MyHeritage Free Trial Review: Unlock Your Family History

Digital Tools & Services
September 19, 2023

Introduction to MyHeritage

MyHeritage (MyHeritage.com) is a DNA testing company founded by Gilad Japhet in Israel in 2003. The now US-based provider has had over 50 million users worldwide and provides testing services in 42 supported languages. The site’s archive of family records dates as far back as 1792.

How does testing with MyHeritage work?

It’s important to first understand that there are 3 types of DNA tests offered:

Autosomal testing. This type of DNA test kit is a common option if you’re looking for a straightforward test at a competitive price. Autosomal testing pinpoints individual pairs of chromosomes to help you learn more about yourself and your medical history.
mtDNA testing. As a more comprehensive type of testing, mtDNA singles out traits and individuals from your maternal family line.
Y-DNA testing. Similar to mtDNA testing, Y-DNA testing traces a specific line in your family tree. In this case, it’s your paternal ancestry line.

Some testing companies offer mtDNA and Y-DNA testing for an additional cost, but the most affordable DNA tests – including those offered by MyHeritage – tend to offer autosomal testing only.

To start your DNA testing process, place an online order for a kit with MyHeritage. Once you receive your kit, follow the instructions to swab your cheek and submit your sample for analysis. Following this, you’ll receive your results in as little as 3-4 weeks.

MyHeritage Free Trial

You can start a 14-day free trial with MyHeritage today and get complete access to their genealogy tools right now. Give it a try and see just how easy it is to find and research generations of your family history at the click of a button!

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Quick Review

One of the key features of MyHeritage is its DNA testing service, which allows users to discover their ethnic origins and connect with relatives across the globe. By simply providing a DNA sample, users can gain valuable insights into their genetic makeup and uncover hidden connections to distant relatives. The MyHeritage DNA test analyzes thousands of genetic markers to provide accurate and detailed ethnicity estimates, helping individuals better understand their heritage.

In addition to the DNA testing service, MyHeritage also offers a range of other tools and features to enhance your family history research. The platform provides access to billions of historical records, including birth certificates, marriage records, census data, and more. This wealth of information can be incredibly valuable when piecing together your family tree and uncovering long-lost ancestors.

Pros

Quick results – typically within a month
One of the most affordable DNA tests on the market
Allows access to a large number of features without requiring a paid subscription
Large database of European users

Cons

No Y-DNA and MtDNA testing for paternal/maternal line tracing
Smaller DNA database than more expensive competitors

However, it’s important to note that while MyHeritage offers many valuable features, there are some limitations as well. One potential drawback is that not all historical records may be available in certain regions or countries. This can be frustrating if you are researching ancestors from a specific location and find that the records you need are not accessible through MyHeritage.

Additionally, while the MyHeritage DNA test provides valuable insights into your ethnic origins, it’s important to remember that ethnicity estimates are just that – estimates. They are based on statistical analysis and may not always accurately reflect your complete genetic heritage. It’s also worth noting that DNA testing can uncover unexpected family connections or secrets, which may be emotionally challenging for some individuals.

Using the MyHeritage DNA Test

One of the most exciting aspects of MyHeritage is the ability to enhance your family history research with their DNA testing service. The MyHeritage DNA Test provides valuable insights into your genetic ancestry and can help you connect with relatives you never knew existed. In this section, we will explore how to use the MyHeritage DNA Test to uncover fascinating details about your heritage.

To get started, simply order a MyHeritage DNA Kit online and wait for it to arrive at your doorstep. The kit includes everything you need to collect a DNA sample, including easy-to-follow instructions and a cheek swab. Once you have collected your sample, send it back to the MyHeritage lab using the prepaid envelope provided.

Once your sample reaches the lab, the experts at MyHeritage will extract your DNA and analyze it using advanced technology. They will compare your genetic markers against their extensive database of ethnicities and populations from around the world. This analysis allows them to determine your unique ethnic makeup and provide you with detailed ethnicity estimates.

The results of your MyHeritage DNA Test will be available on your online account within a few weeks. You can access these results anytime and delve into the fascinating details of your genetic heritage. The report includes an interactive map that shows where each ethnicity estimate originates from, allowing you to visualize how different parts of the world have contributed to your genetic makeup.

In addition to ethnicity estimates, the MyHeritage DNA Test also provides information about potential relatives who have also taken the test. Through their extensive database, MyHeritage can match you with other users who share significant amounts of DNA with you, indicating a possible familial relationship. This feature is particularly useful for adoptees or individuals looking to connect with long-lost relatives.

