Each year I look for gift ideas for genealogists, and in particular those working with genetic genealogy. I’m publishing one article a week during the month of December and the great news is that you can shop right from home. No need to go anyplace.
I’m only featuring products that I use because there is so much out there today that’s downright scammy. You’re safe with these.
You’ll notice I’m including small businesses, many of whom depend heavily on genealogy conferences. Obviously, conferences aren’t in-person this year and I’m trying to support those folks and do my part to keep them in business until we can all meet again and greet each other with big hugs. How I long for that day!
These items are great gifts to give, to send to someone as a hint for yourself, or to even buy for yourself. Hey, it’s been a tough year. You’re deserving. I’m buying a t-shirt from BlingGenealogy and upgrading some DNA tests.
Some of these products are affiliate links and others are not. If there is an affiliate linked item, I always appreciate the click-through. I receive a small commission and it doesn’t cost you any more. It’s also how I keep this blog free for everyone.
This week, I’m writing about things from vendors that need to be shipped while there’s still time; DNA kits, of course, and goodies from BlingGenealogy!
DNA Test Sales
DNA kits are the first item because, without DNA tests, none of the rest of genetic genealogy is possible.
I would encourage you to think about which close relatives in your family have not yet tested. The closer, the better, including any upstream relative or their children if they aren’t available for testing. For example, if your uncle or great-uncle is deceased, test as many of his children as possible.
Testing your children won’t help your genealogy, and neither will your siblings if BOTH of your parents have tested. Otherwise, test your siblings too. They inherited DNA from your parents that you didn’t which is every bit as important to your genealogy as your own DNA.
Prices are at a seasonal low right now. If you and your closest relatives are not in every database, there’s no better time.
FamilyTreeDNA
- Family Tree DNA has three different tests and all are on sale:
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- Family Finder autosomal test for $59, click here
- Y DNA (direct paternal, males only) begins at $99, click here
- Mitochondrial full sequence (direct maternal, both sexes) is on sale for $139, click here
You can also purchase upgrades for kits that have already taken one type of test by clicking here to sign on and then viewing the “Add Ons and Upgrades” link at the top of your page.
One thing I noticed this week is that lots of people have taken the Family Finder autosomal test, but not the Y DNA or mitochondrial DNA tests. I was searching for a specific surname line and very few of the men who match in Family Finder had taken a Y DNA test. Please consider those tests as Add Ons. They will help you connect with family members and jump-start your genealogy.
The flip side is true too – if you’ve taken the Y DNA or mitochondrial, but not the Family Finder test. please do!
Everything’s on sale as shown in the chart below.
MyHeritage, Ancestry and 23andMe
Other vendors’ DNA kits are on sale too:
- MyHeritage – $49 and free shipping on 2 or more kits, click here
- Ancestry – $59 and free shipping, click here
- 23andMe – $88.95 for ancestry only, click here, or $129 for ancestry plus health, click here. Both include free shipping.
Bling Genealogy
Jeannette, known affectionately as the Genealogy Bling Lady creates handmade genealogy items. Yes, they really are hand made by her and her mother.
They are amazing too – both the ladies and their creations.
I always look forward to visiting the BlingGenealogy booth. I’ve purchased jewelry, t-shirts, denim shirts with DNA double helixes and haplogroups, double helix zipper pulls, facemasks, and other goodies.
If you look across the top tab on the BlingGenealogy website, you’ll notice categories for Clothing, Masks, DNA, American history, Jewelry, and more.
This year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing and my two Mayflower ancestors, I’m going to purchase a Mayflower rhinestone bling t-shirt.
Jeannette will add your Mayflower ancestor’s name if you include the “Mayflower Name Listing” item in your shopping cart. Take a look, here or at her main site, here.
You don’t need to have a Mayflower descendant to love this shirt – if your ancestors sailed on any ship, it honors their passage and I know Jeannette will work with you to replace the word Mayflower with another ship name, a surname or just a few waves.
Oh, and look, there’s a limited edition Mayflower Broach too.
Hmmm, I’ve been really, really good this year. 😉
Don’t think there are only items for gals here – lots for guys too. Browse around.
Jeannette is offering 25% off of all jewelry, free shipping, and unlimited use of a coupon code exclusively for DNAeXplain customers. You must use the checkout promo code: DNAeXplainedWinter
Enjoy!
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Disclosure
I receive a small contribution when you click on some of the links to vendors in my articles. This does NOT increase the price you pay but helps me to keep the lights on and this informational blog free for everyone. Please click on the links in the articles or to the vendors below if you are purchasing products or DNA testing.
Thank you so much.
DNA Purchases and Free Transfers
- FamilyTreeDNA – Y, mitochondrial and autosomal DNA testing
- MyHeritage DNA – ancestry autosomal DNA only, not health
- MyHeritage FREE DNA file upload – transfer your results from other vendors free
- AncestryDNA – autosomal DNA only
- 23andMe Ancestry – autosomal DNA only, no Health
- 23andMe Ancestry Plus Health
Genealogy Products and Services
- MyHeritage FREE Tree Builder – genealogy software for your computer
- MyHeritage Subscription with Free Trial
- Legacy Family Tree Webinars – genealogy and DNA classes, subscription-based, some free
- Legacy Family Tree Software – genealogy software for your computer
- Charting Companion – Charts and Reports to use with your genealogy software or FamilySearch
Genealogy Research
- Legacy Tree Genealogists – professional genealogy research
Books
- Genealogical.com – lots of wonderful genealogy research books
I purchased 2 masks from BlingGenealogy (Mayflower and Patriot) and wear them proudly. They are much better than my homemade ones.
I have a DNA mask from her too from earlier this year.
Can a Finder Family (autosomal) test be upgraded to a Y test? Does a Y test depend on how many of your relatives have tested? Thanks.
If the Family Finder was taken with a swab and not transferred, yes. If it was a transfer, you can still order the Y test and they will send you a swab kit.
Regarding your second question, matching for all DNA tests depends on other people testing. You don’t know who might have tested until you see who you match. I was working on the tree of a match yesterday trying to expand their tree to identify our common ancestor.
Yes, it can be upgraded. They may need to send you a swab kit if you transferred. The number if matches depends on how many people have tested. There’s no way to know that until you test though.
I am assuming the listed prices are in US dollars. So many sites often do not list the currency – this makes quite a difference in cost to Canadians (likely other countries also) & also often the shipping either is not free or definitely costs more, making quite a difference sometimes.
Yes, they are.