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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You don't even need an email address. It's easy to set up an RSS feed using the buttons at the bottom of the column on the left. If you're not familiar with RSS, click on the question mark above the RSS graphic to learn everything you need to know.
Aug 17, 2018
The Rules of DNA Testing
From my prior post on the Today Show interview you should be aware that your GEDmatch account can be used to help law enforcement solve violent crimes. The testing companies themselves do NOT allow such use. This article summarizes the rules.
Aug 16, 2018
CeCe Moore on Today Show with Megyn Kelly
If you're wondering how the GEDmatch database is being used to solve crimes, watch genetic genealogist CeCe Moore explain it to Megyn Kelly. This is a 10-minute clip. #DNA #TODAY #CeCeMoore
Continue reading "CeCe Moore on Today Show with Megyn Kelly"
Aug 14, 2018
Finding Family Audiobook Review: "Masterpiece! "
I just noticed the following review of my Finding Family audiobook on Audible.com. "This book was hands down the best audible book I've purchased thus far and the narrator did a wonderful job. Richard Hill went to great lengths to share his story in great detail; making certain to captivate his readers. The moment I started this book I couldn't walk away from it. I found myself listening to it at work, in the morning while putting on my makeup and in the car. Not only was his story very inspiring; considering, I'm currently awaiting my DNA results; he also included a lot of helpful information for those of us not knowing what to do next. Thank you Mr. Hill for such a great book!"
Continue reading "Finding Family Audiobook Review: "Masterpiece! ""
Aug 13, 2018
Do Mosquitos Love You? It May Be in Your DNA
In addition to far more useful information, 23andMe periodically adds new "trait" reports that are just fun to read. One new trait is Mosquito Bite Frequency. My wife has always attracted more mosquitos than me and our 23andMe results confirm that she is genetically more likely to get bit than I am. If you have tested at 23andMe, log into your account to see the new trait reports. #DNA #23andMe #mosquito
Continue reading "Do Mosquitos Love You? It May Be in Your DNA"
Aug 11, 2018
The Twilight of Closed Adoptions
I just read what may be my favorite article of the year. Besides covering the wonders of DNA tests that get around closed adoption records, the Boston Globe reviews the history of adoption, closed adoptions, and the formation of search groups. #DNA #adoption
Aug 10, 2018
Save 40% on the AncestryDNA Test
If you can only do one DNA test, I recommend the AncestryDNA test that's now sale priced at just $59. It has the largest database of potential genetic matches for genealogists and adoptees. The ethnic ancestry breakdown is one of the best. And you can use your raw data to upload for free into Family Finder and MyHeritage. Sale ends 8/20/18. #DNA #AncestryDNA #genealogy
Aug 10, 2018
Save Now on Living DNA Test
Anyone with British ancestry will be fascinated by the Living DNA test. It breaks down British ancestry into 21 sub-regions (80 world regions total). Plus, they will soon be giving us genetic matches with other testers and launching an advanced family matching system. I tested early on and have just ordered a test for my wife at the sale price of $89. Sale ends 8/31/18. #DNA #LivingDNA
Aug 09, 2018
The Groundbreaking DNA Success Story
I was the first known case of an adoptee using genetic genealogy to identify his birth family. Today thousands of adoptees and others are using these DNA tests to solve their own personal mysteries.
My book tells the whole story from my accidental discovery that I was adopted through decades of conventional research, my DNA breakthrough, and the aftermath of my reunions.
The new publisher edition also includes a Beginner's Guide to DNA Testing. It's available in print and Kindle versions on Amazon and in print at many bookstores. #DNA #adoptee #FindingFamily #RichardHill
Aug 08, 2018
DNA Confirms Warren Harding's Love Child
After nearly 100 years of rumors and historical speculation, DNA testing has confirmed that President Warren Harding had a child out of wedlock – his only biological child – with mistress Nan Britton. #DNA
Aug 06, 2018
New Filtering System for DNA Matches at MyHeritage
I have thousands of genetic matches at MyHeritage. Now I can filter them in many useful ways and even combine filters with sorting and searching. Read this blog to learn more. #DNA #MyHeritage
Continue reading "New Filtering System for DNA Matches at MyHeritage"
Aug 03, 2018
DNA Test Helps Man Discover Full Sister in France
Adoptees and others are finding lost family everywhere thanks to genetic genealogy DNA tests. This story shows just one way that can happen. NOTE: The video is more interesting than the text in this article. #DNA #adoptee
Continue reading "DNA Test Helps Man Discover Full Sister in France"
Aug 02, 2018
Every DNA Test Now Sale-Priced at Family Tree DNA
My favorite DNA testing company has announced a summer sale. Family Finder is just $59. Y-DNA tests for men now start at just $129 for 37 markers. The mtFull Sequence test is just $149. Click below and then choose "Shop" at the top of the page to see all the multi-test bundles that save even more. Sale ends 8/31/18. #DNA #FamilyTreeDNA
Continue reading "Every DNA Test Now Sale-Priced at Family Tree DNA"
Aug 01, 2018
DNA Advice for Genealogists and Adoptees
Richard Hill answers the most popular questions he gets from those seeking DNA advice.
