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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Aug 12, 2021
Summer Savings on AncestryDNA Test End Soon
The place to start with any DNA journey is the AncestryDNA test. Regularly $99, you pay just $59 during this sale. But the sale ends soon on 8/19/21. Click this link to save now.
Continue reading “Summer Savings on AncestryDNA Test End Soon”
Aug 12, 2021
More Great Books by the Publisher of “Finding Family”
I self-published “Finding Family” in 2012. Sales, awards, and reviews were so positive that Familius published a new edition in late 2017. Their motto is “Helping families be happy” and they have a great collection of books for families, including many wonderful children’s books. Check out their new website. To find my book, click the search icon and type in Finding Family.
Continue reading “More Great Books by the Publisher of “Finding Family””
Aug 11, 2021
Genetic Genealogy Resources for Beginners
The title of this article says 5 resources. But it’s actually five categories of resources with multiple examples in most of them. Many of the resources are good for anyone, not just beginners. Take a look.
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Aug 10, 2021
Prepare Now for Family Secrets to be Revealed through DNA Testing
Now that DNA tests can reveal deeply buried family secrets, some people are thinking ahead. This is just one example of a situation that needs to be handled differently in today’s world of surprising DNA discoveries.
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Aug 09, 2021
Debunking Three Myths About Your Immigrant Ancestors
For the vast majority of US residents, our ancestors came from other countries to find work, freely practice their religion, join family and friends already here, and escape danger back home. When compared with today’s immigration issues, it seemed different…but not as much as people think. Diane Haddad address some myths in this article.
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Aug 06, 2021
The Very Best Deal on a DNA Test is Here Now
The AncestryDNA test has the biggest user database by far. And you can use your raw data to get into several other databases. It’s now sale-priced at $59. See this page.
Continue reading “The Very Best Deal on a DNA Test is Here Now”
Aug 06, 2021
Forced to Give Up Her Baby 66 Years Ago, She Finds Her Son through DNA Testing
An 86-year-old spent decades thinking of her son, who her parents forced her to put up for adoption in 1955. DNA testing led her to a granddaughter who was looking for the same man. All three generations have reunited.
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Aug 05, 2021
A Warning About Your Images on Ancestry
According to Ancestry’s new updated Terms of Service dated August 3, 2021, Ancestry will be able to use your photos, and anything else you ever uploaded or saved, in any way they want, for any purpose, forever. Both Judy G. Russell and Roberta Estes have sounded the alarm about this. Read Roberta’s post for details.
Aug 04, 2021
A Genetic Visualization Tool
I just learned about Talking Back from Judy G. Russell’s blog. She describes one of the site’s tools that shows the historical path of your Y-DNA or mitochondrial DNA haplogroup over thousands of years. Read her post to learn more.
Aug 03, 2021
Summer Sale at Family Tree DNA
Now is the time to save on all types of DNA tests at Family Tree DNA. Use this link to order and save on Family Finder, Y-DNA testing, and mitochondrial DNA testing. Click “Shop” at the top to see all the sale options. This sale ends on 8/31/21.
Aug 02, 2021
Watch Up to 30 Genealogy Webinars for Free in September
Legacy Family Tree Webinars has created an event called Webtember. Register for free and watch live webinars on Fridays in September and many more pre-recorded webinars at your convenience. Some DNA topics are included. See the schedule and register at this link.
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Jul 30, 2021
Adding a Family Tree to Your DNA Results
Genetic genealogy works best when you combine DNA testing with family trees. In this article, Diahan Southard explains why adding the tree is important and exactly what that can do for you with each DNA test.
Jul 29, 2021
When a Relative’s DNA Doesn’t Match
What do you do if your family member’s DNA doesn’t seem to match your own? First, you should avoid jumping to negative conclusions. What to do next is the subject of this article
Jul 28, 2021
Scientists Finally Finish the Human Genome
I thought this had been done. But it was only a draft version with vast gaps and errors. Now a team of 99 scientists has finally deciphered the entire thing. They uncovered more than 100 new genes that may be functional, and have identified millions of genetic variations between people. Some of those differences probably play a role in diseases.
Continue reading “Scientists Finally Finish the Human Genome”
Jul 27, 2021
How Many Ancestors Do You Have?
That’s a question that’s hard to answer. Blogger Dick Eastman takes us through the numbers and reminds us why we all must have lots of cousins in the limbs of our family trees.
