http://ldna.ancestry.com/atFAQ.aspx#about-21. What is ‘raw DNA data’?
Raw DNA data is the data that’s generated in the lab from your DNA sample, before it is processed or “translated” into usable information for family history research. The AncestryDNA test produces over 700,000 pieces of data that we use to calculate your DNA results and match you to others. The data includes SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) locations and the genetic code found at SNPs in your DNA. Genetic information is encoded in your DNA as a mixture of four nucleotides indicated by the initials A, T, C, and G. Each SNP has a combination of two alleles that encode your DNA at that location and determine your unique attributes.
The information that you’ll receive with your AncestryDNA raw data will include the ‘rs’ ID where possible, chromosome, and the base pair position on the human reference genome (GRCh37). The genotype (the observed alleles at each position) will be provided on the forward strand. The raw DNA data provided has passed the AncestryDNA data quality filters and has returned results from more than 95% of our customers, presented no more than one mismatch in duplicated runs and passed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test.
An example of raw DNA data looks like:
rsID chromosome position allele1 allele2
rs4477212 1 72017 A A
rs3094315 1 742429 A A
rs3131972 1 742584 G G
rs12124819 1 766409 G G
3. How do I download my raw DNA data?
If you’d like to download a copy of your raw DNA data, here are the steps to follow once you are on the AncestryDNA site:
1. From the AncestryDNA status page click the link ‘manage test settings’.
2. On the ‘manage test settings’ page click the ‘Get started’ button on the right under ‘Download your raw DNA data’.
3. Enter your password. This will trigger an email that will be sent to your email account on file, which will include a link to confirm download of the DNA data.
4. Open the email and click the ‘Confirm data download’ button in the email.
5. On this download page click the button “Download Raw DNA Data”.
6. The file will then download to your computer.