Genetic genealogy combines DNA testing with traditional family history research to give you a clearer and more complete picture of your ancestry. It can help answer questions that records alone can’t always resolve and often adds an extra layer of confidence to the work we do together.

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This type of research uses an autosomal DNA test from companies such as Ancestry or MyHeritage. Once you’ve tested, your results can be compared with others in the same database to identify shared DNA. People who are more closely related will share larger segments, while more distant relatives share smaller ones. By studying these patterns and comparing them with known family information, it becomes possible to estimate relationships, confirm connections, and gradually build a genetic family tree alongside documentary research.

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DNA testing has become much more accessible in recent years, and many people are now exploring it as part of their family history journey. Programmes like Who Do You Think You Are?, Long Lost Family, and DNA Journey have helped show just how powerful this approach can be when combined with careful genealogical research.

Here are some of the ways genetic genealogy can support research:

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• Extending your family tree - If records are missing, incomplete, or simply stop at a certain point, DNA can help uncover connections beyond what’s written down. It acts as an additional source of evidence, helping to move research forward where paper trails run thin.

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• Confirming relationships - Family stories and historical records don’t always line up perfectly. DNA evidence can help strengthen or clarify relationships, providing an extra level of reassurance that the tree is accurate.

• Finding previously unknown relatives
DNA testing can connect you with living relatives who may hold pieces of your shared family history. These connections can open new lines of research and sometimes introduce entirely new branches to your tree.

• Helping resolve long-standing questions - Genetic genealogy can be especially valuable when exploring unknown parentage, adoption cases, or family mysteries that have remained unanswered for years.

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If you’re thinking about taking a DNA test, I’m happy to talk through the options with you and help you choose the most suitable company or type of test for your research goals before you make a purchase. If you’ve already tested, we can look at whether your existing results are suitable for analysis as part of your enquiry.

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DNA match analysis, genetic genealogy research, and reporting are charged on an hourly basis.

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If you’d like to explore how DNA could support your research, please get in touch by email or through the contact form on the website to discuss what you’re hoping to discover.