In This Article
In This Article
A DNA test can help you find missing family members and other potential relatives. The company you take the DNA test from can locate people on their database who share some of your genes.
DNA testing companies can also help you connect with them. They allow you to track down people you may be related to on some level–as long as they consent to having their data out there for potential relatives to find them.
Some people who take DNA tests may not want to be found for security reasons or because they're disinterested in furthering their family tree or history. Whatever the reason, finding relatives via genetic testing won't always show all your potential relatives. Still, there may be some people out there who don't mind connecting with relatives.
Summary
You can find family members via DNA testing by accessing the database of the testing company you bought the test from. If your potential relatives allow their data to be discovered, you can connect with them (some users may not want to be found).
It depends on the kind of DNA test you’re taking. In general, out of the several kinds of DNA testing, you want to take an ancestry test as their DNA test results will give you the answers you're seeking.
Genetic testing often analyzes segments of DNA to determine if there are similarities with others who have taken the test before, but it depends on the type.
There are three types: autosomal DNA, Y-DNA, and mtDNA tests.
Most human chromosomes are autosomes. Autosomes hold genetic information you inherit from both parents and share with everyone you’re related to.1
An autosomal DNA test can help you find people directly or indirectly related to you. This includes possible relatives from maternal and paternal lines.
A son inherits Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) through his biological father. A Y-DNA test can trace your patrilineal ancestry if you're biologically male.4
This DNA test can also help you find male relatives from your father’s side of the family. This includes your brother, father, paternal uncle, and paternal grandfather.
A child inherits mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) through their biological mother. An mtDNA test can trace your matrilineal ancestry, whether you’re male or female.5 This is because biological mothers pass down their mitochondria to their offspring, no matter their biological sex.
You can only use mtDNA tests to find female relatives from your mother’s side of the family—like a sister, mother, maternal aunt, and maternal grandmother. You can only find female relatives because only biological women pass down their mitochondria and, therefore, the mitochondrial DNA.
Summary
Finding potential relatives may differ depending on the DNA test. There are three types of DNA tests:
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23andMe DNA Test Pros
23andMe DNA Test Cons
23andMe does all three tests: mtDNA, Y-DNA, and autosomal. Combined with a massive DNA database, it's one of the most accurate tests for ancestry.
Here’s our 23andMe review if you want to learn more.
Ancestry DNA Test Pros
Ancestry DNA Test Cons
Additional services can get expensive. However, its massive database makes it one of the most trusted DNA tests, so many think it earns its price tag. You can learn more about AncestryDNA here.
Genetic ancestry testing and the DNA test results they provide can give you information about your family history and current living relatives. Here are some ways finding them via a DNA test can help you:2
Family trees stretch far and wide. You can have relatives from different places around the world and not even know it. Genetic tests can show you even your most distant cousins and unknown relatives (privacy settings permitting, of course).
Even if you know your parents and grandparents, there are other relatives you likely haven’t met. In some cases, family members may not even know about them.
An ancestry test can determine your closest potential DNA matches and help you connect with them. Having this knowledge can give you the confidence to reach out and even further flesh out your family history and even connect over common ancestors.
DNA testing can also help you reconnect with family members who may not have known they had other connections or relatives, which can sometimes be a positive experience.
DNA testing kits can match you with potential parents and full siblings. However, usually, more tests (whether DNA tests or otherwise) are needed to confirm your biological relationship.
DNA testing for distant relatives can be challenging, but finding a genetic link is still possible. Finding long-lost relatives is one of the best benefits of DNA testing.
Depending on the DNA testing companies and their privacy policies, you might be able to contact potential relatives.
It's not unheard of that DNA tests often bridge missed family connections. While not every family discovery via genetic testing has turned into a feel-good story, many have.
Summary
The first two benefits of finding DNA relatives are:
The current trend with adoptions includes an open system. This means that an adopted child may access information about his biological parents.
In the past, many adoptions were closed and discreet. Interactions between birth mothers or parents and their adoptive families were not allowed.
If you were placed in a closed adoption, a DNA test could help you track biological relatives, including your mother and father.
Further tests are needed to confirm maternity or paternity.
You can talk to a genetic counselor first before you start your search. They can better explain how DNA tests help you find relatives.
