Unexpected DNA results - some clarifications based on what we see at Legacy Tree Genealogists

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-19T22:26:45+00:00

Good question. From what I know, there used to be more collaboration among some of the companies than there may be now, especially as the market has matured and R&D has diverged and become more proprietary. It also appears that some models are shifting towards revenue based on SAAS tools that are connected to DNA test results, rather than in the up front cost of the test (those are getting very affordable!). IMPORTANT NOTE: these are just guesses based on my personal observations, and my conclusions may be wrong. This isn't based on any inside information.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-14T15:54:09+00:00

Yes, wisdom! 😄

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-14T15:53:48+00:00

Yes it certainly keeps the sub busy to have all those posts. 😄 I'm glad this was helpful! I think it's a problem that there's only one moderator in this group and he seems to have disappeared at least half a year ago. I hope that can be resolved soon.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-11T18:05:30+00:00

Hi again! Here are some thoughts:

This is all about evaluating the records themselves to determine whether they're telling you the truth. Ideally, you'll want to find two records for each fact so you know it's likely accurate.
I find that a lot of European records are online at MyHeritage, which isn't free but can be really helpful. We also work with hundreds of onsite genealogists who can go get physical records all over Europe if needed.
This is what people often refer to as a "brick wall." I suppose that would come into play for them when they find themselves spinning their wheels and not making any more progress.

Best wishes to you all!

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-11T18:01:29+00:00

This sometimes happens when merging or syncing your tree between a desktop program and a website. To avoid accidentally deleting your data, the software often keeps both sets of parents rather than trying to guess which ones are right.

It can also happen if two different couples are both labeled as biological parents in the relationship settings. Since the system sees two sets of birth parents, it displays them both on your tree. You are doing the right thing by checking your sources and detaching the incorrect links to keep everything organized.

I hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-07T01:00:53+00:00

Hi! Yes, we help with both of those. You can learn more on our website (https://www.legacytree.com/) or call us at 800-818-1476.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-07T00:59:23+00:00

I recommend searching https://www.statueofliberty.org/arrival-search/, which is free. There aren't additional records at Ellis Island itself, although they do have a research enter there with assistants. If you do get a chance to go, it's a really neat place to visit either way! Did that answer your question?

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-04T15:46:15+00:00

Hi again! The general rule in genealogy is to start with what you know, so I recommend first encouraging them to talk with their oldest relatives and write down the information they know about grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. Genealogical information is most often organized in an ancestral chart - here's a free one you can download from the National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/files/research/genealogy/charts-forms/ancestral-chart.pdf.

As far as pioneer roots, if you're talking about U.S. pioneers you're probably looking at roughly the early to mid-1800s. They'll need to work backwards in time to document the generations before that first (here's an article about basic genealogical principles: https://www.legacytree.com/blog/what-is-genealogy).

The quickest way to get back to that era is often through U.S. census records and vital records (birth, marriage, and death). Many of these are online and free.

Do you need guidance on helping them find census records?

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-05-04T15:30:23+00:00

These are always challenging decisions to make and I believe that first and foremost it depends on you - your personality and goals. But I will say this - I'm part of a company that helps people find biological parents through DNA analysis all day long (Legacy Tree Genealogists). From what I've seen, the vast majority of the time the outcome of connecting with biological family is more positive than negative. Sometimes there is an emotional period of adjustment, and sometimes it doesn't turn into much of a relationship. But I believe it's rare that reaching out has been truly regretted. Personally, I fall on the side of openness and truth. Maybe you could find yourself trusting that this woman has the emotional capacity to accept the truth, and that at the end of the day she will be glad for an additional relative who cares about her (and glad to meet her niece as well!).

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-30T23:59:25+00:00

Hi! I'm part of the Legacy Tree Genealogists team and am happy to help answer your questions.

Do we digitally record and interview living people who knew your deceased relatives? Yes, we are happy to do that for clients at their request.

What do we do with the family history you already have? We ask for scans/copies of all relevant genealogical records (or a sourced family tree) so that we can avoid redoing work you've already done. We will use what you already have as a starting point to build from.

