23andMe Historical Matches is their newest 23andMe+ Premium feature. Learn more about the Historical Matches you may share DNA with. 23andMe Historical Matches In March 2024, 23andMe rolled out Historical Matches, a new feature for 23andMe+ Premium members. It compares your autosomal DNA test results to whole genome profiles that have been extracted from the remains of people who lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago. (These DNA samples from long-deceased people are referred to as historical DNA or ancient DNA.) Historical Figures and Groups So who are the historical figures that your ..read more

Informed consent for DNA testing is important. Here are five things to consider when getting informed consent for DNA testing. Informed consent for DNA testing Have you have taken a DNA test, and after getting your results, realized that having a relative take a DNA test would be helpful for your genetic genealogy research? But maybe this relative is not familiar with DNA testing. How can you encourage them to take a test while also making sure they understand what’s all entailed in taking a DNA test? Informed consent for DNA testing is crucial: the tester should understand what all they’re ge ..read more

DNA test sales can often be found throughout the year. Sonja shares certain holidays and events when DNA tests typically go on sale. Have you ever purchased something only to find that the item then goes on sale soon after? I have, and it can be frustrating! If you’re purchasing tests for family members or testing at multiple companies, the price of DNA tests can add up. However, before you buy a test for a friend or family member, make sure you have their prior and informed consent first. Do DNA tests go on sale? Fortunately, just like nearly any other product, DNA tests do go on sale! Also l ..read more

Indigeneity and DNA can be a complex topic. Miya Jensen offers 9 pros and cons of DNA testing for indigenous communities.   Thank you to Miya Jensen for writing this guest blog post. Miyamoto Wilson Jensen is a professional genealogist who specializes in Polynesian genealogy.   What is the concept of indigeneity? Indigeneity is defined as “a quality of a person’s and a group’s identity that links them to specific places with knowledge of and respect for original ways” (1). This also includes multifaceted practices and beliefs that a people encompass to connect them to communities of ..read more

You can now share your MyHeritage DNA results with a collaborator! We’ll explain how to share your DNA results, how to view DNA results shared with you, and how this can help you in your DNA research. Share your MyHeritage DNA results with a collaborator MyHeritage now allows you to share your DNA results with a collaborator! This is great news if you are working with a professional such as a DNA coach and want an easy way to share your DNA results with them. This is also a safer way to share your DNA data (instead of sharing your MyHeritage account log in information, which is unsafe and agai ..read more

Your DNA Guide is celebrating the first 25 years of genetic genealogy! Get the free commemorative book and watch the special RootsTech celebration with several genetic genealogy pioneers. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the birth of the field of genetic genealogy as we know it! To celebrate, Diahan Southard has gathered reflections and stories from 34 key voices and visionaries from the field in a book called So Far: Genetic Genealogy, the First 25 Years (1999-2024). Here’s what she told those who contributed: “Leaders in genetic genealogy have witnessed and participated in nothing les ..read more

Did you miss RootsTech 2024? Check Out Diahan Southard’s You Can Do the DNA! FREE Series, a five-part series on how you can use DNA for family history. Were you unable to attend RootsTech 2024, or just want to watch Diahan’s RootsTech presentations again? We’ve compiled her You Can DO the DNA! FREE Series here in one convenient place! Check out each video below as well as the additional resources mentioned in each presentation. You Can DO the DNA #1 of 5: Get Started (or Restarted) Whether you haven’t taken a DNA test or you did but got discouraged and abandoned the effort, it’s time to take a ..read more

BanyanDNA is a new tool to help you analyze your DNA matches, especially for complicated relationships. But there is something cool EVERYONE can use it for. And here are key tips for getting started. When using DNA for family history, one of the important steps you take is to check that your genetic relationships to your matches are consistent with the genealogical relationship you’ve assigned them on your family tree. What does BanyanDNA do? BanyanDNA is a new tool that helps you visualize your family tree and analyze your relationships to matches. One thing it does is alert you if your amoun ..read more

YDNA testing revealed a Sutherland clan connection Kathleen wasn’t even looking for–but only after she had to unravel not one but two misattributed fathers on a family tree! Read about how Kathleen used both YDNA and autosomal DNA to rebuild her paternal family tree. Some family mysteries take a lot of time, effort, and techniques to unravel, especially when there are multiple surnames involved. This was the case for Kathleen, a genealogist and Your DNA Guide customer. After learning valuable skills and techniques in our DNA Skills Workshop, YDNA for Genealogy course and Endogamy course ..read more

Surname changes in genealogy can create confusion when you’re looking for your family. Connie explains some reasons why a family would change their surname. Surname Changes Have you encountered unexpected surname changes in your DNA? Family historians rely on surnames as a guidepost while we research, and when a surname changes and that guidepost disappears, we fear we are going off course. This can especially be true in YDNA research, when we are researching paternal lines. If the YDNA results show a different surname than the one you were initially searching for, you may have to alter your g ..read more