The autosomal unlock for transferred (uploaded) DNA files at FamilyTreeDNA is being discontinued (retired) on August 18th.
In a nutshell, this means that if you uploaded or transferred a test from another vendor and DID NOT purchase the unlock for the advanced tools, you only have a few days left to purchase that unlock if you (or the tester) can’t retest and don’t have a usable stored sample at FamilyTreeDNA.
If the tester has previously submitted a sample and cannot retest, contact FamilyTreeDNA support to confirm that a sample is still available. Of course, DNA tests can fail, especially on older samples.
The reason for the unlock retirement is because the new Family Finder NGS test provides substantially more coverage than a transfer test, and an upgrade will be offered at a special price beginning the 18th.
Upcoming features, including Family Finder Discover, developed around the new Family Finder platform, cannot be supported on files from other vendors. Additionally, many files from other vendors cannot be transferred to FamilyTreeDNA.
A new test with better coverage and more features is great news if the tester is living and can submit a new sample, but for those who cannot retest and do not have a stored sample, I strongly recommend that you sign in and purchase the $19 unlock for those tests now.
Why purchase something that is being retired?
Having access to advanced tools is better than not having access, and these tools still work fine. You won’t be able to receive all future features, but at least you’ll have access to what is available today, especially segment and chromosome browser information. Your relatives’ tests can be just as important to your genealogy as your own test, because they carry different segments of your ancestors’ DNA.
What Features Are Included in the Unlock?
This chart shows features included in the free autosomal transfer versus with the unlock:
| Feature | Free Transfer – No Unlock | With the $19 Unlock |
| Matching | Yes | Yes |
| Matrix (which matches also match each other) | Yes | Yes |
| Shared matches | Yes | Yes |
| Segment data download | Yes | Yes |
| myOrigins (ethnicity) | No | Yes |
| myOrigins segment data | No | Yes |
| Chromosome Browser | No | Yes |
| Chromosome Painter | No | Yes |
| Y-DNA Haplogroups | No | When SNPs are available in the other vendor’s file |
| ancientOrigins | No | Yes |
This Only Pertains to Transfers Without an Unlock
To be crystal clear – This only pertains to transferred (uploaded) autosomal files from other vendors that HAVE NOT previously purchased the unlock.
- If you have an uploaded or transferred autosomal file from another vendor and have already purchased the unlock, you won’t have received the email, and it doesn’t pertain to you.
- If an uploaded or transferred autosomal file registered to your email has not been unlocked, you should have received this email.
It’s always better to test ON any vendor’s platform rather than upload a file from another vendor. If your tester can, and is willing to provide a new sample, or already has one on file, don’t purchase the unlock today. Wait until the 18th and purchase the Family Finder test at the special upgrade price.
If your tester does not have stored DNA and cannot retest, purchase the unlock NOW. You won’t be able to after August 17th
The Email
People who have uploaded an autosomal DNA file and have not purchased the unlock received an email with the following information:
The current Family Finder test will provide better results and new tools that another vendor’s file cannot support. Other vendors don’t test the same DNA locations as FamilyTreeDNA, and the Family Finder NGS test generates 400 times more autosomal data than the older chip technologies used for transfer files.
The Family Finder NGS upgrade will be offered for transfer files beginning on August 18th. If the tester doesn’t have a viable sample in storage, a new collection kit will need to be sent to the tester. If this pertains to you, and you or the tester can upgrade, that is absolutely the way to proceed – and $29 is a great price.
The only people who should purchase the unlock now are those who don’t have a sample in place and can’t retest. Otherwise, wait until the 18th and order the Family Finder upgrade.
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DNA Purchases and Free Uploads
- FamilyTreeDNA – Y-DNA, mitochondrial and autosomal DNA testing
- MyHeritage DNA – Autosomal DNA test
- AncestryDNA – Autosomal DNA test
- AncestryDNA Plus Traits
- 23andMe Ancestry – Autosomal DNA only, no Health
- 23andMe Ancestry Plus Health
Genealogy Products and Services
- MyHeritage Subscription with Free Trial
- Legacy Family Tree Webinars – Genealogy and DNA classes, subscription-based, some free
- Legacy Family Tree Software – Genealogy software for your computer
- OldNews – Old Newspapers with links to save to MyHeritage trees
- MyHeritage Omni comprehensive “everything included” subscription plan
- Newspapers.com – Search newspapers for your ancestors
- NewspaperArchive – Search different newspapers for your ancestors
My Books
- DNA for Native American Genealogy – by Roberta Estes, for those ordering the e-book from anyplace, or paperback within the United States
- DNA for Native American Genealogy – for those ordering the paperback outside the US
- The Complete Guide to FamilyTreeDNA – Y-DNA, Mitochondrial, Autosomal and X-DNA – for those ordering the e-book from anyplace, or paperback within the United States
- The Complete Guide to FamilyTreeDNA – Y-DNA, Mitochondrial, Autosomal and X-DNA for those ordering the paperback from outside the US
Genealogy Books
- Genealogical.com – Lots of wonderful genealogy research books
- American Ancestors – Wonderful selection of genealogy books
Genealogy Research
- Legacy Tree Genealogists – Professional genealogy research