Learning about your biological family can be emotionally rewarding. However, it has practical benefits as well.
It can uncover your family’s health history and help you predict health risks. This allows you to adjust your diet and lifestyle before it’s too late.
Knowing your family’s medical history can also help you find out which genetic risks you might pass on to your children. You can use this information to consult a genetic counselor before having children.
There are plenty of congenital conditions and diseases that run in families that you may not even know about. DNA tests can give you a leg up on looking into them and early prevention if you're at risk.
Some of the most common genetic disorders are:
Summary
The next two benefits of finding DNA relatives are:
DNA tests aren’t created equally. Some are more reliable than others. You must do extensive research before choosing a brand.
If you want the most accurate ancestry tests, you should consider:
23andMe and AncestryDNA are two of the most accurate DNA tests for finding relatives. Both direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing kits perform autosomal DNA testing. They also have a large database of users.
According to 23andMe, the reliability of their DNA results depends on the relations. Their tests are 100% accurate in detecting close family relations, like parents, siblings, or first cousins. However, they are less accurate for distant relatives like second cousins.3
23andme's test can help you find third cousins with up to 90% accuracy. However, a fifth cousin only has a 15% chance of being detected.2
The same goes with Ancestry DNA. Your chances of finding closer relations are much higher than finding distant relatives.
Summary
DNA tests aren't all the same, so accuracy isn't the same across the board. It also depends on the types of DNA tests, the size of the DNA testing company's database, and the degree of the relationship being tested.
DNA tests like 23andMe and AncestryDNA have pretty large databases, which can make finding relatives a little easier.
DNA testing, when done correctly and by a reputable company, is pretty accurate. Here are some numbers and statistics:
In general, accuracy will depend on the quality of the test, if the sample is handled correctly, and how well the sample is analyzed. Mistakes can happen at any point—whether it's in the chain of custody or even just an outdated algorithm.
There have been instances where even identical twins did not receive totally similar results despite having near-identical DNA.
Still, DNA testing is wholly reliable and can be repeated or confirmed with further tests or other methods.
Summary
DNA tests are pretty accurate on average, and inconsistencies usually only occur because of someone mishandling a sample or an algorithm that is no longer up-to-date. Errors will occur as nothing is foolproof, but ancestry tests should still give you a pretty good estimate of your origins.
Ancestry DNA tests have the following limitations:
Summary
While DNA tests can tell you a lot, there's still room for improvement. They are still working with estimates rather than specifics and may not offer you a totally accurate picture of your ancestry if they have only a few people with your ethnicity in their database, among other things.
If you’re ready to find relatives with a DNA test, here are four tips to get started:
It depends on what your objective is. If you want to fill out your family tree, you can reach out to them. If you want to establish connections with family that you didn't expect, you can also try to connect.
Remember to:
It's always up to you if you want to pursue further connections. Just keep in mind that not everyone will want to be found and that certain revelations about family may not be welcomed.
Respect their wishes and leave them be. There's no reason to push further. Everyone has their own reasons, whether it's peace of mind or privacy in general.
Summary
When it comes to finding relatives, DNA testing services are your best bet. However, remember that you need to respect people's boundaries if they'd rather not connect, even if you are a genetic match.
If you make any sensitive discoveries with your DNA results, you can seek some psychological help. Your DNA testing company may even be able to recommend someone who also has genetic expertise, so you can get both the psychological and genetic insight you might need.
If you know that it's also going to affect the rest of your family or loved ones, take the time to weigh out the pros and cons before discussing it with them. Family may respond negatively or make rash decisions based on the revelations.
Summary
If there are certain discoveries you make with your genetic matches that are shocking and upsetting, feel free to seek out psychological help. Make sure you also give it some thought before sharing the information with other family members, as they may also become upset.
DNA testing companies work hard to keep their databases and all their information secure. However, they also acknowledge that some breaches may occur—and they have already occurred in the past. Still, they strive to keep their security as tight as possible.
One great thing about a lot of these companies is that they'll offer you the option of deleting your DNA data, destroying your sample, and making you unsearchable in DNA match results. You can also download your raw DNA data so you can upload it elsewhere if you want to see how other services estimate your origins.
Summary
Your DNA data is safe for the most part, though breaches can happen. Still, companies will try to secure your information as much as possible.
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