While having DNA as part of a genealogical research business is a major undertaking, you'd think that the behemoth of them all would get it right. Not even close. A few years ago when I saw Ancestry.com was offering DNA testing (their own), I thought this was interesting...perhaps a lot of people will start doing this. Unfortunately, they did not rely on popular standards (markers) in which they wanted to test with...I'm not sure why exactly their first attempt at including DNA research failed, but it did.
Their second foray into the Genealogical DNA realm began in 2007...with a lot of marketing and hoopla. Now it is March, 2008...they have their blog up, you can order kits, and um is that it? Pretty much. No surname project sites...where's the community?
Their prices are seriously flawed....$199 for a 46 marker test...when you can spend a little more at FamilyTreeDNA and get a 67 marker test. I know what you're saying...more doesn't mean better...but these new markers (they jumped from 37-67) have proven very useful in further refining and distinguishing relationships.
A Genealogical DNA research company without community is useless. People on the blogs state they are receiving matches that say they have 60-70 generation relationships. How do you make an already confusing (to DNA newbies) process even more confusing? Throw useless data at them.
The truth is Ancestry.com is holding out releasing the Surname Projects because they have no community. Who joins projects with 0 or 1 person? The core of the issue is the testing company behind the scenes - Sorensen. While it is a great research group, the problem is their focus. They were not focused as much on surname groups prior to hitching with Ancestry.com and this is the current dilemma.
If Ancestry.com had joined forces with Family Tree DNA, there would have been an explosion in interest and pre-existing surname groups (with pre-existing Administrators like myself).
I see Ancestry.com flopping on this second attempt. Hopefully they aren't so big they won't see their mistake early on. Please make the switch to Family Tree DNA and admit your mistake. Don't take $$$ over substance. I personally love Ancestry.com and the databases and price structure...just not the DNA side.
If you are interested in DNA Genealogical research, please visit http://www.familytreedna.com They have surname groups you can browse through and lots of information on this type of research if you are new.
Of note, they are also coupling with RelativeGenetics.com so they will have some community...but it is pitiful in relation to community presence at FTDNA.
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