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A Comparison of DNA testing at WDYTYA2014 and GGI2013 FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) is the only one of the major DNA testing companies to sponsor major genealogy events and exhibitions. Such events usually involve a set of sponsored DNA Lectures as well as an FTDNA stand offering DNA tests at discounted rates to the general public. Two recent events sponsored by FTDNA (and organised by ISOGG*) were Who Do You Think You Are in London (20-22 Feb 2014) and Genetic Genealogy Ireland at Back to Our Past in Dublin (18-20 Oct 2013). Below is a comparison of some of the statistics from the two events. Customers underwent a triage system before they took the test - an ISOGG* volunteer would explain the three main types of DNA test and help the customer decide which one might be best to address their specific situation and any particular Brick Walls they were facing in their research. Altogether, customers bought 485 kits at WDYTYA2014 and ordered 550 tests. At GGI2013, 99 kits were bought and 113 tests...

This year's Who Do You Think You Are was a great success.  There were huge crowds lining up to be DNA tested and FTDNA ran out of kits on the last day. Over 500 people were tested making this the most popular year for DNA testing yet. The DNA Lectures went down very well and the line-up of Academics and Citizen Scientists covered a rich array of topics, far broader than previous years. The good news is that many of these presentations were recorded and are slowly becoming available on the dedicated YouTube channel " DNA Lectures - Who Do You Think You Are 2014 " The full schedule of DNA Lectures is available here and below. Just click on the image for the larger version. You can read Debbie Kennett's blog about the recent WDYTYA show  here  and Emily Aulicino's blog here .