I have a somewhat different experience than you.
I have not experienced "the contact rate among Ancestry DNA (atDNA) members is low
and dropping". I am administering 4 kits in my family and have ~1200 shared ancestor
hints, where I have checked the other kit owner's line. I am seeing considerably more
matches per unit of time today than 3 years ago, because many more people are being tested
at ancestry. Also, I am contacted by other researchers much more frequently than 3 years
ago.
Y-DNA versus atDNA is not an either/or situation - both should be used.
BTW, earlier this week, ancestry completed an investment in more accurate reporting of
atDNA matches. I am surprised that anyone thinks this is a secondary function at
ancestry.
My point was not to debate this, because neither of us will change the other's
opinion. I was simply making a point that not everyone agrees with you.
-----Original Message-----
From: John R Carpenter [mailto:jrcrin001@cox.net]
Sent: Friday, May 6, 2016 12:31 PM
To: Ron Carroll; carpenter(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: atDNA focus?
Ron,
Each type of DNA test has their primary function and some have a secondary purpose. When a
secondary seems to override the primary, that does become debatable.
Ancestry.com started out with mtDNA, Y-DNA and later added atDNA tests. They have since
ditched the former two and focused on the most profitable atDNA.
They sell more atDNA kits than the competitors combined.
Ancestry.com DNA commercials and other DNA advertising does not focus on connecting
genealogy but on ethnic origins. They have realized they sell more Ancestry DNA Kits with
that specific advertising than any other approach. The secondary function of the test has
become the primary sales tool.
One side effect is that the contact rate among Ancestry DNA (atDNA) members is low and
dropping. Why? Because one needs a decent genealogy to compare to a matching decent
genealogy to confirm the paper trail to any cousin found. The great majority of Ancestry
DNA members can not do this and they find it frustrating when they try. Mostly it is a
lack of understanding and education. Projects at Ancestry are not supported. NOTE: the
data can be transferred to
FTDNA.com in some cases.
GEDmatch came about for more serious genetic genealogists to share atDNA tested at various
DNA companies. It is similar, but much more advanced, than the old neglected YSearch and
MSearch for Y-DNA and mtDNA respectively.
By the way, 23andMe focuses their atDNA test on medical genealogy. Ethnic ancestry is
secondary. No projects supported. This is a slight adjustment to what I implied on them.
National Geographic Genographic focuses their atDNA test on population genetics. You pay
more to support free testing. Most people support this cause and like the general ethnic
ancestry results where the professionals focus on the population genetics - another term
for the details behind ethnic ancestry. The primary purpose for both is not genealogy.
Those interested in genealogy have the option of transferring their atDNA to
FTDNA.com
where genealogy is still primary.
The Family Tree DNA atDNA test (Family Finder) focuses on genealogy and matching. It has
the highest contact response rates. Secondary is ethnic ancestry. Projects are
supported.
See more at:
http://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_testing_comparison_chart
On the Autosomal DNA testing comparison chart cited above is a section
called:
Overall accuracy and sophistication of the biogeographical ancestry analysis rated on a
1-10 scale with 10 being excellent and 1 being poor <Wow, what a mouthful!>
Ethnic Ancestry is biogeographical ancestry.
Ancestry.com has the highest rating (7) and
gives the most detailed Ancestry Composition. And the option of seeing results for
conservative, standard, and speculative ethnic ancestry. Again, more focus showing the
secondary purpose as primary.
In summary of the four companies mentioned above, two are clearly focused on the secondary
ethnic ancestry, one on medical and the last on genealogy.
Based on this, I stand by my statement that "Most people use these tests to see their
ethnic heritages."
You can do genetic triangulation with atDNA, but it is more difficult than with Y-DNA. And
it has more limitations and only goes back to about 6 generations at best.
For surname research, Y-DNA is the best type of DNA test. This is why the Carpenter
Cousins Y-DNA Project is focused specifically on the type of DNA.
John R. Carpenter
La Mesa, CA USA
Carpenter Cousins Project
http://carpentercousins.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Carroll
Sent: Friday, May 06, 2016 7:32 AM
To: 'John R Carpenter' ; carpenter(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: RE: [CARPENTER] FTDNA sale & which type of DNA test is best?
This is a good summary, but regarding autosomal DNA, "Most people use these tests to
see their ethnic heritages" is certainly debatable. Ancestry DNA claims to have 1.5
million atDNA test results, and my observation is that genealogy is the primary reason.
Also, many people are using GEDmatch to supplement their genealogy research.
<SNIP>
...
Autosomal DNA Tests
Ancestry and 23andMe focus on autosomal DNA (atDNA) FTDNA has a similar test called
Family Finder. Most people use these tests to see their ethnic heritages. So much
European, so much Middle Eastern, et cetera.
Some use it to DNA fragments in comparison to others for cousin similarity. 23andMe
also uses atDNA type testing for medical genetic warning type tests as for Cystic
Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia, Hereditary Hearing Loss and et cetera.
To see the differences between these atDNA testing companies, please go to the
following link.
http://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_testing_comparison_chart
For many groups they have a recognizable common ancestor. For Group 2 (of the
Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project) it is the immigrant William Carpenter b. abt 1610 in
England. With triangulation we have re-created his genetic profile or fingerprint. The
same for Group 3 and a few other groups.
...