Should I trust those DNA tests that help trace my ancestry?

Question

Should I trust those DNA tests that help trace my ancestry?

Answer 1

The companies that perform these types of tests will be able to tell you generalizations about your ancestry - i.e. 45% caucasian, 35% subsaharan african, 10% east asian, 10% native american indian.  Some companies can break these numbers down further.  They are able to obtain these numbers by looking for specific markers that are common to certain racial/ethnic groups.  However, there is some overlap, so you will see in any report a level of "standard deviation", where they know the percentage is x, but it could also be as high or low as y.  Should you trust the results?  Yes, as a tool, but not as an absolute.

Answer 2

SIMPLY NO NO NO.