Have You Found Unknown Relatives Via DNA Testing?

I have a cousin I didn’t know existed, but I haven’t found her yet.  We know about her from DNA genealogy, though.  Our family has chosen not to track her down because we do not know if she is aware that her biological father is our relative.  Back then, it was probably kept a secret.  I wish there was a double-blind way for her to opt in and us to opt in, so if we mutually want to connect, we can.

How about y’all?  Have you found previously unknown relatives through DNA?

Best Friends of 17 Years Learn they’re Sisters

When Ashley Thomas and LaToya Wimberly first met, they hit it off almost immediately.

Over the years, they discovered they shared countless interests and tastes, including the same shoe size. Now, 17 years later, they’ve finally figured out why they’re so similar: they’re sisters.

The Philadelphia residents learned they’re long-lost sisters after Thomas posted photos from Wimberly’s recent engagement party online. A friend of Thomas’ mother looked at the pics and recognized Wimberly’s father.

“Ashley’s mom’s best friend told her she had no idea my dad was Kenny,” Wimberly says. “She said she and Ashley’s mom used to hang around him back when they were young. When Ashley told me, I knew something didn’t click. So I asked her to send me a picture of her mom’s best friend and showed it to my dad and asked him if he recognized her.”

The discovery led to a DNA test, which confirmed Kenny was Thomas’ father, too. While the two are “overjoyed” to learn they’re sisters, Wimberly says she also feels guilt over growing up with a dad while Thomas didn’t. “I watched Ashley go through so many things growing up and now all I can think about is that her father was here and he could have been there for her just like he was for me,” she says. “So that’s very emotional.”

Have you learned anything interesting from one of those mail-in DNA tests?