Oxford Ancestors any good?

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preiii
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:39 pm

Oxford Ancestors any good?

Post by preiii » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:36 pm

Hi all,

I'm curious about your thoughts on the DNA testing available through Oxford Ancestors. I'm considering having the paternity line tested along with the "Tribes of Britain" feature, to see if my likely descent on the father's side is likely Celtic, Saxon, etc.

Has anyone had any great experiences with this? Any horrible experiences? Words of caution?

Thanks!

Paul

Chris Paton
Posts: 433
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:14 pm

Post by Chris Paton » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:42 pm

Paul,

The test now done by Ancestry offers a similar facility for about half the price. I would say though that this is not the most useful part of genetic genealogy! If you see my article in the Talking Scot Library, you'll see where the real strength in genetic genealogy lies. A common thought people have when they do these tests is that it "proves" that they are Scottish, Saxon, Indian, whatever. In fact it does not, it only proves that one line had that background, and at the period we are talking about, that ancestor will be one of several thousand! The real strength in DNA use is in more recent brick wall problems within your genealogical research.

Oxford Ancestors were the first to offer the service in Britain, but their prices are now very high relative to other service providers who provide the same and more. I'm not allowed to list my website URL here, but if you Google me (or go through the Experts tab above) you'll soon find it, and it includes a reprint of last month's Your Family tree article looking at a breakdown of Ancestry's new service, which will give you a better idea.

Chris
Tha an lasair nad anam aig meadhan do bhith
Nas làidir 's nas motha na riaghaltas no rìgh.

preiii
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:39 pm

Post by preiii » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:37 pm

Thanks for the reply, Chris! I was able to find that other information. Looks like I still have some comparisons to do.

Paul

Chris Paton
Posts: 433
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:14 pm

Post by Chris Paton » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:39 pm

Good luck! :)

Chris
Tha an lasair nad anam aig meadhan do bhith
Nas làidir 's nas motha na riaghaltas no rìgh.