https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html Occasional news and tips about DNA testing as it related to genealogy, adoption, and familiy mysteries in general. en-us DNA testing Tue, 9 Jun 2026 12:19:27 -0400 Tue, 9 Jun 2026 12:19:27 -0400 dnafavorites.com https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Understanding-Unexpected-DNA-Results9ad3009d8af0058203b790e06e70aef8An NPE is an unexpected discovery about genetic parentage or genetic relationships, often revealed through DNA testing. Learn why DNA surprises happen, and where to turn next. Mon, 8 Jun 2026 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/Learn-About-DNA.html1b703b665a5d3240d5bc9b05614724bdWant to learn more about DNA testing for genealogy? Visit this page on my website for links to the best DNA education resources. Fri, 5 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Banyan-DNA-Releases-New-Version3e67ad3eb75e0d19b3d6f48874a49712Banyan DNA is a software tool for building, visualizing, and analyzing complex genealogies. See what changed in Version 1.9. Wed, 3 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Lots-of-DNA-Test-Dramaaa307dff6d744ce86c37973f900721f3If you're looking for something gripping, shocking, funny, and bizarre all rolled into one, this collection of 17 DNA surprise stories just might be it. Mon, 1 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Using-Autosomal-DNA-in-Genealogical-Research4ab05e3698e0f98d7011ea4087640dc4Learn how autosomal DNA works with traditional genealogy, Y-DNA, and mtDNA to confirm relationships and uncover deeper family connections. Fri, 29 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#DNA-Test-Solves-75-Year-Old-Mystery5cb292214f99730cdf13921380ed181dTwo families, one in Austria and one in Morocco, get their ancestor questions answered through a surprise DNA connection. Wed, 27 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Ancient-DNA-Combined-with-Modern-Genealogyef2fa8f67f2fec09ee679b6870db2d02By analyzing the DNA of 49 individuals buried in St. Mary’s City, Maryland, 300–400 years ago, scientists were able to link 1.3 million 23andMe participants to some of the individuals from Maryland’s first capital. Mon, 25 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#DNA-Leads-One-Woman-to-a-Surprise-Sisterc7077e2d67d85f1dbf6a7187e7ec7968Eva did a DNA test, hoping to find relatives in America. Instead, she found a sister and discovered their father had been a Croatian sailor. Wed, 20 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#X-DNA-Basics-for-Genealogists19f58f0738e0e24a4969bc9cb28f952fMany people are confused about X-DNA. Robert Estes explains all the basics and more in this free video. Mon, 18 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#GEDmatch-Intro-Video0aec41324c3f53f8f62dfad51d529e6fWatch this on YouTube: Getting Started with GEDmatch Tier 1 Tools | One-to-Many Essentials & Match Strategies. Fri, 15 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Switched-At-Birth-Error-Uncovered-by-DNA-Test0ca2a4f766421b1d1d2935911242cbc9Two women born just minutes apart at the same hospital in Buenos Aires have learned four decades later that they were swapped at birth, after a DNA test uncovered a serious mistake dating back to 1986. Wed, 13 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Making-Use-of-DNA-Painter6db5eb93a8beb7c4316b511f19f4da40This interview with Jonny Perl includes tips for using this popular genetic genealogy platform to more deeply analyze your DNA test results. Fri, 8 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Tips-for-Using-Autosomal-DNA-Effectively358b96043730003d935b253dc0b17db6Learn practical autosomal DNA tips to analyze DNA matches, identify shared ancestors, and make meaningful progress in your genealogy research. Wed, 6 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#The-Origins-of-Investigative-Genetic-Genealogy54f33793d7fe632aa9c11664fddcaa6fHow genetic genealogy became law enforcement’s unexpected breakthrough tool. How it works and the privacy issues. A great summary. Mon, 4 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#The-1Tool-for-Assessing-DNA-Matches4a1070d64b98426e619c9511a1694272When you get a DNA match with an unknown person, DNA Painter's Shared cM Project Tool identifies possible relationships. Fri, 1 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#An-Interview-with-Roberta-Estesd084b43a5896e1b08d3ffaf870e65c5bDNA expert Roberta Estes is a prolific blogger. Here she shares how genetic genealogy uncovered surprises and solved long-standing mysteries in her family tree. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#DNA-Test-Confirms-Patriot-Ancestor854bc470a32efc594b15a4c26dc5f604On the 250th anniversary of the United States, a DNA test led this man to a Revolutionary War ancestor. