Genetic Genealogy

Family Tree DNA is a great site for finding DNA matches and learning more about your ancestry. In this post, learn how to upload your DNA to the site.

Read here to find out what to do when you get a close DNA match. Plus, learn a few strategies that might help you find out how you are connected.

“Low sharing” is a term often used by genetic genealogists to describe an amount of DNA that is towards the low end, or even lower than the bottom range of the typical amount of shared autosomal DNA for two people for a given relationship.  In this post, you’ll learn: Note:  “Low sharing” is a term …

If you are brand-new to genetic genealogy, this post is for you.  I’ll explain the basics of genetic genealogy so you can easily learn how to use your DNA results to build your family tree and discover genetic relatives. You will learn: Exactly what autosomal DNA is The meaning of a centimorgan The definition of …

If you took a DNA test, you should know that your DNA matches are actually the best part of your results. In this post, learn what you can do with your DNA matches.

If you know that you have half-siblings, or you think that you might, it’s completely natural to be curious about them.  As DNA testing becomes more popular, it becomes easier to find living DNA relatives, including half-siblings, around the country – or even world.  In this post, I’ll explain some strategies for finding your half-siblings …

Do you want to learn the meaning of European Jewish? In this post, learn what this term means, a bit about the history of the European Jewish people, and the answer to other common questions. I first began wondering about the meaning of European Jewish when I first saw my Ancestry DNA results and saw …

Is common to have a DNA match who matches both sides of your family tree? In this post, learn whether this is possible and how it happens.

If you have Mexican ancestry, you might be wondering whether or not you have Native American DNA.  Or maybe you already did a DNA test, and you want to know more about how and why your Mexican roots might show up as Native American on a DNA test.  In this post, I’ll discuss this, plus …

Do you have cousin matches that show up as a potential third cousin to you?  In this post, learn what a third cousin DNA match really is. You will also find out: what it means to have a third cousin DNA match how much DNA you share with a third cousin whether or not your …