Jul 26, 2021
A Faster Birth Parent Search that Guarantees Success
Thousands of adoptees have turned to DNA tests to find birth parents that they hope are still alive. Most still face months or years of genealogical digging. Experienced researchers at Origins International can do this so much faster than you can. If they don’t find your birth parent within 90 days, you pay nothing. Use this link to learn more and get a free case review.
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Jul 23, 2021
What’s the Difference Between Pedigree Collapse and Endogamy?
If you’re using DNA to trace your family tree, you need to understand these two important terms. Roberta Estes provides an excellent explanation and shows how they can impact DNA test results.
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Jul 22, 2021
DNA Shows Early Humans Slept Around More Than We Thought
You may have read that early humans in Europe interbred with Neanderthals. New DNA evidence reveals that humans in Asia did the same with Denisovans. And there may have been others.
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Jul 21, 2021
Who Has The Largest DNA Database?
This article answers that question and more about the five major DNA testing companies. GEDmatch too. Interesting details and some historical numbers.
Jul 19, 2021
My Recommendation for Custom T-Shirts and More
I just received a hoodie with my business logo imprinted. It came from RushOrderTees and looks really nice. If you need custom t-shirts or other apparel for your business, team, or special event, this is the place to get them.
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Jul 19, 2021
Seven Siblings Reconnected through DNA Testing
“It’s just incredible what the DNA does… It has just become a really great tool that we all benefited from.” That’s a quote from one of the seven siblings in this genealogical journey that brought them all together.
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Jul 16, 2021
Save 25% on “Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA”
My publisher has agreed to temporarily reduce the price of my book. Use this link. During checkout, look for “Have a coupon?” and enter DNA to get the 25% discount. 86% of readers on Amazon give it a 5-star rating.
Continue reading “Save 25% on “Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA””
Jul 15, 2021
Two Tricks for Finding Common Ancestors
AncestryDNA has the largest database and the most trees. But it does not provide detailed shared DNA segment information. Blogger Jim Bartlett offers two tricks for finding the common ancestor in spite of this limitation.
Jul 14, 2021
9 Must-Have Books About Genetic Genealogy
Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran at working with DNA tests, you can always learn more from the best authors in the field. Family History blogger Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal provided this list of recommended books. I’ve read most of them and concur with her selections.
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Jul 13, 2021
New Podcast on DNA Testing, Adoptees, and NPE Surprises
I, Richard Hill, have been interviewed many times about my pioneering use of DNA testing to find my birth family. This new podcast episode by Brianne Kirkpatrick of Watershed DNA is my favorite. We get into a wide-ranging discussion about adoptees, birth parents, and DNA testing. I invite you to listen.
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Jul 12, 2021
A Better Y-DNA Matches Page
If you have done Y-DNA testing at Family Tree DNA, you should log into your account and see the improvements to the Y-DNA Matches Page. This follows the recent update to their autosomal DNA results. This blog post explains what’s new.
Jul 09, 2021
The GEDmatch Education Page
GEDmatch is a mostly free DNA site built for genealogy research. You can upload your autosomal DNA data from any major testing company. They now have a curated list of educational content for both new and experienced users. See this page:
Jul 08, 2021
Scientists Pursue the DNA of Leonardo da Vinci
Historians traced the genealogy of Leonardo da Vinci back 21 generations over 690 years. Now they’re going to test the Y chromosome of living men in his direct paternal line for several fascinating purposes.
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Jul 07, 2021
Interesting New DNA Features at Ancestry
Ancestry has also been adding new DNA features to its website. Blogger Kitty Cooper covers some of them and shares a link to Ancestry’s latest What’s New Video. She also covers a new breakdown for people of German ancestry.
Jul 06, 2021
Now You Can Confirm or Reject Theories of Family Relativity
One of the most powerful genetic genealogy tools is the Theory of Family Relativity on MyHeritage. It uses historical records and family tree profiles to suggest how you and a DNA match may be related. After reviewing a theory, you now have the option to confirm or reject it. Read about this and more in the MyHeritage Blog.
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Jul 05, 2021
New Features on Family Tree DNA Website
Family Tree DNA continues to invest in its genealogy platform and tools. The website has several new features and enhancements. Blogger Roberta Estes takes us on a detailed tour of all that’s new.
Jul 02, 2021
A DNA Discovery Story Unlike Any Other
As the author of “Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA,” I love to read other stories about people using DNA tests to discover lost family. While all such stories have certain elements in common, each is a unique adventure.
Every time someone uses DNA testing to bypass deeply hidden family secrets, there are bumps in the road. Michael Blair faced many such bumps and attacked them head on.
