DNA Painter  https://dnapainter.com/

One of our favourite sites to examine DNA matches and work out possible relationships between matches. If you have a single DNA test, you can try out the profile for free. 

However, there are many additional options and features available to you with the paid version of this program. Certainly worth trying out for a year and especially useful if you are analysing multiple kits as you can have a profile for each kit. 

A very informative video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyjcJxywTZI

GEDMATCH  https://www.gedmatch.com/

If you wish to compare results with other matches and family members who have tested with various DNA testing companies, Gedmatch is a useful option to gain more detail and make use of the additional Tier 1 tools on a monthly basis.

Which DNA test is right for my research?

As there are several major testing companies, each has a different database of DNA and your situation may require you to test with more than one company to research your family.

There are 3 major types of DNA test you can do - 

• Autosomal DNA ( males and females) 

• Y DNA ( males only) 

• mtDNA ( mitochondrial DNA) - male and female can test

We suggest you begin with an Autosomal DNA test and if you can attend one of our DNA Discuss sessions before you test, you may find useful tips as to who to test as a priority.

We use and recommend FTDNA and we have kits available for you to purchase online.  FTDNA offers all three tests as an add on option if you wish to research in more detail.

FTDNA also has many project groups which research surnames, places and ethnicity groups  which you can join if you have Ftdna data.

Tests are also available with Ancestry.com - 23andme - My Heritage and Living DNA; look out for specials!