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.
How do I subscribe to DNA Testing Update?
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.
Dec 18, 2018
$59 Sale on AncestryDNA Test Ending Soon
Genealogists and adoptees should definitely do the AncestryDNA test. It has the largest database by far and the raw data is accepted for free uploads into the databases at Family Finder, MyHeritage, and GEDmatch. The sale ends on 12/24/18 and the price will return to $99. To get the kit by Christmas, order by 12/19 and choose expedited shipping. #DNA #AncestryDNA
Dec 17, 2018
A Wild and Humorous DNA Reunion Story
Since my groundbreaking DNA reunion with biological family more than a decade ago, hundreds of stories have been published. This one, from The New York Times, is one of the strangest yet. #DNA
Dec 13, 2018
Join Me at This Online DNA eConference
I will be one of four speakers at an online DNA conference on January 26, 2019. Other speakers are Dr. Maurice Gleeson, Tim Janzen, and Andy Lee. All you need is an Internet connection. After the last session, you'll receive a replay link that is accessible until February 26, 2019. The Early Bird price for the entire event is just $19.99. Use this link to learn more and register. Scroll down to see the Early Bird price. #DNA
Dec 12, 2018
Get Your Ancestors' DNA from Envelopes
A company in Australia is now offering a service to extract DNA from envelopes and postcards with stamps. If your ancestor licked them, you may be able to get their DNA into GEDmatch for genealogical research. NOTE: This is a new service and I have no idea how successful it will be. But I get questions all the time about this possibility. If you're interested, check out their website. #DNA
Dec 11, 2018
Watch Dr. Phil Get His DNA Test Results
Afternoon television icon Dr. Phil was given the results of his MyHeritage DNA test in front of his studio and national TV audiences. Watch this video to see what he learned and what he thought of the test. #DNA #DrPhil
Dec 10, 2018
A Peek Inside the Amazing GEDmatch
You have probably heard how the GEDmatch database has been used to solve cold-case murders. Here's a brief summary of the Florida man behind GEDmatch and how this came to be. #DNA #GEDmatch
Dec 07, 2018
Another Cool DNA Match Tool for Chrome Users
Many useful extensions are being created for the Chrome internet browser. Blogger Leah Larkin describes a new one that works with our AncestryDNA matches. #DNA #Chrome
Continue reading "Another Cool DNA Match Tool for Chrome Users"
Dec 06, 2018
Finding Missing Persons with DNA
In this video presentation from Genetic Genealogy Ireland Debbie Kennett reviews many cases in Britain and the U.S. where DNA has been used to find missing people. #DNA
Dec 05, 2018
Holiday Sales on My Recommended DNA Tests
Every one of my favorite DNA tests is having a holiday sale right now. If you're a genealogist, adoptee or just curious about your ethnicity, this is a great time to order a DNA test for yourself or to give as a gift. If you're already into genetic genealogy, it's a good time to stock up on kits for family members. #DNA
Continue reading "Holiday Sales on My Recommended DNA Tests"
Dec 04, 2018
Automatic Clustering of Autosomal DNA Matches
One of the hottest new tools for working with our DNA matches is Genetic Affairs. Blogger Kitty Cooper shares a good example of how automated clustering puts our DNA relatives who are related to each other into visual groups so we can quickly see which line a new match is related on. #DNA #GeneticAffairs
Continue reading "Automatic Clustering of Autosomal DNA Matches"
Nov 30, 2018
DNA Success Stories at Family Tree DNA
FTDNA has published several interesting DNA success stories on their website. Here's one of them and you can link to others once you're there. #DNA #FTDNA
Nov 29, 2018
Free Videos from MyHeritage LIVE Conference
All the videos of the first MyHeritage LIVE conference are online for free! Now you can view every lecture, with video of the presenter and a close up of their slides. #DNA #MyHeritage
Continue reading "Free Videos from MyHeritage LIVE Conference"
Nov 19, 2018
From Sperm Donor to Dad
Many donor-conceived individuals have uncovered their biological fathers and many siblings through DNA tests. This NBC article shares many stories and provides some resources for those impacted. #DNA #spermdonor
Nov 15, 2018
Shared Ancestral Places for DNA Matches
MyHeritage has launched a new feature for DNA testers. Shared Ancestral Places refer to towns, countries, or U.S. states that appear in your family tree as well as in the family trees of your DNA Matches, where birth or death events of your ancestors (and those of your DNA Matches’ ancestors) took place. Learn all about it in their blog post. #DNA #MyHeritage
Nov 13, 2018
Who Do You Think You Are? Returns December 3
New episodes of the TV show that explores celebrities' family histories will begin airing on Dec. 3. TV stars Mandy Moore, Josh Duhamel, Matthew Morrison and Regina King will be featured this time. Watch for the show on the TLC network.
