If you’ve spent any time researching your family history, you’ve likely encountered a moment where progress simply stops. Records disappear. Names change. Stories conflict. No matter how carefully you search, the answers just aren’t there. These are often called genealogical brick walls, and they can be deeply frustrating, especially when you’ve done everything “right.” Autosomal DNA analysis has changed how many of these brick walls can be approached. While DNA doesn’t repl

Genealogical research often begins with records. Census schedules, birth certificates, marriage licenses, wills, church registers, and land deeds form the backbone of traditional family history research. In many cases, these documents provide enough detail to build accurate and meaningful family trees. But for many researchers, progress eventually slows or stops entirely. Records disappear. Clues conflict. Questions remain unanswered. This is where frustration sets in, and wh

DNA testing has become one of the most powerful tools in modern genealogy, but not all DNA tests serve the same purpose. One of the most common sources of confusion is understanding why there are different types of tests and which one applies to a specific research question. Autosomal DNA, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial DNA each follow different inheritance paths. Knowing what each test can and cannot do helps set realistic expectations and leads to better research outcomes. Autoso

When people first look at their DNA results, their attention is usually drawn to the closest matches. Parents, siblings, first cousins. Those relationships feel familiar and immediately meaningful. By comparison, second cousin matches often seem distant or unimportant, easy to scroll past in favor of something that looks more obvious. In reality, second cousin matches are often some of the most valuable clues in genetic genealogy. Understanding why requires shifting how we

Many people begin DNA testing with a clear hope. A name. A confirmation. A missing piece finally falling into place. What often comes as a surprise is that DNA results do not always deliver answers right away. In many cases, they raise new questions first. This is not a failure of DNA testing. It is part of how genetic genealogy works. Understanding why this happens can make the process feel less overwhelming and help set realistic expectations from the start. DNA Reveals Pat

When people receive their DNA results, the first reaction is often a mix of curiosity and confusion. Pages of names, numbers, and unfamiliar relationships appear, and it’s not always obvious what matters and what doesn’t. This post walks through how I approach DNA match analysis at a high level. Not every case follows the exact same path, but the overall framework stays consistent. The goal is always the same: to turn raw DNA data into something meaningful, usable, and ground

And How I Approach Uncertain Outcomes One of the hardest truths about DNA work is this: Not every case ends with a clear answer. If you are starting a DNA search, especially one involving unknown parentage or missing family connections, it is natural to assume that DNA will eventually reveal everything. After all, DNA feels definitive. Scientific. Certain. But real-world DNA analysis does not always work that way. Why Some DNA Cases Remain Unresolved DNA does not exist in a v

One of the first questions people ask when starting a DNA investigation is simple and completely understandable. “How long will this take?” The honest answer is that DNA investigations do not follow a fixed timeline. Some cases move quickly. Others unfold slowly, in layers. Most fall somewhere in between. Understanding why timelines vary can help reduce frustration and set realistic expectations from the beginning. Why DNA Investigations Do Not Have a Set Timeline DNA analys

When someone reaches out because they don’t know who one of their biological parents is, the details are always unique. Every story has its own history, emotions, and unanswered questions. And yet, after working many of these cases, certain patterns appear again and again. Not because people are the same, but because human stories tend to echo one another in quiet ways. Here are some of the most common patterns I see in unknown parentage cases and why recognizing them can ma