.

DNA test results and be used to focus your research in the right direction, and to confirm the research that you have done. In many cases, the DNA results may also disprove the research that you have done. While disappointing, these negative results will only serve to fine-tune your research and provide you with the opportunity to build a more accurate family tree.

If you are one of the 1,000,000 people who have had their DNA tested by AncestryDNA, I highly recommend that you also have your DNA tested with 23andMe. Casting a wider net will yield greater results.

If you are struggling to make sense (or to make effective use of your DNA results), or if you simply don't have the time or energy to learn all of the ins and outs of genealogical research, let Ancestors & Cousins lend a hand. With extensive experience in working with DNA test results and in building complex genealogies, Ancestors & Cousins can uncover mysteries and make connections that you may miss on your own.