DNA Test Experience: Test Type Result

The results are in. Many more people responded to the 2014 survey than last year, likely more people have taken a DNA test for genealogy, and thanks to social media more people got to hear about it. Thanks to all who promoted the survey and to those who reported their experience.

Yesterday I reported on the experience with the various testing companies. Today opinions about the various types of test are reported. The question was "What was your overall level of satisfaction with the type of test or tests involved as far as utility for your genealogy?"

In order of the percent reported to be very satisfied:

Y-DNA STR (12, 25,37, 67 markers etc), 66 respondents were very satisfied or satisfied, 6 dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, a 10:1 favourable ratio.
Autosomal DNA: 85 respondents were very satisfied or satisfied, 8 dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, a near11:1 favourable ratio.
Y-DNA SNP: 34 respondents were very satisfied or satisfied, 2 dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, a 17:1 favourable ratio.
mtDNA: 55 respondents were very satisfied or satisfied, 11 dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, a 5:1 favourable ratio.

And with too few votes to take seriously

Other: 9 respondents were very satisfied or satisfied, 1 dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, a 9:1 favourable ratio.

The most favourable ratio rating for the Y-DNA SNP test likely reflects the specialised nature of the test with people who take it being more advanced users.
Autosomal and Y-STR are similarly favourably regarded, by about 10 to 1.
There were more respondents for the autosomal than Y-STR test, the reverse of last year.