Is it always better to purchase the highest marker test?

We are often asked about the number of markers one should consider when deciding to purchase a DNA test: "Is it always better to purchase the highest marker test?" The more markers two individuals can compare, the more precisely they can determine whether they could be related-based on a tighter Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) result. Conversely, matching too few markers will not result in a genealogically relevant time frame.

The answer, however, is not as simple as "more markers equal better results."  After 45 - 50 markers, you would need a test consisting of 100 markers or more to significantly narrow the MRCA range.

It is the marriage of genetics and genealogy that provides the greatest insight into potential connections. Thus it is important to compare the genealogies of potential matches alongside the DNA results. DNA Ancestry provides tools such as our matching map, pedigree comparison, and connection (e-mail) service, along with Ancestry.com's research databases and family trees that help family historians with their questions of connectivity. If you have specific questions on which test is right for you, please feel free to contact us at any time.