Ancestry.com, a prominent genealogy platform with over 2 million subscribers, is currently owned by the private equity firm Blackstone Group, which acquired it in December 2020 for approximately $4.7 billion.

This acquisition marks a significant chapter in the company’s ownership history, which has seen various transitions since its inception in 1983.

As curiosity about family roots grows, understanding who owns Ancestry.com reveals not just corporate changes but also the evolving landscape of genealogical research. What does this ownership mean for users? Let’s explore the implications together!

Who Owns Ancestry.com?

The question “Who owns Ancestry.com?” might not be as straightforward as it seems. As one of the leading genealogy services available, Ancestry.com’s ownership history involves several prominent companies and strategic acquisitions.

Let’s take a closer look at its current ownership.

Who Owns Ancestry DNA?

Ancestry.com, a leading genealogy platform, is currently owned by the Blackstone Group, which acquired it for $4.7 billion in December 2020. This acquisition marked a significant transition for Ancestry, shifting its focus from solely genealogical research to include health-related services as well.

Blackstone has committed to maintaining user privacy and data protection, stating that it will not access or share user DNA data with other companies in its portfolio.

Ancestry customers retain ownership and control over their personal data, with the company emphasizing its commitment to privacy under new ownership.

A Look at the Ownership

As it stands today, Ancestry.com is owned by a notable private equity firm called Blackstone Group. Blackstone acquired the genealogy giant managed by Permira funds in 2020 for a whopping 4.7 billion dollars – marking another significant milestone in the ownership journey of Ancestry.

Yet, it’s essential to note that this journey has had its fair share of twists and turns over the years. For instance, before falling under Permira funds’ management, Ancestry.com was purchased by Spectrum Equity Investors alongside various minor stakeholders back in 2007.

Overall, understanding who owns Ancestry.com requires formidable knowledge about numerous acquisitions over decades – each acquisition representing a new phase in this popular platform’s life cycle.

When did Ancestry.com Start?

Established back in 1983 under an entirely different name – Infobases Inc., the company that would ultimately fashion itself into what we know as Ancestry evolved dramatically both structurally and ideologically since its inception.

Paul B. Allen and Dan Taggart originally established Infobases Inc. – two graduate students from Brigham Young University with a vision for providing computer power to Latter Day Saints (LDS) Publishers. They began by distributing LDS Church publications on floppy disks!

In 1997 after several name changes including acquiring Family History Library but particularly driven by increased internet usage at that time domain name “Ancestry.com” was chosen officially – thus beginning an era of digital genealogical research for millions across the globe

Over time and with various leadership changes, their mission has remained consistent—helping users retrace their roots.

Still, the technology offering this opportunity has evolved at an impressive pace. In 2009, the company launched an iPhone App, and later in 2012 its DNA testing service is known as AncestryDNA was launched.

Also Read: Who Owns MyHeritage?

Who Bought Ancestry.com?

As we delve into the online genealogy world of Ancestry.com, it’s intriguing to uncover not just the past lives of users’ families but also the life and transitions of the company itself. Changes in ownership have played a huge role in shaping what the platform has become today.

Recent Transitions

In recent years, Ancestry.com has undergone significant changes as an organization, transitioning between several hands for a variety of reasons:

The Permira Transaction: In 2012, a private equity group led by Permira bought Ancestry.com for $1.6 billion. The acquisition by this European private equity firm was seen as an opportunity to expand its international reach and enhance user experience.
The Silver Lake and GIC Acquisition: Fast forward to 2016, leading investors Silver Lake and GIC acquired significant equity stakes in the firm. This investment collaboration aimed to propel innovative technology solutions that make family history easy for everyone.
Blackstone’s Game-changing Purchase: The most recent change came in December 2020 when Blackstone acquired Ancestry from Silver Lake, GIC, Spectrum Equity among other shareholders for $4.7 billion. Blackstone sought to capitalize on increasing customer interest in learning about their family backgrounds and health through genetics. With this deal now complete, they currently hold majority ownership of the company.

These transitions depict a dynamic shift in who owns Ancestry.com driving its innovation powerhouse ever forward on its mission to help people discover their story.

Also Read: Best US and Canadian Genealogy Websites: Your Key to Ancestry

Who Owned Ancestry before Blackstone?

Ancestry.com was acquired by Blackstone Group in December 2020 for approximately $4.7 billion. Prior to this acquisition, the company was owned by a consortium of private equity firms, including Silver Lake, GIC, Spectrum Equity, and Permira.

Blackstone’s purchase marked a significant transition for Ancestry, which is recognized as a leader in genealogy and DNA testing services, boasting a vast database of historical records and genetic data.

Blackstone has committed to not accessing or sharing user DNA data, addressing privacy concerns associated with the acquisition

Previous Owners Before Blackstone

Silver Lake Partners: A private equity firm that was one of the major stakeholders in Ancestry prior to Blackstone’s acquisition.
GIC: Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, which also held significant shares in Ancestry alongside Silver Lake.
Spectrum Equity: This firm was involved in Ancestry’s ownership earlier and played a role in its growth.
Permira: Another private equity firm that had a stake in Ancestry before it was sold to Blackstone.

The transition to Blackstone marked a pivotal moment in Ancestry’s evolution from a genealogy service to a high-value technology company, leveraging its extensive database and subscription model to drive growth.

What Does This Mean for Users?

As a user of Ancestry.com, you might be asking yourself what these changes in ownership mean for you. Will they affect the security of your data or the quality and breadth of services offered? Let’s dive in to understand these aspects better.