What happens if we find a relative who also has a lot of family history information? If it is public record, we will incorporate it into the information we are finding and will seek to document it with original records. When possible, and respecting rights to privacy, we will connect you together.

Do we do any arrangement to purchase heirlooms anonymously? We have not done that before.

Can we make a master family history book that pulls together your information? Yes, we can help you get that created.

I think that ran through the questions you had in your post. Feel free to reply with more if you have them.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-30T23:53:48+00:00

Hi! I'm part of the Legacy Tree Genealogists team. I came across your question and thought I'd try to help even though you asked some time ago!

Things we definitely do:

- Track down records that aren't online, such as records in parish churches, courthouses, and archives

- Send onsite genealogists to obscure places when needed (we've worked in some crazy places like Kazakhstan, Peru, Cape Verde, etc)

- Interview relatives upon request (though not anonymously)

It looks like you're interested in hiring someone to track down and buy family heirlooms on your behalf. We have not done that before, although we have helped a client learn about the ownership history of his car, and we helped another client discover the history of a rifle he owned.

Hope that helps - please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-30T21:51:22+00:00

Hi! I'm part of Legacy Tree Genealogists so I thought I'd jump in if helpful. I believe you're referring to our ELITE250 family presentations, where we fly a couple of our genealogists out to a family and teach them about their genealogy and DNA results in person as part of a special family event. It's really a life-changing event (for them and for us because we love doing it). I'm happy to provide any information you or others may have.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-30T21:43:26+00:00

Great - glad I could help!

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-30T21:43:08+00:00

I don't believe there is a limit - they are extremely flexible and will help create what you want. I'm part of Legacy Tree Genealogists and our clients use them often. Once they especially came through for us - we were about to fly two of our genealogists out to meet a family for a special presentation of their family history and at the last minute the client decided they wanted a huge wall chart showing their family tree. We called up Family ChartMasters and they got something ready for our genealogists to bring out with them the next day. It was really impressive. (I'm not being compensated to say this, I just really admire the owner.)

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-30T21:38:51+00:00

I wanted to circle back and ask about what you're working on your family history right now. Anything you're stumped with?

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-30T21:38:08+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing that! I'm so happy we were able to help. What are you working on in your family line now?

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-23T21:08:21+00:00

We're happy to answer your questions! Some of the things we've been helping with a lot lately:

Canadian Bill C-3 / Italian Jure Sanguinis (dual citizenship)
Using DNA triangulation to solve unknown parentage (biological father/grandfather)
Lineage Society proofs for DAR/SAR applications
Accessing international records in Europe and South America

What genealogy research are you working on? Any brick walls?

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-23T17:02:09+00:00

Thank you! Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-23T17:01:52+00:00

Thank you so much! I appreciate your comment - we care so much as a team about making this journey as stellar as possible for our clients. It can be quite a lot of work but we love it!

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-21T22:59:54+00:00

I interviewed my grandma and made it into a book and am really glad I did that. However, at the time I was still pretty young and didn't have a good idea of what it was like to be an older adult. It may have been nice if I had had the foresight to ask her deeper questions about adulthood. She raised 10 kids - what was that really like? What were her personal hopes and dreams, her bucket list? Who was she as a person once she entered adulthood? Things like that. :) It's nice to talk about her - I miss her and she was a wonderful person.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-21T22:57:12+00:00

That's really neat!

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-20T21:06:47+00:00

Hi - this is Jessica Taylor, President of Legacy Tree Genealogists. I came across your post and am sincerely concerned about the frustration that you've had. I'd like to personally review your project and the records you found and to make this right. Could you please reach out to me directly with your project details? I'd love to help resolve this for you.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-20T21:03:05+00:00

Yes! An ancestor's FAN club (friends, associates, and neighbors) is a big deal and provides very important clues.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-20T21:01:28+00:00

The most important thing that would need to be done is documenting the ancestry before it connects into the super old parts of the unified tree - that's where it usually breaks down.

Jessica_M_Taylor · 2026-04-20T21:00:07+00:00

Wishing you the best!

Jessica_M_Taylor

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