As access to ancestry DNA testing has become increasingly accessible, more and more people ae choosing to find out what their DNA can tell them about their family history. A simple and easy process which can yield plenty of fascinating insight into where you came from, there are many reasons to give ancestry DNA testing a try.
Here a few of the ways you might benefit from getting a test kit of your own.
1. You’ll gain access to real information about your ethnicity
Although many of us may think we know “where we come from,” ancestry DNA tests are challenging many of the assumptions that we used to consider safe to make. Stories passed down across generations are often lost or changed due to social, cultural, and historical circumstances.
In fact, we know now that even many family documents were forged for various reasons throughout history. Alternatively, you may have been given no story at all and are simply curious to learn whether your family originally immigrated from Ireland or Italy, due to the fact that you’ve received mixed information.
Ancestry DNA testing can provide all sorts of valuable insight that could then guide you in the right director to continue exploring the origins of where your family came from and how they ended up where they are today.
2. Help create a legacy you can pass on to younger generations
The modern society we currently inhabit leaves a lot to be desired in terms of family tradition. As identify politics becomes increasingly complex and young people have a harder time figuring out where they fit in, it can be an invaluable gift to be able to situate oneself within the larger context of a family story and legacy.
Being able to look at family photos and understand who the people in them are, where they came from and what their connecting is to those alive today can be a very comforting experience.
3. Make new connections
Speaking of understanding the people who came before us, ancestry DNA can also be a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who are working on similar family lines in order to network and verify existing research. Ancestry DNA service providers can allow you access to other tools that search records and help you find family members that you didn’t even know you had.
4. Ancestry DNA testing is affordable
As these tests have become more popular and there has been an increase in providers, DNA test kits have become very affordable. Some services offer different price points depending on the type of test you would like done and the sort of information you’re expecting to receive, but virtually all of them offer a version of their kit that is under $100.
Considering what you stand to learn, it seems like a small price to pay. It is also worth keeping an eye out for special discounts or offers, as many providers have special deals around the holidays and other points throughout the year.
5. Ancestry DNA is a fun activity for the whole family
Even if you don’t plan to seriously pursue any research into the finding, an ancestry DNA test can be a great way to bring the family together and have fun learning something new. As more people do the tests, the results of ancestry DNA are also fun to share with coworkers, at parties, and in online forums. Your findings might lead you to explore a style of music or cuisine you had never considered before, or it might even give you and your family some inspiration as to where you should plan your next vacation.
