Intrigued By Ancestry Kits?

Here’s the low-down if you want to track down distant relatives or discover your genetic make-up

- Rachel Ogden

There are lots of ancestry kits, or DNA tests, at fairly affordable prices. All it takes is mouth swab or saliva to find out a wealth of information in weeks – but which one is right for you?

What type of DNA test can I take?

Most of the kits available offer autosomal DNA tests. This looks at the segments of DNA you share with your relatives. On its own this information can’t tell you that much – the value comes from comparing it with other people in a database. This will show you who your relatives are (though not which side of the family they came from), your ethnic mix, and common genetic traits.

DNA kits may also provide details on extended ancestry using mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria are passed from mothers to their children, meaning both men and women can take this test but it will only trace your maternal line. The same kit offers Y-DNA testing, which traces the paternal line. This test can only be taken by men as women don’t have Y chromosomes – however, a brother, father or paternal uncle could take the Y-DNA test.