Michael’s book certainly has the most eye-catching title. And I thoroughly enjoyed the entire story. He mixes genuinely heartfelt feelings with an irreverent tone that made me laugh out loud more than once.
Jul 01, 2021
As DNA Uncovers More Secrets This Family Keeps Growing
In the 1940s artificial insemination was rare. Yet one man began selling his sperm to various doctors. Today, DNA testing has uncovered 19 siblings who were never told about the circumstances of their birth. This article follows the discoveries and the aftermath. It even includes a detailed history of artificial insemination.
Continue reading “As DNA Uncovers More Secrets This Family Keeps Growing”
Jun 30, 2021
How to Assign Relationships to Ancestry DNA Matches
A recently added feature on Ancestry lets you assign relationships to known genetic matches. This blog post covers how to do that and how it can help your genealogy research. Examples are included.
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Jun 29, 2021
DNA Revelation Leads to Lawsuit for Medical Rape
DNA testing has uncovered many cases where fertility doctors used their own sperm to impregnate patients. In this case, the doctor himself tested on 23andMe so the parent-child match was an instant shocker. This article shows the actual test results, even the family tree.
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Jun 25, 2021
DNA Connects Siblings And a Photo Explains the Match
In this heartwarming video, a brother and sister happily discover each other and meet for the first time. What’s unusual about this case is a photo that shows how his father and her mother knew each other.
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Jun 24, 2021
You Can Help Change How People Think About Adoption
Lorraine Dusky evolved from a secretive unwed mother to become a leading advocate for unsealing adoptee birth records. Her book “Hole in My Heart” is a classic in the adoption community. To reach a much bigger audience and change the way people think about adoption, she has created an expanded and revised edition. To be taken seriously for reviewing and library purposes, the book needs an index for the new facts and commentary sections. It also needs professional formatting. Lorraine has started a gofundme page to cover these costs. I read the description linked here and made a donation. I hope you will too.
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Jun 23, 2021
GEDmatch for Beginners
Andy Lee has a great series of videos on DNA testing. This one shows GEDmatch beginners four basic tools and the best order for using them. You can watch the video at this link and Skip Ads that play first.
Jun 22, 2021
Original Birth Certificates: State-By-State Access
Many adult adoptees would love to get their Original Birth Certificate. But those records are sealed in most states. A few states now offer unrestricted access. This web page summarizes the access level by state and offers some tips for requesting access.
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Jun 21, 2021
DNA Test Leads to a Big Family Reunion
DNA testing revealed that this woman and her sister had different biological fathers. A search for her biological father identified several more siblings and lead to a big family reunion. NOTE: The text for this article leaves out facts covered in the video. Watch it if you can.
Jun 18, 2021
Fine Tuning WATO to Solve DNA Puzzles
One of my favorite third-party DNA tools is What Are The Odds (WATO) at DNA Painter. Since the five DNA tests that report how many centiMorgans you share with matches have different matching algorithms, you need to make some tweaks for the most accurate results. Blogger Leah Larkin shows you how.
Jun 17, 2021
5 Clues You May Have Native American Ancestry
Today, lots of people suspect they have Native American ancestry. Genetic genealogy DNA tests are just one possible way to check that. This article lists five different clues that may suggest further investigation.
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Jun 16, 2021
A Great Example of DNA AutoClusters in Genealogy
Today, some tools automatically cluster your genetic matches into groups that all have DNA in common. But you may not all share the same ancestor. This article is a great example of how such clusters can be used to solve genealogical puzzles.
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Jun 15, 2021
DNA Reunites 90-Year Old Mom with Her 70-Year Old Daughter
Seventy years is a long time to wait. Thankfully, a genetic genealogy DNA test helped connect this 90-year old woman with the daughter she placed for adoption 70 years ago. Their happy reunion was captured in loving detail by a professional photographer.
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Jun 14, 2021
Connecticut Adoptees Can Now Access Birth Certificates
Connecticut just became the 10th state to give adult adoptees full and free access to their original birth certificates. That’s a basic human right that’s still being denied in 40 other states. You can read more in this commentary by Lorraine Dusky.
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Jun 13, 2021
Father’s Day Special Offers on AncestryDNA Test
The world’s most popular DNA test is sale priced for Father’s Day. Just $59 instead of $99. For just one dollar more, new and returning subscribers can add a 3-month World Explorer membership. Offers end June 20, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Use this link and then click See Offers.
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