Lots of people have had more time to focus on genealogy in 2020, so let’s take a look at what’s important. What’s going on and what matters beyond this month or year? How has this industry changed in the last two decades, and where it is going?
…
In the beginning – twenty years ago, there were two companies who stuck their toes in the consumer DNA testing water – Oxford Ancestors and Family Tree DNA. About the same time, Sorenson Genomics and GeneTree were also entering that space, although Sorenson was a nonprofit. Today, of those, only FamilyTreeDNA remains, having adapted with the changing times – adding more products, testing, and sophistication.
In summary:
- FamilyTreeDNA (Y DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal DNA testing) launched in 2000 with Y DNA and mitochondrial. Their Family Finder autosomal test launched in 2010.
- 23andMe (autosomal only) launched in 2007
- Ancestry (autosomal only) launched in 2011
- MyHeritage (autosomal only) launched in 2016
…
What we desperately need, and I predict will happen one way or another is a marriage of individual tools and functions that exist separately today, with a dash of innovation. We need tools that will move beyond confirming existing ancestors – and will be able to identify ancestors through our DNA.
