Deep Ancestry Report FAQ

Our Deep Ancestry Report brings together advanced population genetics and haplotype analysis to help you understand where your DNA comes from — both recently and deep in your maternal lineage. Below you'll find answers to the most common questions about how the reports work.

Note on DNA file compatibility: The Ancestry Report requires specific haplotype markers that not all third-party DNA files include. Older SelfDecode DNA files may also predate these markers. If you're being prompted to purchase a kit or aren't sure whether your file is compatible, reach out to us at support@selfdecode.com and we'll check for you.

Understanding Lineage & Ancestry Types

Can I find or connect with family members through SelfDecode?

No — SelfDecode does not offer relative matching or family-finding features. Protecting user privacy is a core priority for us, and we don't share or cross-reference genetic data between users. If connecting with relatives is something you're looking for, a platform like AncestryDNA would be a better fit.

Do you offer paternity testing?

No. SelfDecode is designed for ancestry analysis and health-related genetic insights, not for paternity or relationship verification. For paternity testing, we'd recommend a provider that specializes in that service.

Do you test paternal lineage?

At this time, the Ancestry Report focuses on maternal lineage through mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).

Paternal lineage analysis is actively planned for a future release. As new lineage reports roll out, they’ll appear automatically in your dashboard when available.

What’s the difference between global ancestry and mitochondrial ancestry?

These two views of ancestry answer very different questions:

Global Ancestry reflects ancestry from all family lines. It's most accurate for the past ~10–15 generations and shows the genetic contributions you inherited from parents, grandparents, and more recent ancestors.

Mitochondrial (Maternal) Ancestry traces your direct maternal line only (mother → grandmother → great-grandmother, etc.). It can reach back thousands of years — up to ~8,000 generations — and remains largely unchanged over time.

Because mtDNA is inherited differently, it can tell a completely different story than global ancestry. For example, you could have 100% Eastern European global ancestry while carrying a mitochondrial haplogroup that originated in East Asia thousands of years ago.

💡 Tip: Click on any haplogroup letter in your Mitochondrial Ancestry Report to explore its history and migration patterns. You can also use the question-mark icon in the report for a deeper explanation of the methodology.

Result Calculation & Accuracy

How do you determine ancestry results?

On a genetic level, people tend to share more DNA with others from the same population or region.

Our ancestry algorithm works by:

• Segmenting your DNA
• Comparing each segment against 32 global reference populations
• Assigning ancestry based on genetic similarity across those regions

Your final report shows how your DNA connects—segment by segment—to these reference populations, producing a detailed and nuanced ancestry profile.

How accurate is the Ancestry Report?

Our ancestry model consistently performs at or above current industry standards. Based on internal benchmarking and published research, the only other platforms with comparable ancestry accuracy today are 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and MyHeritage. Our algorithm meets — and in many cases exceeds — their performance by leveraging fine-grained population comparisons and advanced phasing techniques.

Why do I need to answer the Ancestry Questionnaire?

Even though we analyze your DNA directly, your questionnaire responses help us assign DNA segments to the correct parental chromosomes.

Here’s why that matters:

• DNA is read as pairs (e.g., AA, AT, GT)
• One value comes from your mother, the other from your father
• Without parental DNA, algorithms can only partially separate these

If your parents have different ancestral backgrounds, this can result in “scrambled” chromosomes, which slightly reduces accuracy.

By answering the questionnaire, you help us:

• Improve chromosome phasing (maternal vs. paternal)
• Increase ancestry accuracy, especially for admixed individuals
• Refine downstream analyses, including polygenic risk scores (PRS)

Your answers do not determine your ancestry—they simply help the algorithm assemble the results more precisely.

Additionally, ancestry information is used to calibrate health risk predictions, ensuring your results are compared against the most relevant genetic reference populations.

Explore More with SelfDecode

🤖 Meet Decody, Your AI Health Coach

Need help interpreting your ancestry or health data? DecodyGPT is built directly into your dashboard to guide you.

You can ask Decody things like:

• “What does this haplogroup mean?”
• “How does my ancestry affect my health reports?”
• “What should I explore next?”

🔗 Learn more about DecodyGPT

✨ Want the Full Picture?

For the most complete SelfDecode experience, explore the Ultimate Bundle, which unlocks all premium reports in one discounted purchase:

• Ancestry Report
• Medical Reports
• Longevity Screener
• Pharmacogenetics (PGx)
• Carrier Status

You can upgrade directly from your dashboard at any time.

📧 Have questions or want sample reports? Email support@selfdecode.com — we’re here to help.