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Autosomal-DNA-Database-Growth-Chartd1db533455802f63a03d8032e3ace2fdLeah Larkin tracks the growth of autosomal DNA databases. Her latest update shares the numbers and explains the trends. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/best-dna-testing-companies.htmlab64c925f61e859017d3d32de9f6c68aAn independent comparison of the strengths and limitations of the top five DNA testing companies. Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#7-Myths-About-DNA-Testingd8e05bd9c0d6195310b0486369b6bfb6Many people hesitate to take a DNA test because of assumptions that simply aren’t true. Find the truth here. Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Korean-Adoptees-and-DNA6fdf4fcac34e9361b0a6bdc930ca3ebbOverseas South Korean adoptees struggle to reconnect with their roots decades after adoption. DNA tests are a huge help. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Clustering-vs-Triangulation-Whats-the-Differenced788e5b74c213be038ec75a635917c52Each genetic genealogy tool has unique strengths and some drawbacks. Here's a concise summary and comparison. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#A-DNA-Detective-Interviewe2d7fb6d00ae322d9e1986a08cd28495Michelle Leonard uncovers the truth about ancestry, even when it is painful. I met her when I did a DNA presentation in England. A great interview! Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#DNA-Test-Uncovers-IVF-Embryo-MIx-Upf7ec4915c66f4eb6f568f2f407aaacadTwins born 30 years ago take a DNA test and discover a bombshell truth about their parents. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/DNA-Facebook-Groups.htmlf70535d091a708f1e13a4f4214953cadFacebook is the epicenter for discussions about DNA testing. Here are some of the most useful DNA Facebook groups organized by category. Wed, 8 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#DNA-Relatives-Clustering-at-23andMe4b68a2823a0a24431feb656fc08be3f2Here's a new way to map genetic connections at 23andMe. Track down shared ancestors and visualize family branches. 23andMe+plus Premium™ members only. Mon, 6 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#MyHeritage-Traits-Video7486ad79281fadef2b88e2f4537c933dIf you generate a Traits report from your MyHeritage DNA test, you can create a traits video using AI that humorously highlights some of your traits. Here is mine. #MyHeritage #MyHeritageDNA Fri, 3 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#NextGen-Sequencing-Comes-to-Genealogyd158e4f450aa80692e407a8c65688513MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA are pioneering new technology for autosomal DNA testing with two different approaches. Learn more in this blog post. Wed, 1 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Free-Book-on-Segmentology-Fundamentals508607f4c51daf7efface9130fcb1955Download segmentology expert Jim Bartlett's new book on the ISOGG website. It flows from “What is a Segment?” to Clustering and Triangulation and beyond. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#New-MyHeritage-Tools-Introduced-at-RootsTecha07d974b15ecd7abd2bd6eff49fdc1caWatch the MyHeritage Founder and CEO share the latest developments in family trees, historical records, DNA, and AI to help users make discoveries and better understand their family history. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#An-Introduction-to-Genetics50d7506619f8e4eb149891fe2608385923andMe has a Genetics Learning Hub that includes a helpful introduction to the genetic concepts behind genetic genealogy. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Adoptees-Facing-Deportation37beaead28cdb1269abf1a9670446f6bThrough no fault of their own, many adoptees can be deported. As an adoptee myself, I find this a terrifying example. Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#The-Worlds-Largest-mtDNA-Haplotree3e7a82a666b32c2d495ba7d87e10fe88This update highlights the current state of the mtDNA haplotree, including overall branch growth, notable haplogroups, and newly added ancient connections. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Sex-Based-Interbreeding-with-Neanderthalse9bfc35093c3d57958563fedf366a77fNew research shows that interbreeding occurred predominantly between Neanderthal males and anatomically modern human females rather than the other way around. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Chinas-National-DNA-Database7cb52c698678c932d9566bfe3cf28c84Lost at a Chinese railway station at age 4, now 28-year-old Zhang Yunpeng reunited with his father through this DNA database. Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/finding-long-lost-family.htmlce58cfcc04c71bb9364d7f1fdce0ea58Learn how to find birth parents and siblings through DNA testing. Explore more than 75 links to adoptee resources. Mon, 9 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#A-Fascinating-Story-of-DNA-Discoveriesc62f9bfceee0bcfa427fd4ebbb87170fRebecca's DNA testing uncovered one surprise after another with an eventual happy ending. Thu, 5 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Big-Change-to-Family-Findera13ed23824183d7676398daac9daf56bThe Family Finder DNA test at FamilyTreeDNA has transitioned to a next-generation sequencing panel for improved accuracy and consistency. Tue, 3 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/Artifact-DNA-Testing.html07c20cc13822450090808c00a5fd61f1How to obtain the DNA of deceased ancestors through items that still contain samples of their DNA. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#MyHeritage-Whole-Genome-Sequencingce5c9b2c5b77945c35f071d9e7ced931Roberta Estes compares the new low-pass Whole Genome Sequencing test with prior results. Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Using-DNA-Testing-for-Ethnic-Ancestryd31ef179972ead8817552ffcf6f84369The publisher of my book interviewed me about this topic on their Helping Families Be Happy Podcast. Listen here or on your favorite podcast platform. Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:15:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Compare-the-Top-DNA-Testing-Companies8cc6d98e43c7e3f8b280b118c8e53a4dSeveral DNA tests can help you solve genealogical mysteries. See this page to compare the strengths and limitations of the top five DNA testing companies. Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Presenting-Comparing-DNA-Ethnicity-Estimatesf9b75970ae7287d39064b93eddf0d6b6This Friday, February 20, 2026, I will be giving a virtual presentation titled "Comparing DNA Ethnicity Estimates" for the Irish Cultural Center & McClelland Library in Phoenix. Time is 10:30 am Arizona time. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:30:33 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Epstein-Assistant-Spent-6000-on-DNA-Kits53e31123d941c27b1022669ad9269c03One of the stranger things to emerge from the Epstein files is this order of DNA test kits from 23andMe. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#New-Tool-Creates-Family-Trees-from-DNA-Matchesa07c0f0cb9d8b2e56772dba4f0e76c3aAutoKinship by Genetic Affairs builds family trees from your FamilyTreeDNA matches and more. Learn how to use it. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Y-DNA-Tree-Tops-100000-Branches044c47664e00e88b8dbe0821a0364608Learn how FamilyTree DNA has traced the lineage of all human males using individual Y-DNA testers and thousands of academic and ancient results. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#New-GEDmatch-Tool-Explained3171dc6bc75ce90dcbcd4b1300bcc5bfFor a detailed explanation of the new AutoSegment Split tool on GEDmatch, read this blog post. Fri, 6 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#71-More-DNA-Test-Surprisesc28df6b11e5a3184e026321b81a36a0cOn Reddit, people who took DNA tests and discovered way more than they bargained for shared what they learned. Wed, 4 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Mitotree-Updatesf4a8e900cc00372427448046e3a86edeIn addition to adding almost 13,000 new branches, Mitotree now incorporates more than 10,000 ancient DNA samples from archaeological sites around the world. Mon, 2 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#DNA-Sequencing-Technologies-Explained41c280c12cc5488653f8c699823b9756See this page for an overview of the major DNA sequencing technologies used in genetic genealogy, how they work, and why their differences matter. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Taken-a-DNA-test-Start-Helping-Solve-Cases-Todaydeeac0b46bf815ae431f40e6dab05f2dDNA Justice accepts uploads of raw DNA data. Upload yours to help solve homicides and identify remains. I did it. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Do-You-Hate-Finding-Your-Roots799dc40a6c316c99ed992bfd03be6fb3If you don't like Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Finding Your Roots, your bias may be showing. A good essay. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#Why-Attend-RootsTech-20262418e5b7bcf06aefaa4f7bf9b2b03affIf you’ve been wondering why you should attend RootsTech in person, this guide explores the benefits. Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.dnafavorites.com/dna-testing-blog.html#An-Interesting-Discussion-about-DNA-and-Adoptee-Searches5b6b1102d3df43b5e0106949e47b40caWatch a researcher at Legacy Tree Genealogists interview me about my search and DNA testing today. Use this link, then scroll down the page. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0500