DNA Testing Update
Welcome to DNA Testing Update, my blog that keeps you up-to-date with what's new at DNA Testing Adviser. I’ll tell you about…
- New or updated articles on the website
- Significant news from the genealogy and adoption search communities
- DNA testing tips for paternity, genealogy, and adoption search
Most of my posts are deliberately brief. You can read my latest posts below; but you can also have DNA Testing Update delivered directly to your computer.
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Jun 19, 2018
DNA Test Helps Woman Find Dad and Welcoming Family
Amy's birth mother did not want a relationship and refused to name her father. Many years later this adoptee turns to DNA testing and discovers her father and a welcoming family. Her father had not known about Amy's birth. #DNA #adoption
Continue reading "DNA Test Helps Woman Find Dad and Welcoming Family"
Jun 18, 2018
Two Women Learn They Were Switched at Birth
How would you react if, at age 72, you learned you were switched at birth? In this real-life case, DNA testing at 23andMe uncovered the switch. Both women agree it was better to find out about the mistake than remain in the dark. #DNA #23andMe #SwitchedatBirth
Continue reading "Two Women Learn They Were Switched at Birth"
Jun 15, 2018
23andMe Test Leads Woman to 17 Siblings
At age 27 Shauna Harrison learned that her father was not her biological father. Her mother had conceived through a sperm donor. Five years ago she did a 23andMe test but did not find any close relatives. Now, as the database has grown far bigger, she knows she is one of at least 18 children fathered by the same donor. #DNA #23andMe #donorconceived
Jun 14, 2018
Nigerian Man Finds African American & Caribbean Cousins thru DNA
A man in Nigeria heard the story of his ancestors who were taken away in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. He wondered where their descendants might be. They were family, after all. Now, DNA tests have connected him to many cousins in America and the Caribbean. All have enjoyed a sense of belonging and completeness. #DNA #African
Continue reading "Nigerian Man Finds African American & Caribbean Cousins thru DNA"
Jun 13, 2018
X-Chromosome Solves a 100-Year-Old Adoption Mystery
X and Y are sex chromosomes. The Y, which only men have, is tested separately. But the major autosomal DNA tests include the X chromosome. Here's a case where the X chromosome played a critical role in solving a very old adoption mystery. #DNA #adoption
Continue reading "X-Chromosome Solves a 100-Year-Old Adoption Mystery"
Jun 12, 2018
5 Tips for an Adoption-Related Search
The MyHeritage blog recently featured a guest post by Brianne Kirkpatrick, genetic counselor, blogger, writer, and consultant. She provides five useful tips for an adoption-related search using DNA tests. #DNA #adoption
Jun 11, 2018
Charting Companion Now Offers a DNA Matrix Chart
The DNA Matrix reportedly helps you by showing an overview of DNA matches in a clear, simple chart. Charting Companion can also "validate" your tree by comparing actual DNA test results, against the number expected from the relationships. Charting Companion works with all genealogy programs: Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic, Legacy, Ancestral Quest, Family Historian, GEDCOM, etc. I have not had time to try this yet; but it looks interesting. I see they offer a free trial. #DNA
Continue reading "Charting Companion Now Offers a DNA Matrix Chart"
Jun 08, 2018
A Perfect Time to Test a Man's Y Chromosome
Y-DNA testing can reveal a lot about a man's direct paternal line. Matches are specific to that line and can reach much farther back in time than autosomal testing. Adoptees and other men can often learn the last name of their biological father. Nearly everything Y DNA is sale-priced at Family Tree DNA. STR tests at 37, 67 or 111 markers, or the Big Y-500 which includes all 111 markers in addition to the revolutionary Big Y test than checks the entire Y chromosome for unique mutations. Upgrades are on sale too. Sale ends 6/18/18. #DNA #Y-DNA
Continue reading "A Perfect Time to Test a Man's Y Chromosome"
Jun 07, 2018
How to Get the Benefits of a MyHeritage DNA Test for Free
