Could DNA help you secure an Irish Passport?
Introduction In recent years, more and more people in the UK have been interested in securing an Irish passport—especially since Brexit has changed travel and residency rights for UK citizens. For many, an Irish passport means staying connected to Europe, claiming family heritage, or opening doors for work and travel. But what happens if important […]
An Exploration of Jewish Family Names
Whether you are a Jewish researcher, or a non-Jewish researcher, if you are on this site, you probably want to know more about the history of Jewish surnames to help you with family history. We asked leading Jewish genealogist Dan Stepel to write something helpful to assist your understanding. The Sacred Script of Our Surnames: […]
Adoption and DNA
What adoption records are online? Which adoption records are available for free? You may have very little information to begin with. Perhaps you are an adoptee yourself, or maybe one or both of your parents were adopted. Great care and caution is always needed when embarking on a search involving familial adoption. In general, the […]
How to find my father with just a name?
How to find my father with just a name? This is a very commonly asked question. People have been given a name of their father, but they know very little about him. He may have left the area where he once lived. He may have returned to his home town within the UK, made a […]
Who was my British Grandfather?
The rise and popularity of family history websites has enabled people to investigate questions from long ago. Many of us have gaps in our family history, where we simply do not have the full details about one of our grandparents. Perhaps there is a name, half a name, or merely a story to account for […]
Who is the best DNA Detective in the UK?
Louise Baldock, founder and director of Finding Families, works with her team on hundreds of private cases for clients every year. She is also a consultant and case solver for Davina, Nicky and Ariel at Long Lost Family, particularly specialising in identifying birth parents for foundlings on the Born Without Trace programme. She has worked […]
Putting your family jigsaw together – Using DNA to identify birth family – a film
This 40 minute film was made for an appearance at The Genealogy Show in Spring 2022. It takes us through what DNA is, and how it can be used to work out who our birth father and birth mother are. You might particularly enjoy the section on smarties (Louise discovered later that day that she […]
DNA tools you can use to help
DNA Genealogy is a mix of two disciplines: understanding how DNA works and how it is distributed amongst biological families, and good old-fashioned family history. Here we will share some tools and websites that you will find useful if you want to try this yourself. Tools for DNA – understanding the likely relationship between two […]
What is a second cousin, once removed or half?
Understanding precise family relationships People can use terms like cousin quite loosely. However, in genealogical terms, and particularly when working on DNA genealogy, it is vital to understand exactly how people are related and get the terminology right. If you are going to navigate your way through the complexities of a search for a birth […]
DNA testing: The practicalities and how it works
Which company should I use to test my DNA? There are a number of companies offering tests, and each has a slightly different offer. There are various studies online which evaluate the different options, and you can find them if you Google around a little. The important thing you need to know if you are […]