Autosomal DNA (atDNA)

It is the basic DNA test in genealogy and allows finding close relatives, up to about 5 generations back. It also provides a basic ethnic origin estimate (what mix of different genetic groups you are). Here is my origin, an estimate from two different providers (and their statistical models):

All major DNA testing providers offer it, and the decision on which provider to choose primarily depends on how many test takers they have (greater likelihood of finding a relative) and from which geographical area the test takers come. These are the main providers, sorted by size:

1. Ancestry DNA, the largest provider (over 24 million test takers), most test takers from America. They send the testing kit from America (customs!) and it must also be sent back (customs!).

2. 23andMe, a large provider (over 14 million test takers), but it has gone through a couple of sales and uncertainties, so I can hardly recommend testing there.

3. MyHeritage DNA, a large provider (9 million test takers), most test takers in Europe. The advantage is also that they ship within the EU, so there are fewer problems with shipping in both directions. I also performed my first DNA test with them.

4. FamilyTreeDNA, a medium-sized provider (2 million test takers), which also offers other tests Y-DNA and mtDNA, which can be even more interesting. It also allows you to first perform only the atDNA test (Family Finder), and then later pay extra for other tests, which they perform from the original sample.

My DNA Matches

Through the MyHeritage atDNA test, I found quite a few relatives:

• 3rd aunt on the Pezdirc line, living in the USA
• 3rd nephew on the Pezdirc line, from Slovenia
• 3rd cousin on the Simonič line, living in the USA
• 3rd niece on one of the Gorenjska lines (we are still figuring out where we connect)
• and over 6000 other matches (most of them too distant)

When I later did the Family Finder test with FamilyTreeDNA, I discovered:

• 3rd cousin on the Simonič line, living in the USA (the same as above)
• 4th cousin on the Porenta line, living in Slovenia
• 5th cousin, probably on the Erjavec line (still confirming), living in the USA
• and over 1200 other matches

The good thing about DNA testing is that I was able to connect my Pezdirc family from the USA, whom I only knew existed, but not where they had emigrated.

Even more useful was the discovery of the Erjavec line: because of the DNA test and the matching test taker's tree, I was able to deduce that an Erjavec from Trata (near Gorenja vas) could be someone connected to us, because I myself had a Kisovec who moved to Strahinj from Trata, but I could not find that Trata. Now that I saw that Trata also exists near Gorenja vas, I found both Kisovec and his Erjavec ancestors in the records!

Once the situation with US customs calms down, I intend to do an Ancestry DNA test as well, because they have the most test takers.

Importing MyHeritage Data into FamilyTreeDNA

FTDNA allows importing data from other providers and comparing it with their test takers. So I took advantage of this option (for an additional payment of 8 EUR on sale) and found out my basic Y-DNA haplogroup: R-Y1392. This confirms the origin of my paternal line and indicates that I belong to the R1b line of haplogroups, which originates from Central Europe. For a more precise estimate, a special Y-DNA test is required.

Surprising DNA Matches

Because I paid for DNA tests for some relatives or acquaintances, it happened to one of them that they found an aunt who was apparently an illegitimate child of their grandfather or his brother. They found themselves in a dilemma whether to make contact and find out more, or rather wait for the other side to make contact first. You never know what you will find out, and you need to be aware of this before ordering your test.