One of the most common things I hear from clients is this: “I don’t have any information. I don’t even know where to start.” They often say it with hesitation, sometimes with embarrassment, as if they are already behind before the work has even begun. But in DNA-based genealogy, no information is not a dead end. In many cases, it is more than enough. DNA Does Not Need a Starting Story Traditional genealogy relies heavily on records and known facts. Names, dates, places, famil

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

For many people, the question of an unknown biological father is not just about names or records. It is about identity, medical history, and understanding where you come from. The uncertainty can feel overwhelming, especially if you believe there is little or no information to work with. The good news is that DNA has changed what is possible. Even when traditional records are silent, there is often a clear and practical place to begin. Start With What You Know Before testing

For many adoptees, DNA testing feels both hopeful and intimidating. Stories online can make it seem either effortless or impossible, often leaving people unsure what to expect before they begin. Adoptee DNA searches are powerful, but they are frequently misunderstood. Separating myth from reality can make the process feel more grounded and less overwhelming. Myth 1: DNA Will Immediately Reveal My Birth Parents One of the most common misconceptions is that a DNA test will deli

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

Most people begin a search for biological family with a clear goal in mind. A name. A connection. An answer to a long-held question. What they often do not expect is how emotional the process can be, even when things go well. This kind of search is not just about facts. It is about identity, belonging, and stories that may have been missing for decades. And once those doors start to open, feelings tend to follow, whether you invited them or not. The Emotional Build-Up Happens

Reaching out to a genetic genealogist is rarely a casual decision. Most people arrive with a mix of hope, hesitation, and a lot of unanswered questions. Sometimes they’re searching for a biological parent. Sometimes they’re an adoptee trying to understand where they come from. Other times, they’ve hit a genealogical brick wall so solid that nothing else seems to work. If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens when you work with a professional genetic genealogist, here’s a

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

DNA has a way of feeling powerful. A test kit can unlock answers that records never could. It can connect people, reveal long-held truths, and sometimes change how someone understands their own story. Because of that power, ethical boundaries are not optional in DNA and genetic genealogy. They are essential. Without them, DNA research can cause real harm, even when the intentions are good. DNA Is Not Just Data When we work with DNA, we are not working with neutral information

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

At some point in a DNA investigation, the list of matches stops being helpful on its own. You may have dozens, or even hundreds, of matches. Names, usernames, shared centimorgans, and trees. Plenty of information, but no clear direction. Everything feels scattered, and it can be hard to tell which connections actually matter. This is often the moment when cluster analysis becomes the turning point. When Individual Matches Are Not Enough Looking at DNA matches one by one can

When people first look at their DNA match list, it often feels overwhelming. Hundreds or thousands of names appear, most of them unfamiliar, and all with different amounts of shared DNA. It is easy to assume that the biggest numbers matter most and that smaller matches can wait. In practice, some matches stand out right away. Not because they are closer relatives, but because they offer clearer, faster insight into where your DNA comes from. Shared DNA Is Only the Starting Po