''NOTE: As of 1 June 2019, National Geographic has dropped their DNA testing product and as of 1 July 2020 archived their web services supporting testers. Although a useful test when ordered outside the USA even at this time, it is no longer available. RIP NGG! Check Genographic on the InternetArchive for pages or links we may have missed in updating on our site here.
The National Geographic Genographic (NGG) project has been offering a deep yDNA SNP test since 2005. The test was originally developed with FamilyTreeDNA using their laboratories as was the initial follow-up Geno2.0 + or also called Geno2.0 NextGen. NGG is an Sequencing test that is not as extensive as BigY but now includes a full autosomal and mtDNA test result as well. Not anywhere the depth of BigY / yElite or Whole Genome on yDNA, but is a great compromise for the budget minded tester. Better than 23andMe because of the 10x greater yDNA SNP coverage. NGG provide no matching tools nor other analysis. So you must rely on extracting the raw data file from the website and uploading it to some other 3rd party analysis site. FamilyTreeDNA does still accept a transfer in of the yDNA SNP results (only). Some have been able to modify the raw data file to get autosomal results accepted into both FamilyTreeDNA and GEDMatch.
NOTE: In late 2016, NGG switched to Helix as their provider of test services in the USA. As a result, the advantage's of the NGG test in the USA no longer exist. Most importantly, this has (a) lost the ability to access the RAW data file to import Autosomal results back into GEDMatch and FamilyTreeDNA match databases and analysis tools; and (b) lost the import of the extensive yDNA SNP results back into FamilyTreeDNA. It is reported that the tested autosomal count in Helix is less than 1/2 what it is with every other company. So even if you had the ability to get the RAW data, it would not be nearly as useful for matching with so little data to start. This is a moving target that USA testers should be aware of. NGG differentiates on their order site between USA, Canada and International. It is not known at this time which kit you will receive with an order from Canada for delivery to Canada.
The National Geographic Genographic (NGG) project has been offering a deep yDNA SNP test since 2005. The test was originally developed with FamilyTreeDNA using their laboratories as was the initial follow-up Geno2.0 + or also called Geno2.0 NextGen. NGG is an Sequencing test that is not as extensive as BigY but now includes a full autosomal and mtDNA test result as well. Not anywhere the depth of BigY / yElite or Whole Genome on yDNA, but is a great compromise for the budget minded tester. Better than 23andMe because of the 10x greater yDNA SNP coverage. NGG provide no matching tools nor other analysis. So you must rely on extracting the raw data file from the website and uploading it to some other 3rd party analysis site. FamilyTreeDNA does still accept a transfer in of the yDNA SNP results (only). Some have been able to modify the raw data file to get autosomal results accepted into both FamilyTreeDNA and GEDMatch.
NOTE: In late 2016, NGG switched to Helix as their provider of test services in the USA. As a result, the advantage's of the NGG test in the USA no longer exist. Most importantly, this has (a) lost the ability to access the RAW data file to import Autosomal results back into GEDMatch and FamilyTreeDNA match databases and analysis tools; and (b) lost the import of the extensive yDNA SNP results back into FamilyTreeDNA. It is reported that the tested autosomal count in Helix is less than 1/2 what it is with every other company. So even if you had the ability to get the RAW data, it would not be nearly as useful for matching with so little data to start. This is a moving target that USA testers should be aware of. NGG differentiates on their order site between USA, Canada and International. It is not known at this time which kit you will receive with an order from Canada for delivery to Canada.
NGG Plusses:
- Deepest yDNA testing of any general test (only the new FamilyTreeDNA BigY or Whole Genome is deeper)
- Includes all SNPs like 23andMe
NGG Minuses:
- No match database nor chromosome analysis tools for the autosomal testing portion
- At least in the USA now, no access to the RAW data to then import to other sites like GEDMatch or FamilyTreeDNA
- At least in the USA now, a much smaller autosomal test sample that may pose trouble for accurate matching with other testers
External Links
- National Geographic Genographic project website
- Helix, their partner on the Geno2.0+ (aka Geno2.0 NextGen) test kit started in 2015
- International Order site for NGG