Genealogy Chat

If a person thought they may have a sibling or siblings and they took a DNA test, because they have no other proof, would it connect to anyone. how does it work?

Florence in the hebrides

You can do a dna test that proves you are related to x or not. You both have to take the test.

A genealogy dna test such as Ancestry will give you matches to All those who dna match with you. These companies indicate how they think they may be related but this is not always correct as you don’t inherit equal amounts of dna.

ALL parties would have to be tested

Ok Ty for your replies,I'll pass it on to a friend of mine.They dont know if they have any unknown siblings,but some family gossip has suggested so they want to know if a DNA test would prove anything.

Florence in the hebrides

That puts a bit of a different light to it. Your friend is unlikely to find anything unless the ‘other one’ has tested.

Ah I thought that might be the case nameslessone and told them, but thought would check on here as I have little knowledge about DNA.

Florence in the hebrides

But a dna couid point to other family members and if they have their tree on ancestry then names in their tree could match with another tree

Means doing subs though and putting their own tree on ancestry too

But the friend is only looking siblings. It is a bit expensive if they are not doing family history research.

Then again - they may get lucky. The relatives of the other side of a half sibling would not be a dna match.

Very true namelesslone

Depends how keen they are trying to trace family


It can work though .I have several matches some of whom am already in touch with but one match came up with a female name in both our trees

My grt x umpteen grandfather a widower in 1850 married a widow ,they went on to have further children one of whom is my direct ancestor

The match was descended from one of the children of the widows first marriage

The dna match showed our connection :-)

BUT.................... all this depends on the OTHER people having taken DNA tests

None of it is possible from ONE person's test in isolation

The person isnt doing family tree research. they heard a family story that someone may have had a child that could be a sibling.They asked my advice on whether a DNA test like they do on that tv show, born without a trace or something could link them to someone who could possibly be a sibling.

I said I didnt think with so little info. it would be possible as the person has no idea who the mother is and no way of finding out.

Thanks for your help ladies, as always much appreciated

Florence in the hebrides