If you have DNA test results from AncestryDNA, Family Finder, or 23andMe, you can download your raw data from your private account to your computer. Then you can upload the data to MyHeritage for FREE using this link: http://bit.ly/MyHeritageUpload. You get genetic matches, which you can contact, and the MyHeritage ethnicity breakdown. Like Ancestry, this company has a huge repository or genealogical records that you can access with an OPTIONAL subscription. But it costs you nothing to enjoy the DNA features. #DNA #MyHeritage
Continue reading "How to Get the Benefits of a MyHeritage DNA Test for Free"
Jun 06, 2018
DNA Solves Mystery of Man Adopted in Ireland
An American man who was adopted from a mother-and-baby home in Ireland did a DNA test. A surprise match to a cousin led him to discover five half-siblings. This story also reveals some sordid adoption practices and lies told to prevent reunions. #DNA #adoption
Continue reading "DNA Solves Mystery of Man Adopted in Ireland"
Jun 05, 2018
Living DNA Test Just $79 for Father's Day
Living DNA is a fascinating DNA test for anyone with British ancestry. The ethnicity report breaks that ancestry down into 21 subregions. No genetic matches are provided currently, but that feature is supposed to be added soon for anyone who has tested. Sale ends 6/18/18. #DNA #LivingDNA
Continue reading "Living DNA Test Just $79 for Father's Day"
Jun 04, 2018
AncestryDNA Test Only $69 for Father's Day
With over 7 million users already, the AncestryDNA test is a great choice for genealogists, adoptees and anyone interested in their ethnic ancestry. Plus, the raw data from this test can be imported into Family Finder and MyHeritage for free. Only $69 through 6/18/18. Price excludes taxes and shipping. #DNA #AncestryDNA
Continue reading "AncestryDNA Test Only $69 for Father's Day"
Jun 04, 2018
Father's Day Sale at Family Tree DNA
The best way to explore a man's direct paternal line is with a Y-DNA test at Family Tree DNA. Right now, you can save $40 on the 37-marker Y-DNA test. It's just $129. If you decide later to test additional markers, you can order an upgrade without submitting a new sample. Their Family Finder autosomal DNA test is also on sale for just $59. Anyone can take that test and it can uncover genetic relatives from any branch of your family tree. #DNA #FTDNA
Jun 03, 2018
MyHeritage DNA Test Only $59 for Father's Day
This innovative DNA test with a rapidly growing database is especially strong outside the U.S. For example, 38% of my wife's DNA matches on MyHeritage are from other countries. The $59 sale price is the lowest of any of my recommended DNA tests. Sale ends 6/17/18. #DNA #MyHeritage
Continue reading "MyHeritage DNA Test Only $59 for Father's Day"
Jun 01, 2018
23andMe Slashes Prices by 30% for Father's Day
One of my recommended DNA tests is just $69 right now and includes free gift wrap. Many experts say 23andMe is the best choice for measuring ethnicity. Plus, it has the second largest DNA database for finding genetic relatives. 23andMe does NOT accept transfers from other tests. So order now. OPTIONAL: You can order the version that includes health testing for just $139. Sale ends 6/17/18. #DNA #23andMe
Continue reading "23andMe Slashes Prices by 30% for Father's Day"
May 31, 2018
Good Tips and Advice on DNA Testing
Here's a recent Amazon review of my Guide to DNA Testing: "This book has good tips & advice to getting started with DNA testing. The author makes his recommendations & suggestions easy to understand and gives readers confidence to buy their first kit and get started." NOTE: I published the Guide as a Kindle eBook because much of the value is in the dozens of links to useful resources. Amazon provides free Kindle reading apps for computers, tablets, and smartphones. You do NOT need a Kindle device to read this or any Kindle book. #DNA #GuidetoDNAtesting
May 30, 2018
Free Video Training from MyHeritage
If you like to learn by watching videos, check out this page of DNA and genealogy videos from MyHeritage. You can register for an upcoming live webinar or watch more than 20 past videos. All is FREE. #DNA #MyHeritage $videotraining
May 29, 2018
DNA Test Reveals Fertility Doctor Fathered Patient's Child
When you do a DNA test, surprises are possible. In this very unusual case a woman gets a parent-child match with a strange man. It turns out he was her parents' fertility doctor 36 years ago.