Furthermore, MyHeritage offers a powerful tool called “Theory of Family Relativity.” This tool uses advanced algorithms to analyze billions of family tree profiles and historical records to identify potential common ancestors between you and your DNA matches. This can help you uncover previously unknown branches of your family tree and fill in missing gaps in your genealogical research.

The MyHeritage DNA Test also allows you to upload raw DNA data from other testing providers, such as AncestryDNA or 23andMe, to expand your search for relatives even further. By combining the power of multiple databases, you increase your chances of finding genetic matches and discovering new connections to your family history.

Using the MyHeritage DNA Test is not only a fascinating journey into your past but also a way to connect with living relatives who share a piece of your heritage. It provides valuable insights into your ethnic origins and can help you build a more comprehensive family tree. Whether you are just starting out on your genealogical journey or have been researching for years, the MyHeritage DNA Test is an invaluable tool that will enhance your understanding of your family history.

How much does MyHeritage cost?

Free Plan

One of the great things about MyHeritage is that you can actually use some of their tools for free. All you need to do is create an account on the MyHeritage website. Once you have created your account, you will be able to create your family tree with up to 250 people and upload up to 500 MB of storage for pictures or documents.

This free plan does not give you any access to their 14 billion historical records. If you were looking to use MyHeritage to conduct research on your ancestors, then you are going to need to upgrade to one of the paid plans.

However, this free plan is a great way for you to use the MyHeritage website without having to put down any credit card information and compare it to other companies. If you realize that the free features offered by MyHeritage are better than some of the other companies, then you will know that MyHeritage is the place where you should spend your money.

Premium

This plan is a step up from the free plan. Buying this plan not only allows you to expand your family tree, but also gives you access to some great tools.

Smart Match: What this tool does is that it gives you the ability to find potential ancestors in other people’s trees. This is all possible because of the millions of trees that other MyHeritage users have created. This tool compares features of your ancestors to those in other trees to identify any potential matches. This is a feature that many other genealogy companies also offer.
Super Match Tool: This gives you access to the MyHeritage family sites and the MyHeritage member profiles sections within the MyHeritage SuperSearch. This is just an added tool to help you find possible ancestors through research.

Additionally, upgrading to a premium subscription will also give you an increase in your family tree creating capabilities. For starters, you will be able to create a family tree of up to 2,500 people instead of 250. At that point, you would be able to add fifth cousins if you wanted to. You will also have an increased storage capacity of up to 1000 MB. Lastly, you will also get priority access to MyHeritage’s support team.

Overall, this subscription plan has a lot of added value when compared to the free plan. The cost of this plan is $79 per year, but you will only have to pay $49 for your first year. It will be up to you to decide whether it is worth it to spend the extra money to have access to these tools or not.

Premium Plus

If you wanted to upgrade your premium plan, then you would upgrade to the Premium Plus subscription which will grant you access to even more advanced tools.

Enhanced Smart Match: This allows you to confirm and reject suggested matches. This is a great tool as it helps you build your family tree more accurately.
MyHeritage SuperSearch: This means that you will be able to get access to the same collections as with your premium membership, and also get access to the MyHeritage family trees and MyHeritage photos. This means that you would have full access to all of the other members’ data on MyHeritage.
Tree Consistency Checker: This tool checks your family tree for any inconsistencies within it. This is a great help in keeping your family tree as accurate as possible. This tool even scans your tree to point out if you tagged an ancestor in a picture before they were born. This is not a tool offered by many other genealogy companies.
Family Tree Builder Premium: which means that you can add unlimited people to your family tree. You will also get priority phone and email support from the MyHeritage support team.

For those of you who have taken MyHeritage DNA tests, you will get access to three bonus features for upgrading your subscription to Premium Plus. You will get access to pedigree charts, shared DNA matches, and shared ethnicities. This can be a great help in finding people you didn’t even know you were related to.

This subscription plus has a lot of great features that can help you immensely while you conduct your research. However, it is important to note that you will not get access to the 14 billion historical records by upgrading to a premium plus subscription plan. Despite this, upgrading to Premium Plus might still be worth it for you. You can upgrade to Premium Plus and pay $89 for your first year and $129 every year after that.

MyHeritage Free Trial

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Making the Most of Your MyHeritage Free Trial

During your MyHeritage free trial, there are several key features and tools that you can utilize to make the most out of your experience. One of the first things you should do is to create a family tree on the platform. This will allow you to start building your family history and connect with relatives who may already be on MyHeritage. By adding information about your immediate family members and ancestors, you can begin to uncover new branches and connections in your family tree.

