Ancestry DNA Kit Part 1

I patiently awaited for the DNA kit at Ancestry to go on sale over the holidays. Finally, on January 3rd, I noticed the lower price tag … and ordered mine! Admittedly, a small tinge of anticipation went through my bones. I’m fascinated at our ability to use DNA in this manor and very excited to see what mine holds. I have no doubt that German and Scottish DNA abound, but you just never know what else could be lurking in there … Viking, perhaps? I’m very curious about how it can help me prove some assumptions about my heritage. Of course, finding living relatives will be the bonus!

Don’t tell anyone, but I actually squealed when the kit arrived in today’s mail. I snapped a few photos with my phone to show you what’s included.

The cover is pretty straightforward … just enough to cause some misguided glee! 

When you open it, you have instructions … I felt a little bit like CSI Sara Sidle! Sad, but true.

The instructions are easy, not at all scary. Activating your kit online at Ancestry is what ties it to you and your ancestors. Included is a tube to collect your saliva, a collection bag (see, CSI!), and a box in which you mail everything to the lab.

You have to wait at least 30 minutes after consuming anything … food, water, coffee, gum, cigarette, whiskey … before providing a saliva sample. Then a few other steps to stabilize your saliva and seal the tube, and off to the mailbox it will go!

Tomorrow morning.