Your DNA matches can give you clues to the identities of your unknown ancestors! Here's how Susan learned more about a mystery birth father: her 3X great grandfather. Susan from Grass Valley, California has long wondered who was the biological father of her 2X great grandmother, Cornelia Ann. “She...
Y-DNA can reveal a Scottish clan connection! A researcher uses YDNA to trace her Canadian great grandfather's origins, and finds much deeper roots in the MacDougall clan. (Oh, and some more recent connections, too.) Margaret Clarke of British Columbia, Canada, set out to trace the lineage of her...
Family rumor said grandpa’s birth father was not who everyone thought it was. Here’s how DNA testing shed light on the gossip–AND revealed more about grandma’s ancestry, too!
Combining DNA test types is a great strategy for tackling specific family tree questions. Here’s how one researcher used YDNA + autosomal to explore whether shared surnames in an ancestral place meant everyone was actually related.
A DNA mystery is SOLVED when Shane turned to genetic genealogy to find his 2X great grandfather. Together, DNA + documents identified an ancestor who lived under two different names.
Finding birth parents of an adoptee isn’t always easy. This concept from the DNA Skills Workshop helped this woman identify the biological parents of a DNA match who was adopted.
Finding birth parents of a foundling ancestor is a challenge DNA can often help with. See step-by-step how one researcher is finding answers for an Italian “brick wall” ancestor on his wife’s family tree.
Splitting genetic networks sorts your DNA match list into different sides of your family tree. See the reaction on video as this helped one researcher confirm the identity of her 3x great grandparents. Dividing genetic networks CAN help you identify your brick wall ancestors!
Finding her great grandfather wasn’t easy, but she did it. See how this intrepid DNA detective is learning to use genealogy to fill in some of the gaps on her family tree.
This XDNA case study shows how XDNA may give you clues about how you’re related to your DNA matches and who your common ancestor might be. XDNA is an excellent genetic genealogy strategy!
These descendants are bringing together white and African American descendants of an enslaver to rebuild their full biological family tree and document their shared legacy.
A Korean adoptee (KAD) who did DNA testing to explore his birth roots shares his feelings and recommends support organizations—including free DNA testing for Korean adoptees. Back in 2019, we shared an unforgettable story about two sisters born in South Korea. Separated as children, they were each...
Learning about her father’s birth family led to his adoptive family—and his own childhood. Thanks to DNA testing for family history and some diligent genealogy research, now she knows more about his TWO families.
Pay it forward! It can feel just as rewarding to help your DNA matches break down their brick walls as it can be to solve your own family history mysteries. Check out this inspiring story—and how easy it was to help.
Finding immigrant ancestors—and tracing them to an overseas birthplace—can be challenging. Here’s how one researcher used DNA to confidently identify an ancestor’s family and place of origin. His methods led to a new cousin—and a Portuguese branch on his family tree.