What is a Nebula Genomics DNA test?
Whole Genome Sequencing Nebula Genomics is a Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) test. Whole genome sequencing reads 6.4 billion locations in your genome, which is approximately 10,000 times more than the number of markers tested in our genealogy DNA tests. Each location of your genome is read 30 times, which results in high accuracy. After five […]
Unknown Anzacs in family photo album
Unknown Anzacs in family photo album Below I have shared two photographs of unknown Anzac soldiers found in a family photo album that belonged to a cousin of my mother. I have limited information about the soldiers in the photos, as the original owner – my great aunt – is deceased, but perhaps someone might […]
Do you recognise Pietro?
Do you recognise Pietro? Pietro never knew he had a daughter – named Franca. Franca started looking for her father, or at least his identity, after her mother passed away in 2012. Pietro would probably be aged over 100 by now, if he was still alive. Pietro was in Naples in 1942/43, where he met […]
Kathleen, your aunt is looking for you!
Joan searched for her niece for 41 years Joan Dunbar of Cairns in Far North Queensland, started searching for her niece, Kathleen, after her brother Charles died in 1980. Joan knows that her niece’s name is Kathleen, and that Kathleen was born in the mid-1960s, but she doesn’t know exactly how old Kathleen is, what […]
What is an AncestryDNA test?
What is an AncestryDNA test? An AncestryDNA® test is an easy-to-do-at-home DNA test that uses a small amount of your saliva to extract your DNA. If you can spit-a-little-bit, you can do it. AncestryDNA tests are very popular with genealogists who use them to confirm their existing research and to connect their family lines with […]
DNA Transfers: How to download a copy of your raw DNA data file & upload it to other databases to get free matches
If you have done an autosomal DNA test at any of the major genealogy testing companies, your raw DNA data file will be accessible to you from your online account. You can download a copy of your DNA data file and save it to your computer (it is only 6MB in size when zipped, or […]
Should you upgrade your Family Finder transfer?
Should you upgrade your Family Finder transfer? UPDATE: This content is no longer relevant, as since FTDNA’s major update in July 2021, all free uploads receive full match lists! Family Tree DNA’s Autosomal Transfer Program is a very popular method of getting your DNA into the Family Finder database. Why wouldn’t it be? It is […]
DNA helps find 76-year-old Child Migrant’s family after 6 decades of searching
DNA helps find 76-year-old Child Migrant’s family after 6 decades of searching Robert ‘Bob’ Taylor was almost 10 years old when he was called to the office of the Catholic orphanage where he lived in Salford, Lancashire, England. He was told that his full name was Robert Bernard Taylor, that his date of birth was […]
Tips for Using GEDmatch
[Updated 21 Nov 2023] Tips for Using GEDmatch GEDmatch is a popular website used by genetic genealogists and family historians who are incorporating DNA evidence into their family history research. Common questions asked in genetic genealogy and family history user groups include: “What is GEDmatch?”, “How do I upload my DNA to GEDmatch?”, “How do […]
What is a Family Finder test?
What is a Family Finder test? A Family Finder test is a very simple DNA test that anyone of any age or gender can do. It is called ‘Family Finder’ because it has the potential to find family. Family Finder is very popular with genealogists (family historians) looking to extend their family trees and solve […]
How to Establish a DNA Interest Group
How to Establish a DNA Interest Group Thousands of genealogists have tested their DNA for family history purposes, but from my experience it seems that many are not members of DNA Interest Groups (DIGs) or even family history societies – they are going it alone, or getting their support entirely online. These genetic genies are […]
X-DNA’s helpful inheritance patterns
X-DNA’s helpful inheritance patterns When you test your autosomal DNA at any of the five genealogy DNA testing companies (ie. Ancestry, 23andMe, MyHeritage, Family Tree DNA, Living DNA), your X-chromosome is also examined and X-DNA is included in your raw data file and your DNA match segment information. When you share X-DNA with a match, […]
atDNA: Finding Matches on All Ancestral Lines
Autosomal DNA finds matches on all ancestral lines Everyone inherits autosomal DNA from their parents: 50% from each parent, which contains a random mix of DNA segments from their parents, their parents, their parents, back for several more generations. The wonderful feature of autosomal DNA is that it can be inherited from all lines of […]
mtDNA: the Direct Maternal Line
Mitochondrial DNA – the direct maternal line Everyone inherits mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from their mother – through her mother, her mother, her mother, her mother, and so on – represented by the pink boxes on the pedigree chart below. Both males and females inherit mitochondrial DNA from their mothers, but only females can pass it […]
Y-DNA: the Direct Paternal Line
Y-DNA – the direct paternal line All males inherit Y-chromosomes from their father – through his father, his father, his father, etc – represented by the direct paternal line as per the blue boxes on the chart below. Only males have Y-chromosomes, so only males can take a Y-DNA test. If a male has an […]
Template for DNA match enquiry messages & emails
Templates for DNA match enquiry messages & emails Once your DNA results have been released, you’ll be keen to start messaging your closest matches – especially if any of their surnames or places look familiar. If you are new to genetic genealogy, follow the tips below to help you get a better response to your […]
What types of DNA tests are available?
What types of DNA tests are available? For genealogical purposes, there are three main types of DNA tests that are available: Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) tests for the direct paternal line, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests for the direct maternal line, and autosomal DNA (atDNA) tests for finding matches on all your ancestral lines. Each test type examines a different part […]
Which DNA testing company should I use?
Which DNA test should I buy? Once you’ve decided to test your autosomal DNA as a part of your family history research, the next consideration is usually which DNA testing company to use. This guide applies specifically to autosomal DNA tests with matching databases, and is from the perspective of testers living in Australia & […]
Should my siblings test their DNA too?
Should my siblings test too? This is a question often asked and heard in the genetic genealogy community. Should I test my siblings too? Would it help our family history research if siblings test their DNA? The answer depends on the type of DNA test, the makeup of your family, and your research goals. mtDNA […]
Introduction to DNA Testing for Genealogy
DNA testing for genealogy Family history groups and societies have been abuzz with excitement over recent years, as DNA testing becomes mainstream for genealogists, and more and more are incorporating DNA evidence into their family history research. Many new family history group members turn up with just DNA test results, and no prior research – […]