If you are interested in using DNA to find your Dutch ancestors, make sure your DNA is in the MyHeritage genetic database. MyHeritage is the most popular DNA service in the Netherlands, and as a result, it is the place where you are most likely to find Dutch matches. MyHeritage also offers great tools for analyzing your DNA, such as Theories of Relativity, a clustering tool, and chromosome browser. This week, uploads to MyHeritage are free. Normally, there is a fee to unlock the Ethniticy … [Read more...]
Quick Tip – Genetic Groups at MyHeritage
27 January 2021 by 1 Comment
MyHeritage introduced Genetic Groups, a new way to predict your ethnicity. I manage four Dutch kits from people from four different parts of the Netherlands, and they're all spot on. For my own kit, it predicts three genetic groups with high confidence: Netherlands (Gelderland and Overijssel) Netherlands (North Brabant) and Belgium (Antwerpen) Netherlands (South Holland, North Holland, Gelderland and Utrecht). This is consistent with my tree: my father's ancestors are from … [Read more...]
What Dutch DNA Looks Like – 2020 Edition
22 May 2020 by 37 Comments
Ethnicity estimates can vary between companies. They have different algorithms, different reference populations, and define different regions. To show you what Dutch DNA could look like with the various companies, here are my own results. Based on my tree, I should be >99% Dutch, with a bit of German and French. I have some medieval lines from other countries in the 1200s and before, but the chances of me having inherited any of their DNA is minimal. My father's side is from Gelderland, … [Read more...]
Quick tip – Dutch DNA is often identified as something else
12 February 2020 by 3 Comments
Many Dutch people taking a DNA test are surprised by the ethnicity predictions. Instead of Dutch, they're predicted to be French, German, English, or Scandinavian. When you think about the history of North-Western Europe, this is not surprising. The North Sea was the highway of the Middle Ages, with many people traveling for trade or pillage. During the great migrations, whole populations moved across the continent, leaving descendants in different places. And trade between the Netherlands … [Read more...]
Free DNA kits for cousins
24 January 2020 by 4 Comments
[Nederlandse versie hieronder / Dutch version below] I have several brick walls that I hope to solve using DNA, including several fathers of children born out of wedlock. On other lines, I would love to verify my information using DNA. Unfortunately, DNA testing is not that popular in the Netherlands, so I have many lines without any DNA matches. By offering free DNA kits, I hope to encourage the right people to test. If you're a descendant of any of the people listed below or are … [Read more...]
Quick tip – Use DNA to find Dutch cousins
9 October 2019 by Leave a Comment
DNA testing is becoming more popular in the Netherlands. Many Dutch people test at MyHeritage, though some also test with other companies such as Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, or 23andMe. To find Dutch cousins, you can take a DNA test. You will then get a list of people who tested at the same company who share DNA with you. The more DNA you share, the closer the relationship. See the article Dutch DNA testing strategy for more information to maximize your chance of finding cousins. … [Read more...]
Quick tip – Transfer your DNA to Other Companies
27 February 2019 by Leave a Comment
If you have recent Dutch ancestors, you may not have a lot of matches when you take a DNA test since DNA testing is not that popular in the Netherlands. To increase your chances of finding Dutch cousins, transfer your DNA results to other websites such as MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, and GedMatch. Testing at Ancestry and 23andMe can also increase your chances of finding matches, since those companies don't accept uploads. See the article Dutch DNA Testing Strategy for more information. … [Read more...]
Quick tip : Upload your DNA to MyHeritage. Now!
24 October 2018 by Leave a Comment
MyHeritage allows you to upload your autosomal DNA results from other companies. This is a currently a free service, but after 1 December 2018, advanced features will be paid. If you upload now, these services will remain free. Upload your DNA now! If you upload after 1 December 2018, you will still see your matches but you won't be able to use the chromosome browser or see ethnicity predictions. The chromosome browser is particularly useful since you can then see if multiple people match … [Read more...]
Ask Yvette – Should I Take a DNA Test?
31 August 2018 by Leave a Comment
Last month, I blogged about my ethnicity predictions, which were wildly off. As a result, several people have asked me: Should I take a DNA test if they are so unreliable? My answer? Absolutely! You see, a DNA test gives you two types of results. On the one hand, it gives you the ethnicity predictions. This feature has the most curb appeal and is a reason why many people test. Unfortunately, these results are highly speculative, especially below the continent level. My ethnicity … [Read more...]
What Dutch DNA Looks Like – 2018 edition
13 July 2018 by 50 Comments
In 2016, I wrote a blog post comparing the ethnicity predictions between the three largest providers of DNA tests. Since then, some companies have changed their algorithms and I've tested with two more companies. Time for an update! I've kept the original article as-is so we can compare how the predictions change over time. To recap, according to my tree, I'm mostly Dutch with a bit of German. DNA matches confirm that my tree is correct for the past several generations. I have some French … [Read more...]
