DNA & Genealogy DNA Testing and Genealogy: What Your Results Really Tell You Millions of people have spit into a tube and waited anxiously for their DNA results to arrive. But once they do, many people aren't sure what to do next. Here's what your DNA test actually reveals and how to use it as a powerful genealogy tool. The Three Main Types of DNA Tests Not all DNA tests are created equal. The type you choose determines what questions it can answer about your ancestry. Autosomal AncestryDNA / 23andMe Tests DNA from both sides of your family. Best for finding cousins and close relatives. Useful back roughly 5–7 generations. Y-DNA Paternal Line Passed father to son only. Traces your direct paternal line deep into history. Essential for surname research. mtDNA Maternal Line Passed from mother to all children. Traces your direct maternal line. Very stable across centuries. Ethnicity Estimates: Exciting, But Not Evidence The colourful ethnicity pie chart is usually the first thi...

Genealogy Tips 5 Things to Do Before You Start Your Family History Research Every family has a story waiting to be told. But before you dive into census records, ship manifests, and courthouse archives, a little preparation can save you weeks of frustration and lead you to discoveries you never expected. 01 Talk to the Oldest Living Relatives First Your greatest genealogical resource may be sitting right at your family's Thanksgiving table. Grandparents, great-aunts, and elderly cousins hold memories like names, places, and stories that exist nowhere else on earth. Record these conversations. Even a simple voice memo on your phone preserves details that no archive can replace. Ask about full names, nicknames, birthplaces, immigration stories, and occupations. The stories they share will become the roadmap for everything that follows. 02 Gather the Documents Already in Your Home Before searching online, search your own home. Birth certificates, marriage licenses, military discharge ...