Jul 31, 2018
When the DNA Says Your Parents Are Related
If you upload your raw DNA data to GEDmatch (for free), you can you the AYPR Tool, which stands for Are Your Parents Related. Blogger Kitty Cooper explains how it works and what it means. Using several case studies she shows how to determine the exact relationship. #DNA
Continue reading "When the DNA Says Your Parents Are Related"
Jul 30, 2018
Upload DNA for Free to New Family Matching System
Living DNA is partnering with Find My Past to launch a new DNA matching service. You can create a free account and upload raw data from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage or FTDNA's Family Finder. If you have tested directly at Living DNA, you will be automatically included. #DNA #LivingDNA #FindmyPast
Continue reading "Upload DNA for Free to New Family Matching System"
Jul 27, 2018
The Many Causes of NPEs in Y-DNA Testing
The Y chromosome passes down the direct paternal line from father to son. So do surnames in many cultures. Yet many men will find some Y-DNA matches with different surnames. There are many reasons for this and Maurice Gleeson explains them, using Irish genealogy as an example. #DNA #NPE
Jul 25, 2018
Secret Facebook Groups for NPEs
It happens sometimes. A DNA test reveals that the man who raised you was not your biological father. That's called a Non-Paternity Event or Not Parent Expected. This article covers several such stories and mentions some secret Facebook groups that help people deal with it. #DNA #NPE
Jul 24, 2018
The First-Ever MyHeritage User Conference
Want an excuse to visit Norway? Here's a good one. MyHeritage has announced a user conference, MyHeritage Live, to be held in Oslo, Norway November 2-4, 2018. Genealogy and DNA speakers include Dick Eastman, Roberta Estes, Diahan Southard and several experts from MyHeritage. The event is open to anyone, from anywhere in the world, who would like to learn more about MyHeritage – including subscribers, DNA customers, those with free basic accounts, and those who haven't used MyHeritage yet but would like to find out more. Early Bird registration is now open. #genealogy #DNA #MyHeritage
Continue reading "The First-Ever MyHeritage User Conference"
Jul 23, 2018
Where Is Your Surname Common?
This is not a DNA item. But many genealogists will find it interesting. This site shows you the counts for any surname in various countries and even breaks down those numbers into subregions, e.g. states in the U.S.
Jul 20, 2018
Surprise Match at Family Tree DNA
This woman was searching for her heritage. Her mother was adopted but instead of discovering her mother’s family, she uncovered something completely unexpected on her father’s side. #DNA #FamilyTreeDNA
Jul 19, 2018
A DNA Success Story with Endogamy
In closed societies, husbands and wives will usually have many ancestors in common. That makes DNA testing more challenging for their descendants. One example stems from Spanish soldiers who were among the earliest Anglo settlers of New Mexico. Blogger Kitty Cooper shares a detailed success story. #DNA #endogamy
Jul 18, 2018
DNA Test Bombshell Shared on 20/20 Extra
A television personality does a 23andMe DNA test to check his ethnic background. Then he looks at his DNA Relatives list and gets a surprise that impacts him and his father in a surprising way. This video does a great job of sharing his story. #DNA #23andMe
Jul 13, 2018
Man Abandoned as a Baby Finds Father thru DNA
Abandoned as a baby in a cardboard box, this man meets his biological father after 31 years. CeCe Moore put his DNA into the four major autosomal DNA databases and found his father. You can read more at this link. Then watch the full story on ABC News' "20/20" TONIGHT at 10 p.m. ET. #DNA #foundling
Continue reading "Man Abandoned as a Baby Finds Father thru DNA"
Jul 12, 2018
An Interview with Founder of GEDmatch
GEDmatch is an important public site for sharing both family trees and autosomal DNA data to find additional matches. Recently, it has also become an important resource for law enforcement agencies to solve major crimes and identify victims. This blogger interviewed Curtis Rogers, the man who started it all. #DNA #GEDmatch
Jul 11, 2018
Adopted Woman Finds Sister Next Door
This reunion did not require DNA testing. But it involved one of the craziest coincidences you'll ever read about. #Adoption
Jul 10, 2018
Don't Forget Y-DNA Testing for Men
Men have a unique advantage in genetic genealogy. We have a Y chromosome that can be tested to identify other men who share a direct paternal line ancestor with us. For adoptees and others, it can often reveal the last name of our biological father. It did for me. Family Tree DNA is the best company by far for Y-DNA testing with thousands of free surname projects run by volunteers. I recommend testing 37 or 67 markers. See this link to learn more: #DNA #Y-DNA #FamilyTreeDNA
Jul 09, 2018
Why Different Haplogroup Results?
Both 23andMe and Living DNA are primarily autosomal DNA tests. But each also checks enough mitochondrial DNA (plus Y-DNA for men) to report your haplogroup(s). Yet the results may differ from each other and from the haplogroups determined by the specific Y-DNA and mtDNA tests at Family Tree DNA. Blogger Roberta Estes explains why. #DNA #haplogroups
Jul 06, 2018
Reuniting Amerasian Children of U.S. Soldiers thru DNA
If you watched the Dateline story that I posted about recently, here is more on the man who is making such reunions possible. Jimmy Miller, the child of a Vietnamese mother and an American soldier, sends DNA tests to Amerasians in Vietnam to help them prove their parentage. Family Tree DNA provides him with tests at a discount. #DNA #Amerasian
Continue reading "Reuniting Amerasian Children of U.S. Soldiers thru DNA"
Jul 05, 2018
Genealogists Crack More Cold Cases with GEDmatch
The forensic use of DNA to catch criminals is not my focus. But a number of cold cases are now being solved by genealogists through the GEDmatch database. I applaud my friend CeCe Moore and others for helping law enforcement solve such cases. This article in the New York Times summarizes several success stories. #DNA #GEDmatch
Continue reading "Genealogists Crack More Cold Cases with GEDmatch"
Home › DNA Testing Blogs
LINKS TO THE BEST PRICES ON MY RECOMMENDED DNA TESTS
Family Tree DNA SALE ENDS 8/31/18
- Family Finder $59
- Y-DNA 37 $129
- mtDNA $149
AncestryDNA $59 SALE ENDS 8/20/18
- Ancestry $99
- Health + Ancestry $199
MyHeritage $69 SALE ENDS 8/20/18
Living DNA $89 SALE ENDS 8/31/18
Prices exclude any tax and shipping.
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