Privacy Concerns

Privacy has always been a top concern for users when dealing with sites like Ancestry.com, which harbor personal data. Changes in ownership can usher in new policies and methodologies regarding how user data is handled.

For instance, when Blackstone Group bought Majority Stake in Ancestry.com, there were concerns about how this acquisition might change the manner of operations concerning user data privacy.

It’s worth noting that anytime an organization undergoes such a transition, its new leadership may choose to revise previous terms and conditions about privacy.
Whenever there are changes, it is essential that users are vigilant. Take note of any revised policies and understand their implications on your usage of the platform.

It’s not all doom though! Sometimes change brings better protection standards and stronger encryption mechanisms to enhance information security. Thus while changes could potentially impact your privacy negatively, they could also work towards enhancing user data safety measures.

Service and Operations

Another potential outcome from a change in ownership pertains to the services offered by Ancestry.com.

There could be significant improvements aimed at enhancing user experience as new owners bring fresh ideas to boost operational efficiencies.
In 2016, after Silver Lake and GIC acquired majority shares in Ancestry.com via Permira funds (before Blackstone), they expanded their genetic testing capabilities remarkably!

On the flip side,

We have instances where transitions result in cuts on expenditures thus diluting quality of service provided.
A shift from genealogy service as core focus due to entry into unexplored ventures can deviate existing services rendering once vibrant functions inactive.

In summary, the key is to stay informed. Changes can bring exciting enhancements or unexpected turns, but at the end of the day, understanding more about who owns Ancestry.com and their plans gives us a better grip on what to expect as users of this platform.

Also Read: Uncover 1890 Census Substitutes for Genealogical Insights

Tracing Back Previous Owners

Digging into the roots of Ancestry.com is fascinating, just like researching one’s family tree. So, I’ve compiled a synopsis here to give you a better sense of its intriguing history.

Timeline of Ownership

Ancestry.com’s ownership has seen quite a change since its launch:

The genesis begins in 1983: Paul Brent Allen and Dan Taggart, two Brigham Young University graduates started Infobases and started creating floppy disks with LDS Church information.
Later in 1997, Infobases morphed into what we now know as Ancestry.com.
In 1999, the company decided to go public and was listed on NASDAQ under the ticker ACOM.
It shifted gears once more in 2012 when it was acquired by Permira, a European private equity firm, taking it off the public market.
Then in 2016, Silver Lake and GIC Private Limited purchased majority stake marking another significant transition.
Fast-forwarding to 2020; another major shift happened when Blackstone Group decided to buy Ancestry.com for $4.7 billion.

It’s been quite an evolution, hasn’t it? Now let’s delve deep into how each holder impacted its growth.

Business Impact

Each era of ownership introduced new aspects that contributed significantly towards business expansion:

Infobases Era (1983 -1997): Allen and Taggart focused on filling data gaps making genealogy accessible via compact disks. This established them as pioneers embedding technology with genealogy.
Initial Public Offering (IPO) Era (1999 – 2012): The IPO gave Ancestry.com an opportunity to raise capital that funded further research and development increasing usage.
Permira Reign (2012 – 2016): Permira’s influence resulted in considerable expansion into global markets. This period saw a significant increase in user base and diversity.
Silver Lake and GIC Private Limited Stint (2016 – 2020): In this era, there was increased investment in technology to improve user experience and diversification of data making Ancestry.com’s database more comprehensive.
Blackstone Group’s Takeover (2020 – Present): It’s still early days with this leadership transition so it might be too soon for tangible impact evaluation. Still, under Blackstone’s watch, Ancestry.com has continued to grow its user base.

Ownership changes clearly played an influential role in shaping what the company has become today. Each owner has contributed to molding Ancestry.com into the household name it is now by expanding its reach, services, and overall impact on users around the world.

Also Read: Best UK and Irish Genealogy Websites: Your Ancestry Guide

FAQs

Who are the investors behind Ancestry.com?

Ancestry.com is owned by a group of investors led by Blackstone Group, including GIC Pte Ltd, Silver Lake, and others, who bought the majority shares in the company.

How does ownership affect my use of Ancestry.com?

Changes in ownership may influence policies about user privacy and data handling but typically don’t directly affect the regular use and quality service provided by Ancestry.com.

What are some notable achievements under its current leadership?

Under Blackstone’s current leadership, Ancestry.com has expanded its product lines with new health-focused offerings while maintaining subscription growth and sustaining customer retention.

Did the demand for genealogy services influence who bought ancestry.com?

Yes, increasing interest in personal heritage and genealogy factored into why firms like Blackstone saw potential value in purchasing ancestry.com due to its leading position within this growing industry.

Is my information secure with the new ownership of Ancestry.com?

While any change shifts some uncertainties around data handling procedures, established tech companies like Blackstone are generally expected to uphold stringent security measures to protect user information on platforms like ancestry.com.

Also Read: DNA Doesn’t Match Your Identity?

Conclusion

In the end, its owned by the Blackstone Group, has experienced significant transformations since its inception. This private equity firm, along with partners like GIC Pte Ltd and Silver Lake, has influenced the platform’s expansion and service offerings.

The ownership changes have not only enhanced Ancestry.com product lines but also raised concerns regarding user privacy and data handling.

Overall, the evolution of Ancestry.com reflects a dynamic interplay between investment strategies and user experience, shaping it into a leading genealogy service today.