Another valuable feature of the MyHeritage free trial is access to their vast collection of historical records. With billions of records available, you can search for birth certificates, marriage records, census data, and more. These records can provide crucial information about your ancestors, such as their names, dates of birth and death, occupations, and even immigration details. Exploring these records can help you piece together the puzzle of your family’s past.

Additionally, during your free trial period, take advantage of the DNA matching feature offered by MyHeritage. By submitting a DNA sample through their DNA test kit, you can potentially discover relatives you never knew existed. The DNA matching technology compares your genetic information with others in the MyHeritage database to identify potential genetic matches. This can be especially helpful if you’re adopted or have limited knowledge about certain branches of your family tree.

Furthermore, while using MyHeritage’s free trial version, make sure to explore their advanced search options. These search filters allow you to narrow down your results based on specific criteria such as location or time period. By utilizing these filters effectively, you can save time and focus on finding relevant information that aligns with your research goals.

Lastly, don’t forget to take advantage of MyHeritage’s support resources during your free trial period. They offer tutorials, webinars, and a dedicated customer support team that can assist with any questions or issues you may encounter along the way. By tapping into these resources, you can enhance your research skills and make the most out of your MyHeritage free trial.

Privacy and Data Security

MyHeritage understands the importance of privacy and data security when it comes to handling sensitive information about your family history. They have implemented several measures to ensure that your data is protected and secure.

Firstly, MyHeritage has a strict privacy policy in place that outlines how they collect, store, and use your personal information. They are committed to protecting your privacy and only use your data for the purpose of providing you with their services. They do not sell or share your data with third parties without your explicit consent.

In terms of data security, MyHeritage employs state-of-the-art technology to safeguard your information. They use encryption protocols to protect data transmission and storage, ensuring that unauthorized individuals cannot access or intercept it. Additionally, they regularly update their systems and conduct security audits to identify and address any vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, MyHeritage allows you to control the visibility of your family tree and DNA results. You can choose whether to make them public or private, giving you full control over who can view and access this information. This ensures that you have the final say in sharing your family history with others.

It’s important to note that while MyHeritage takes every precaution to protect your data, no system is completely immune to potential breaches. However, if a breach were to occur, MyHeritage has a dedicated team that would promptly investigate the incident and take appropriate action.

In Conclusion

After exploring the benefits of the MyHeritage free trial and the MyHeritage DNA test, it is clear that this platform offers valuable tools and resources for individuals interested in their family history. The MyHeritage free trial provides a great opportunity to experience the platform’s features and functionality without any financial commitment. It allows users to access a limited version of their vast database, explore their ethnic origins through DNA testing, and connect with potential relatives across the globe.

For those looking to take their family history research to the next level, the MyHeritage DNA test is an invaluable tool. By analyzing your genetic makeup, it can provide insights into your ancestry and help you discover connections with distant relatives you may not have known existed. The comprehensive features of the DNA test, such as ethnicity estimates and DNA matching, allow users to delve deeper into their family history and make meaningful connections with others who share their genetic heritage.

While the MyHeritage free trial offers a taste of what this platform has to offer, it is important to note that there are additional features and benefits available with a paid subscription. These include access to more extensive databases, advanced search options, and unlimited messaging capabilities. Depending on your specific research needs and goals, upgrading to a paid subscription may be worth considering.

In order to make the most of your MyHeritage free trial or paid subscription, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the platform’s features and utilize them effectively. Take advantage of the various search options available, explore different record collections, and leverage the power of DNA testing to uncover hidden connections within your family tree. By actively engaging with the platform and utilizing its resources, you can maximize your chances of making significant discoveries about your family history.

When using any online service that deals with personal data, privacy and data security are always important considerations. MyHeritage takes these concerns seriously by implementing robust security measures to protect user information. They have strict privacy policies in place and adhere to industry standards to ensure the safety and confidentiality of user data. With MyHeritage, you can have peace of mind knowing that your personal information is being handled with care.

In conclusion, the MyHeritage free trial and MyHeritage DNA test offer valuable resources for individuals interested in exploring their family history. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced genealogy enthusiast, this platform provides a user-friendly experience with powerful tools to enhance your research. From uncovering your ethnic origins to connecting with relatives across the globe, MyHeritage opens up a world of possibilities for discovering your roots. Take advantage of the free trial or consider upgrading to a paid subscription to unlock even more features and delve deeper into your family history journey. Start exploring today and embark on an exciting adventure into your past!