Continue reading "Who Do You Think You Are? Returns December 3"
Nov 08, 2018
Recap of First-Ever MyHeritage User Conference
MyHeritage held their first user conference this month in Oslo, Norway. I did not attend. But I did enjoy this summary with lots of photos and some fascinating new capabilities announced. #DNA #MyHeritage
Continue reading "Recap of First-Ever MyHeritage User Conference"
Nov 06, 2018
Get More Replies from Your DNA Cousin Matches
Many of your genetic matches from a DNA test have the knowledge you need to expand your family tree or find lost family members. This blog post shares 13 secrets for getting them to answer your inquiries. #DNA
Continue reading "Get More Replies from Your DNA Cousin Matches"
Oct 31, 2018
Learn About the Orphan Trains
Between 1853 and the 1920s, the Orphan Train Movement relocated more than 120,000 children from the New York area to rural families in the Midwest and even as far as Texas. Blogger Dick Eastman has written an interesting summary.
Oct 30, 2018
A Great Birthday or Holiday Gift for Readers
Here's the latest review of my book on Amazon: "Richard Hill’s book describes his twenty-five year search to find his biological parents. At eighteen years old, he learns, accidentally, that he was adopted. His quest is a fascinating read; filled – at different turns - with disappointment, elation, frustration, and hope. He draws you into his quest. You root for him to succeed. Mr. Hill is a wonderful writer. His book is an easy read. This book would be an excellent birthday present or Christmas present for anyone interested in a fast paced mystery story or in family genealogy. Great fun."
Continue reading "A Great Birthday or Holiday Gift for Readers"
Oct 29, 2018
Avoid Unauthorized Resellers of DNA Test Kits
Some people buy DNA kits during sales and then resell them on sites like Amazon and eBay. AncestryDNA has issued this warning: "DNA kits that are fraudulently purchased and then resold through Amazon may be deactivated by AncestryDNA, and may not be eligible for a refund." Our safest option is to buy directly from the testing companies. #DNA #AncestryDNA
Continue reading "Avoid Unauthorized Resellers of DNA Test Kits"
Oct 26, 2018
New Features on AncestryDNA Tests
Ancestry has added some new features to our DNA test results. The amount of DNA in centiMorgans that we share with each match is now easy to see. Same for the number of shared segments. There's also a new Matches Map that shows the listed location of our U.S. matches who have provided that information. #DNA #AncestryDNA
Oct 25, 2018
Why Adoptees May Feel Guilty About Searching
Many adoptees feel guilty about searching for their biological family. This adoptee shares why she took so long to begin her search. But now she advocates for searching. #adoption
Continue reading "Why Adoptees May Feel Guilty About Searching"
Oct 24, 2018
New Chromosome Browser at Family Tree DNA
Family Tree DNA has always provided a chromosome browser. Now that tool has been revised and improved to be more powerful and more intuitive. If you have done their Family Finder test, log into your account and try it. If not, maybe you should do the test. They have many other great tools for working with your matches. #DNA #FTDNA
Continue reading "New Chromosome Browser at Family Tree DNA"
Oct 23, 2018
Research Paper from 23andMe Data
I ran across this research paper from the American Journal of Human Genetics. It's titled "The Genetic Ancestry of African Americans, Latinos, and European Americans across the United States." It's a long and detailed dive into the subject. #DNA #23andMe #AJHG
Oct 18, 2018
Y-DNA Test Settles Fatherhood Question
Bob Zins grew up believing that the man who raised him wasn't his father. Decades later he turns to Y-DNA testing at Family Tree DNA to find the truth. #DNA
Oct 17, 2018
How to Take Advantage of Free DNA Tests
Right now you can get into three of the top four testing company DNA databases for just $69. And this doesn't even count the optional free upload to GEDmatch. Read my Free DNA Testing Strategy page to see how. Even when the cost goes back to $99, it will still be a great deal. #DNA
Oct 16, 2018
GEDmatch in the New York Times
When Curtis Rogers and John Olson started GEDmatch as a side project, they had no idea that the site would someday be much more than a genealogical tool. Now the New York Times tells what happened. #DNA #GEDmatch
Oct 12, 2018
Free Webinar on Y-DNA Testing
If you're curious about Y-DNA testing, you should register for this free webinar. The speaker is Diahan Southard, one of my favorite DNA speakers. The title is "The YDNA Test Should Be Your Favorite" and the time is Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 6:00 PM PDT. #DNA #DiahanSouthard
Home › DNA Testing Blogs
LINKS TO THE BEST PRICES ON MY RECOMMENDED DNA TESTS
Family Tree DNA SALE ENDS 12/31/18
- Family Finder $49
- Y-DNA 37 $99
- mtDNA $139
AncestryDNA $59 SALE ENDS 12/24/18
23andMe SALE ENDS 12/25/18
- Ancestry $69
- Health + Ancestry $139
MyHeritage $49 SALE ENDS 12/16/18
- Free Shipping for two or more kits
Living DNA $79 SALE
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