DNA has become a popular tool in family history research. Various websites will try to match your DNA results with those of other people on their databases. This is potentially a great way of breaking down those stubborn brick walls, but it is not always that easy.
In the past year I have had several clients requesting my help with their DNA results. Between us we have sent messages to dozens of people with DNA matches. Unfortunately a large number of these messages have gone unanswered. Why?
DNA Gifts Galore.
Just because you have taken the test and are excited about finding matches does not mean that everyone else is. DNA kits are now marketed as gifts, often with discounts just before Christmas, Mother’s Day and Father Day. If the gift is for someone who is interested in family history research then that is fine, but if they are not …! Taking the test, sending it off and even uploading the results is easy, but if the tester is not really interested then it is quite possible they will quickly start to ignore emails about matches.
One way to attempt to determine why they have not replied to your message is to ask yourself a couple of questions. Have they uploaded a tree? If so is it comprehensive or just have a few hidden/living people on it? If a tree has not been uploaded or very basic, and they do not respond to messages, it may indicate a lack of interest. In this case try contacting a shared match who does have a good tree.
Depending on which website you use you may be able to see how long someone has held the account and when they last accessed it. This is possible on Ancestry accounts and has proved useful to me in the past.
This example may suggest the DNA test was a gift and the owner has little interest in family history research, especially as this profile does not have a tree attached.
Shocking DNA Results?
Another reason for a lack of communication could be due to an unexpected/unwanted DNA result. I know of at least three people who have found recent illegitimate or adopted family lines. Although some of us may find this exciting, if it involves our parents or grandparents this unexpected knowledge could prove very distressing. In the cases I am personally aware of, each person has refused to have any further contact with other DNA matches.
RIP.
The past year has made me more aware of our mortality. This brought the realisation to me that in some cases, the reason for no contact could simply be because the person has passed away. Again if the website shows account dates, this may give you an indication.
This Ancestry profile suggests something may be amiss, especially as several very large trees are attached to it. I am aware the person this profile belongs to sadly passed way in the middle of last year.
Out of Order!
Less personal reasons could account for why you are not receiving replies. One client mentioned the fact that no one had replied to her recent messages. We conducted a little experiment and sent messages to each other via the website. Neither of us received a notification of the message. The support desk was contacted and after some argument, and exchanging evidence, the technical team fixed the problem. Once fixed the client resent the messages and several replies were received.
What can you do?
If you suspect the reason for the lack of a response could be for a personal reason, please try to be understanding. I know it can be very frustrating, but not everyone is as interested in family history as we are, even if they have completed a DNA test.
Buying a DNA kit as a gift is still a good idea. If, however, you suspect the recipient may not be as interested as you are, offer to act as a manager or owner of the account. Look at the website you intend to use and determine the best way to do this. Will it allow you to upload several DNA tests to one profile? Can you create a Manager account so you can access it via your own account? If not make sure the email address is your own and ensure have the logon details so you can access the account.
The Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) website has a beneficiary option in the account settings. This will allow you to name someone who has the right to take over your account if you should pass away. Of course you will need to make sure they are aware of this, perhaps in your Will?
To my knowledge no other genealogy database has this. Please do let me know if you are aware this is incorrect.
Find My Past “can transfer your account with any trees/subscription over to a family member. Typically in these cases the family member will need to verify some information regarding the account including payment details and information from the tree.”1 Their DNA results are held by LivingDNA [LINK] who responded to my request that “When a customer passes away we ask for the next of kin/or executor of the will to reach out to us to provide the death certificate. When we are happy the account details are verified, we can then move the test(s) in the deceased account into a preferred account or arrange for a data deletion.”2
In Ancestry’s case, “if your tree is public and payment ceases, your account and tree will remain indefinitely as Ancestry does not delete accounts. With the free account your tree and sources will be able to be viewed by those with a subscription. If you wish to leave control of your account to someone, you can leave details of the login information and email address associated with your account with your estate papers for them to gain access. Once they have gained access, they can change then name, credit card and email address on the account to take the account over.”3 A suggestion has been made to Ancestry with regards to a system relating to the death of members.
A reply to a request for similar information from The Genealogist website elicited this reply “This is not something we offer currently I’m afraid but I have passed your enquiry onto our management team for consideration regarding data held in TreeView.”4 Their DNA testing is carried out by FTDNA therefore the results in their database have a beneficiary option as discussed above.
If you would like any advice or helping working with your DNA matches contact me via the contact page.
References:
[1] Email from Joanna (Findmypast ). 29 Dec 2020, 3:18pm.
[2] Email from Amy Horwood (Living DNA). 6 Jan 2021, 11:55pm.
[3] Electronic reply from Christy M. (Directly Ancestry expert). 28 Dec 2020 12:34pm.
[4] Email from Emma (TheGenealogist Team). 06 Jan 2021 11:33am.
