As most of you know, this year I celebrated my red, white and blue birthday. I decided that having achieved this seemingly ancient number in life, I would go about researching my ancestors. I plunked down several hundred dollars and invested some of my DNA with the goal of learning more about where I came from. Ok, to save yourself reading any more details, here is the point…..don’t do it. 23andMe is supposed to be one of the better companies for researching one’s genetic background. But my experience is that they just have good marketing people.
First of all, results are sent via email. We all know there is no such thing as a secure web connection. So I feel exposed, like my info is out there for anyone who wants to hack in and get it (if there is indeed, anyone that bored with life who feels he/she needs to do this). Secondly, I was informed that my ancestors came not from Japan or China but from Africa. Well, anyone with a minimum of one functioning eye can tell that I have no Asian heritage so that was minimally helpful. Then I received an email that 1,500 to 2,000 years ago, my ancestors came from the Basque region of Spain. There was a Basque region and a Spain 2,000 years ago? Ok, that’s somewhat helpful.
And then the information stopped.
I have a copy of the land grant for my mother’s ancestors who began farming in South Carolina a year after it became a state. I think I was hoping for more information on those folks as well as possibly something about my father’s family from Georgia. But no.
So I wrote a note to 23andMe and asked for a refund, citing some of the above concerns and disappointments. They wrote back a very nice note basically saying “No dice.”
So consider this information fair warning. If you want to spend way too much money and learn that your ancestors walked on two legs, 23andMe is the company that can do that for you. If you have other goals, spend your money researching website and local area historical societies. You’ll learn more – and be happier with the outcome.
Don’t Do 23andMe
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