Ancestry limiting DNA features unless you pay

[AlanB]

I had seen rumours of this on a Facebook group that I belong to, but I haven't yet had any notification on my Ancestry account about it. I find it disappointing that Ancestry are clearly trying to make more money by doing this, but I would point out that, if you test with Myheritage and don't pay a subscription, you can only see one shared match for each of your matches, and you don't see the chromosome browser either. On the other hand, if you upload to MH from elsewhere you can get all those features by paying a one off fee, which seems a little unfair.

If, however, Ancestry make up for this change by introducing a proper chromosome browser rather than the "chromsome painter" that they currently have, I will forgive them ;-)

 

[peter]

I had seen rumours of this on a Facebook group that I belong to, but I haven't yet had any notification on my Ancestry account about it.

You'll only get a notification if you don't have an Ancestry membership.

The cost to Ancestry of maintaining their DNA database and updating it must be considerable - at the moment the whole of the cost has to be covered by the subscriptions paid by fewer than 15% of those who have tested.

I find it disappointing that Ancestry are clearly trying to make more money by doing this, but I would point out that, if you test with Myheritage and don't pay a subscription, you can only see one shared match for each of your matches, and you don't see the chromosome browser either. On the other hand, if you upload to MH from elsewhere you can get all those features by paying a one off fee, which seems a little unfair.

If, however, Ancestry make up for this change by introducing a proper chromosome browser rather than the "chromosome painter" that they currently have, I will forgive them ;-)

I think we have to assume that Ancestry have good reasons for not providing a chromosome browser. It could be the cost, it could be the impact on privacy, or it might be also be that they realise that giving such a tool to people who don't have the experience or the appropriate skillset could lead to errors which would undermine confidence in Ancestry DNA.

Even without a chromosome browser Ancestry generates results that, for the vast majority, far exceed those that they can get at other sites. See for example this quote from the blog of DNA guru Leah Larkin.

 

[DavidF]

My access to Ancestry DNA is through ancestry.com.au and I don't currently have a paid subscription.
I am also seeing the warning.
At present there is no mention of an AncestryDNA Plus membership in the subscription options.

 

[John Dancy]

The cost to Ancestry of maintaining their DNA database and updating it must be considerable

And the cost of adding all the extra data we use (Suffolk on the way, hopefully) People undertake DNA tests for a variety of reasons, a fair number not related to family history, so the features that are being removed would not be of interest to them.
Maybe Ancestry should start offering a DNA testing package that includes a twelve month subscription.

 

[peter]

Maybe Ancestry should start offering a DNA testing package that includes a twelve month subscription.

They sometimes offer a 3 month subscription for a nominal cost when a DNA test is purchased. It's not feasible to offer a 12 month subscription as the value of the subscription far exceeds the cost of the DNA test.

 

[cfbandit]

I had seen rumours of this on a Facebook group that I belong to, but I haven't yet had any notification on my Ancestry account about it.

So far the only things that really matter are the parental groupings, and unless you're really stuck and can't figure out how to identify your ancestors through other methods like Peter's masterclass, you really don't even need that. Its just a "nice to have".

So far a month or two subscription here and there has been fine for me, but I do have a lot of DNA matches already hooked up to my tree and already grouped by ancestor.

 

[Kate]

If we have access to the Library edition at our local library or archives, does anyone know if we can see our DNA matches, shared matches etc there? I am not sure how much the changes at Ancestry will bother me. I have lots of recorded matches and I am busy using the genealogist website at the moment. I am surprised by the number of land records which are relevant to my extended family!

 

[peter]

If we have access to the Library edition at our local library or archives, does anyone know if we can see our DNA matches, shared matches etc there? I am not sure how much the changes at Ancestry will bother me. I have lots of recorded matches and I am busy using the genealogist website at the moment. I am surprised by the number of land records which are relevant to my extended family!

No, the Library Edition doesn't have DNA or trees.

Perhaps you can tell us more about your experience with The Genealogist (in a different discussion) as some members might want to take advantage of the offer in the newsletter - it ends on Sunday.

 

[DavidF]

I've just connected to Ancestry Oz, checking for new Common Ancestors and I have a completely new page layout - presumably as a result of the warning notice.
I now CANNOT access the previously available tree snippet OR the Common Ancestor of matches without an AncestryPlus membership for $7 / mth. This is a severe limitation.

 

[peter]

In the UK it's £14.99 for 6 months

 

[DavidF]

It's actually $39.99 for 6 months in Oz (I just rounded the numbers) which equates to about £21 - you're certainly getting as better deal.
Without access to the tree and Common Ancestor it really restricts the usefulness without a membership.
Also I can't seem to find ThruLines any more.

 

[peter]

Both UK & Australia are cheaper than the US - see my December article.

 

[peter]

This is an example of what someone without any membership sees (in this case the other person's tree is private but it makes little difference):

 

[DavidF]

It would have been nice if Ancestry had sent a message to all those that have done a DNA test but are not members letting them know what's happening - surely a marketing opportunity missed.

 

[peter]

It would have been nice if Ancestry had sent a message to all those that have done a DNA test but are not members letting them know what's happening - surely a marketing opportunity missed.

There has been a message displayed for about 6 weeks.

 

[Bryman]

Isn't the action being taken by Ancestry a form of illegal Inertia Selling? It look like they are taking away the information that testers who are non-members have already purchased the right to access. I see no objection to an annual subscription being required from new purchasers who are duly informed but increasing the price after the deal has been completed should surely not be allowed.

 

[cfbandit]

Isn't the action being taken by Ancestry a form of illegal Inertia Selling?

No, that would be moreso if one was signed up for an annual subscription and then being expected to pay for it. In this case, its like many of tech companies are doing, scaling back delivery to try to claw additional revenue.

When my current month runs out, I'll probably go for the DNA Plus. At least until the ProTools upgrade comes out - then I'll pay for a full subscription and ProTools to get access to the new upgrade and get the 64 color groupings. Very excited about that, I often have to cycle through colors when I'm working on different connections in my tree.