Tuesday 6 September 2016

The "New Experience" at 23andme

Finally, after 10 months of being a second class citizen at 23andme, my three kits have been transitioned into the "new experience".

FamilyTreeDNA is still my company of choice being the good all rounder, with tests for the three types of DNA, tools to work with them, and having DNA projects to assist collaboration.
Even better they've reduced their autosomal DNA test price from $99 to $79US (plus $12.95 US for international shipping). Be in.

But I do have three kits on 23andme, myself, a maternal aunt and a paternal second cousin, given I haven't any closer ones available, just to cover the bases.

It has been a frustrating 10 months during which I'd more or less given up on even checking matches there.

Apart from getting used to where everything I use is - mostly all found thanks to Kitty Cooper's blog posts - I took time to look at my Health reports, which is very low on my priority list, having tested for the genealogy. Curiousity won out.

Can't say I learnt much (thankfully I guess) but I did get a good chuckle out of one report.
I'm apparently an "Unlikely sprinter".
Given I use a wheelchair this seems unlikely or even very prophetic of them :)
And as I'm also getting rather longer in the tooth these days, being a good sprinter also seems a rather forlorn hope.

The more prosaic answer is

Back to the genealogy:
All three kits are now switched to Open Sharing.
If you are on the new 23andme please consider making the most of your investment for yourself, and your matches by reviewing your sharing preferences to select Open Sharing as well.

Tools> DNA Relatives
Over on the rhs beside “Filters” and above the Search box click “Update DNA Relatives profile"
Please select Open Sharing.
 It's great being able to quickly see who all matches whom (amongst your shares or those on open sharing) without having to go through the frustrating invite system that disappeared into a black hole with no record of what you may have said.