Continue reading "DNA Test Reveals Fertility Doctor Fathered Patient's Child"
May 28, 2018
Recommended DNA Resource: Diahan Southard
At the recent NGS conference in Grand Rapids, I was finally able to meet Diahan Southard in person. She has written many Quick Guides on various DNA subjects and offers a low-cost subscription to more than 30 videos on genetic genealogy. She also does personal consultations for anyone who needs questions answered. #DNA #DiahanSouthard
Continue reading "Recommended DNA Resource: Diahan Southard"
May 25, 2018
DNA Influences Travel to Ancestral Areas
This survey confirms what many of us are seeing. When DNA testing leads people to discover more about their ancestry, they are more interested in traveling to those counties. This is particularly true of Americans since nearly all of us have ancestry from someplace else. #DNA
May 24, 2018
Legacy Tree Genealogists Adoptee Success Case
For various reasons an adoptee may choose to outsource his or her search for lost family. As in other areas of life, hiring a professional can often result in a better and faster outcome. Here's a step-by-step example where Legacy Tree Genealogists solved an adoption mystery for a client. #DNA #LegacyTree
Continue reading "Legacy Tree Genealogists Adoptee Success Case"
May 22, 2018
Reaching Out to Close Genetic Relatives
MyHeritage has just published a new guest blog post from me. I review some different scenarios regarding previously lost family members. Then I share five tips on what to do if you get a close genetic match on a DNA test. #DNA #adoptee #RichardHill
May 21, 2018
Another Adoptee/Sibling Reunion from DNA Testing
With seven million people in the AncestryDNA database, it is becoming more common for adoptees to see close family matches when they first get their DNA test results. Here's one such story with some interesting commentary. #DNA #AncestryDNA #adopteereunion
Continue reading "Another Adoptee/Sibling Reunion from DNA Testing"
May 19, 2018
MyHeritage DNA Test Now Only $79
I see that one of my recommended DNA tests is now just $79. MyHeritage is aggressively adding new users and new features. The test is especially strong outside the United States. In addition many adoptees and birth families are finding each other through this test. #DNA #MyHeritage
May 17, 2018
Why the Coming GDPR is Such a Big Deal.
I have posted recently about some negative impacts of the European Union's new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that goes into effect on 5/25/18. Even if you are outside the EU, this law affects anyone asking for email addresses. This blog explains why and what to do about it. #GDPR
May 15, 2018
Shutting Down My Newsletter
Due to the onerous requirements and risks under the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), I am shutting down my newsletter. The following notice has been sent to my 6500 subscribers with an explanation. Following my DNA Testing Adviser Facebook Page is a great alternative.
May 15, 2018
Genetic Genealogy Sites Closing Ahead of GDPR
The new EU regulation on data protection and privacy is killing off some longtime resources in genetic genealogy. World Families Network, Ysearch, and Mitosearch are all shutting down. Roberta Estes provides the details in this blog post. #GDPR
Continue reading "Genetic Genealogy Sites Closing Ahead of GDPR"
May 14, 2018
TIP: Connect Family Tree to Your 23andMe Account
23andMe is one of my recommended DNA tests. It does not display trees on site. But you can now add a link to your tree that your matches can find. Log in to your 23andMe account and follow this path: Tools--DNA Relatives--Manage Preferences. Scroll to the bottom and click "Share a link to your online family tree." WikiTree and RootsWeb are good choices because your matches can see the tree without having an account there. #DNA #23andMe
Continue reading "TIP: Connect Family Tree to Your 23andMe Account"
May 11, 2018
Why Many Americans Think They Have Cherokee Blood
Did you take a DNA test expecting to confirm Native American ancestry? This article explains why Cherokees have intermarried with Europeans since the 1600s, diluting their ancient DNA. It also explains why Cherokee ancestry became a popular but false legend in many families. #DNA #Cherokee
Continue reading "Why Many Americans Think They Have Cherokee Blood"
Home › DNA Testing Blogs
LINKS TO THE BEST PRICES ON MY RECOMMENDED DNA TESTS
- Family Finder $59 SALE PRICE
- Y-DNA 37 $129 SALE PRICE
- mtDNA $199
AncestryDNA $69 SALE ENDS 6/18/18
23andMe SALE ENDS 6/17/18
- Ancestry $69
- Health + Ancestry $139
MyHeritage $59 SALE ENDS 6/17/18
Living DNA $79 SALE ENDS 6/18/18
Prices exclude any tax and shipping.
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