2 DNA Raw Data - Desiree Colson

When you receive your DNA test back from Ancestry, you can retrieve what is called "Raw Data" from the test.

This is what you use to submit the test results to other sites, such as MyHeritage, or GedMatch, etc.

Login to your Ancestry account.

In the top menu under DNA, click on Your DNA Results Summary.     (below)

Click on the gear on the right to get to your settings.    (below)

On the right there is a box called Actions.  Below Download your raw DNA data is Get Started.

 

You will be asked to enter your Ancestry account password.   (below)

Then you will be directed to check your email for a confirmation of your request.   (below)

Head over to your email inbox and click on the email you just received from Ancestry.   (below)

After opening your email, you will see this box (below). Just click on Confirm Data Download.  (below)

 

Clicking will take you back to your Ancestry page where you click on Download DNA Raw Data.   (below)

This action will download a file to wherever your internet downloads are usually stored on your computer.
You likely will find this under your Downloads folder (all computers look a little different).    (below)

 

DO NOT UNZIP THE FILE !!!

Take a note of where your DNA Raw Data is stored, as you will need to be able to access this in the future.

Depending on which company you tested with, the file may look a little different. Below shows both my tests taken with Ancestry, and also MyHeritage.

Above you can see I have two tests taken with Ancestry (my own, and my brother Wayne), and I also have two tests taken with MyHeritage (my mum and dad's). 

Now that you have your Ancestry DNA raw data, you can upload it onto other genealogy sites.
In particular - GedMatch - you really want to know about this one... and it's free.

Check out my other handout about uploading your raw data onto GedMatch.