23andMe vs Ancestry: DNA tests compared - Origins Genealogy
Full article: https://originsintl.com/23andme-vs-ancestry/

Decided to take a DNA test? When it comes to at-home DNA testing, the two big choices are between 23andMe and Ancestry. 

Many of our clients want to know which DNA test is better, so Origins International (DBA Origins Genealogy) created a 23andMe vs Ancestry DNA test guide to compare the two.

When it comes to 23AndMe vs Ancestry, consider what both DNA testing kits have in common. Both share the following attributes: 

- Ranked as the best at-home genetic testing companies in the industry.
- Provide health and ancestry reports concerning family heritage and genetic predispositions to disease. 
- Require a saliva sample and analyze your DNA to ascertain where your family originated from.
- Use a saliva collection tube and cap in the DNA testing kit, a return bag, and a prepaid return label box for ease of use. 
- Provide accurate results.
- Receive positive user reviews and celebrated for company value and quality.

Although 23andMe and Ancestry share much in common, the two companies—and their respective DNA tests—have a bit of a different focus.

Ancestry is first and foremost a genealogy company, so their DNA test dovetails with their extensive database with a focus on tracing heritage and identifying biological relatives. Ancestry has the larger database of the two companies, meaning that the likelihood of finding a genetic match is potentially higher.

Where Ancestry as a company is genealogy-focused, 23andMe is above all a biotech company. Accordingly, the 23andMe DNA test has more of a health-related emphasis than that of Ancestry. 23andMe reports on a wider variety of health issues and predispositions, and give far more insight into biological traits.

Bottom line: if you’re taking a DNA test for genealogical reasons, Ancestry is the stronger option. If you’re taking it for health reasons, 23andMe is the way to go.

23andMe vs Ancestry: DNA tests compared - Origins Genealogy

Learning that your dad is not your biological father can be an earth-shattering experience.

One of the common questions people ask if they find out that their DNA doesn’t match their father is “Can the DNA tests be wrong?” 

Unfortunately, DNA doesn’t lie. When DNA tests are correctly administered, results are up to 99% accurate. 

When deep family secrets emerge, they can shake your view of the world, and of yourself. But they can also launch new beginnings.

A professional genealogist from Origins Genealogy can also help you interpret DNA results, and, if you choose, find and connect with your biological father.

Find out more about genealogical DNA testing and paternity by contacting Origins Genealogy at (801) 500-0900.

My DNA Doesn't Match My Father - Origins Genealogy

How to find an adopted sibling - Origins Genealogy
Full article: https://originsintl.com/how-to-find-adopted-sibling/

If you have a biological sibling who's not in your life, chances are you want to connect with them.

Maybe your sibling was adopted as a baby. Maybe you're the one who was adopted. Either way, you grew up without him or her in your life and now you want to connect.

If you were the adopted sibling, look to your adoption paperwork for clues to your biological family. You can request adoption paperwork from the state you were born in. Depending on the state, you may have to get a court order.

If there was no adoption agency involved, your next best step is to search adoption registries such as Adoption.com, Adopted.com, and National Foster Care & Adoption Directory Search.

You can also contact the adoption agency yourself if your parents worked with an adoption agency.

Under the many kinship care laws in many US states, it’s also your legal right to ask for your relatives about an adopted sibling. 

If you can’t find any matches with public records, move your search online like the International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR), Adoption Reunion Registry, and Family Connections DNA Program.

You can also search online, using Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and more. 

Taking a DNA sibling test is another great option. Even if the sibling you are trying to find hasn’t taken a DNA test, a close relative of theirs may have. The AncestryDNA database has over 18 million people that can be used for family mapping. 

A trusted professional genealogy company like Origins Genealogy can help you fast-track your discovery process and can help you break through barriers. 

Contact Origins Genealogy today at (801) 500-0900 to learn how we can aid you in your journey!

How to find an adopted sibling - Origins Genealogy

If you have Irish ancestry and have started tracing your Irish family tree, you’ve probably noticed that Irish genealogy is…complicated.

Irish genealogy is so difficult because Ireland has had some rough patches. Also because, from an administrative standpoint, Ireland is a complicated mosaic of recordkeeping.

After all, the country is an island; isolated from the UK and mainland Europe by water, they’ve always done things a bit differently.

