Brief Overview

Borland Genetics is a unique autosomal DNA database where users create public DNA profiles for their deceased ancestors, using the tools and methods provided on the site. In this database, you will not only be matched against the DNA kits of living donors, but you will typically find among your DNA matches user-sourced reconstructed DNA kits for individuals who lived long ago.

History

The Borland Genetics Web Tools and Database were launched October, 2019, from an exhibit booth at RootsTech London. The Web Tools represent a natural progression from the earlier Borland Genetics Desktop Toolkit, now giving users opportunity to showcase their DNA reconstructions and collaborate with other users in new ways. Kevin Borland, the creator of the reconstruction tools, has been developing DNA technology since 2013.

Getting Started

If you are new to the site, you will need to first create a free Borland Genetics account to securely access the database and tools. After clicking on the "Create an Account" option at the top of this page (from the "More Options" drop-down menu on mobile devices), you will be guided through the registration process (creating an account password and verifying your e-mail address).

Once you've created your account, you can upload your DNA kits from Ancestry, 23 & Me, FTDNA and MyHeritage to the Borland Genetics database. While most of the tools on the site require you to upload the DNA of multiple family members, please be sure that you have read and understand the Terms and Conditions, and that you have obtained informed consent prior to uploading any DNA kits pertaining to other living donors. A tutorial on how to transfer your DNA from your testing company is provided to the left of this text.

After your DNA kits complete processing (typically takes between 4 and 12 hours), you will be able to view your matches. You can expect your match lists to dynamically grow over time as new and existing users continue to upload their kits to the database and reconstruct their ancestors using the site's tools. Upon successful processing, you too will be able to use the free tools to begin reconstructing and sharing DNA kits for your ancestors. The on-site instructions, in conjunction with a series of embedded free YouTube tutorials will have you reconstructing ancestors in no time. Or, if you should choose to subscribe to the site, you will have access to the site's automated assistant, the "Creeper," which will creep through your specific DNA resources and guide you through reconstruction workflows step by step. The Creeper is currently in beta testing and is being updated to guide users through new tasks and workflows on a regular basis.

Finally, it is highly recommended that you join the Facebook Users Group, which is a community of users who help one another learn to understand and use the tools on the site. Furthermore, you will find subscribing to the Borland Genetics blog and YouTube channel to be incredibly useful, as new educational and tutorial content is being frequently released via these outlets. You will find links to these resources as you scroll down the page.

Funding

As most of the site's tools are free, and because the matching and reconstruction algorithms require costly cloud computing (powered by Amazon Web Services), Borland Genetics greatly appreciates when users make financial contributions by purchasing the subscription features and/or by making a voluntary contribution from the upload screen. All payments are secure PayPal transactions.

Introductory Video

Video Tutorial: Uploading Your DNA to Borland Genetics