To have the best success in your Irish ancestry quest, observe the following steps

1. Understand Irish history. Know the history of Ireland immensely from famine, emigration, political turmoil, religious and cultural conflict, and the many vagaries of the Irish administrative apparatus.

2. Prepare and organize. Any genealogy research, specifically Irish research, needs to be done methodically and systematically to achieve the best results. 

3. Write down all you know. Make an inventory of everything you know about your Irish ancestors, starting with your immediate parents and their parents.

4. Talk to living relatives about Irish ancestors. Older living relatives can be a goldmine of family history. Talk to parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

5. Understand Irish name variants. Generally, Irish names often had different spelling variations. Emigration exacerbated the variations.

5. Look for geographical clusters. Often, people living in proximity in Ireland would emigrate together and wind up living in proximity in America.

6. Search for other documents. Records like passport applications, manifests, naturalization records, and passenger lists can provide valuable clues to the birthplace of your ancestors.

7. Take a genealogical DNA test. DNA testing can speed up your Irish ancestry research.

8. Dive into family history through Irish records. Take a deep breath and plunge into the murky world of Irish genealogical records.

9. Get professional genealogical help. If you really want to get connected to your Irish heritage, a professional genealogy company like Origins Genealogy can fast-track your process.

If you want a free consultation about your Irish genealogy project, contact Origins Genealogy at (801) 500-0900.

Irish genealogy - Origins Genealogy

How to find my birth mother - Origins Genealogy
Full article: https://originsintl.com/how-to-find-my-birth-mother/

As an adult adoptee from a closed adoption, the decision to search—or not search—for one’s birth mother is a deeply personal choice.

If you’re an adult adoptee feeling a longing to find your birth mother and connect with her, ask yourself if you are willing to take the risk of rejection or disappointment to potentially gain an amazing connection with her and other birth relatives.

If you've made the decision to go ahead and find your biological mom,  these are some steps on how to find her:

• Gain access to your original birth certificate and other adoption records
• Research her on social media (if you have your birth mother’s name or identifying information)
•  Talk to your adoptive parents about what they know and assess their willingness to help you
•  Try to find members of your extended birth family who might be able to help
•  Search reunion registries (websites for reuniting adult adoptees with their birth parents)
•  Take a DNA test and look for genetic matches
•  Get professional help from a private investigator or genetic genealogy company

For more information, or to learn how Origins Genealogy can held you find your biological mother, give us a call today at 801-500-0900!

How to find my birth mother - Origins Genealogy

Unexpected DNA matches   Origins Genealogy
Full article: https://originsintl.com/unexpected-dna-matches/

You’ve taken a DNA test and found one or more unexpected matches.

You’re about to learn that your family tree is more complicated than you realized. In most cases, an unexpected DNA match reveals a long-kept family secret.

Infidelity. Lies. Betrayal. Most families have dark secrets hidden.

On the positive side, an unexpected match offers the chance to make new connections and discover new family members.

What to do if you find an unexpected DNA match?

1. Remain calm and rational. Strong emotions will only complicate what is a delicate situation.

2. Treat the secret-keepers with kindness and respect. You may be furious that they have kept this secret, but they were probably doing what they thought was best.

3. Engage in open dialogue, remaining as neutral as possible. Even though you’ll feel strong personal feelings, this situation is not personal to you: it affected you but was not deliberately done to you.

4. Engage a professional genealogy service like Origins Genealogy that can help you interpret the test results to help you conclusively understand the relationship of your genetic match to you.

A genealogy company can upload your DNA test results into additional DNA databases to build a more full picture and potentially identify more matches.

They can mediate between family members by showing conclusive evidence of the genetic relationship, and by explaining the story of the relationship in an impartial, experienced, and professional matter.

To learn more about how Origins Genealogy can help your situation, call 801-500-0900 or email info@originsintl.com.

Unexpected DNA Matches - Origins Genealogy

A professional genealogy service, Origins uses a combination of DNA testing, genetic genealogy, and other ancestry research to help clients find birth parents, find adopted siblings, find distant relatives, trace their family tree, get in touch with their biological heritage, and more!

23andMe vs Ancestry: DNA tests compared - Origins Genealogy

Origins Genealogy

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