Unraveling Jane’s DNA Mystery Part 3: “A Sister Lost, A Family Found”

Continued from: https://buildingdnabranches.wordpress.com/2025/05/09/unraveling-janes-dna-mystery-part-2-truth-uncovered-in-a-criminal-past/In the first chapter of Jane's journey, she is not merely a name. She is a shadow—a child who vanished without a trace. Catherine Brewer, a fortune teller with ties to a secretive, nomadic community, raised her under a false identity. This upbringing obscured Jane's past with layers of deception. It wasn't until …

Unraveling Jane’s DNA Mystery Part 2: Truth uncovered in a Criminal Past

Part 1: https://buildingdnabranches.wordpress.com/2025/05/09/unraveling-jane-does-mystery-a-dna-search-for-identity-part-1/ After a lifetime lived in the shadows, Jane had finally begun to uncover the truth—one DNA match at a time. With the help of a search angel, she pieced together the outline of a life that had been stolen from her: a different name, a different family, and a childhood that vanished …

Unraveling Jane Doe’s Mystery: Part 1-A DNA Search for Identity

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” — C.S. Lewis She didn’t know her name. Not really. Not the one she was born with. The one whispered in a hospital room or inked on a birth certificate—if one even existed. All she knew …

When the Tables Turn- Genetic Truths- the DNA Dark Side

DNA has the power to crumble the brick walls, fit puzzle pieces together, spark joyful reunions and reveal the deepest mysteries hidden in a family tree. Sometimes, people test for fun to find the answers of — should I wear a kilt or lederhosen? Or to chase the dream of royal bloodlines (Alas, no noble …

Siblings: Using sibling records to make BIG discoveries

"A sibling may be the keeper of one's identity..." - Marian Sandmaier RootsTech RelativesRootsTech is just wrapping up this weekend in Salt Lake City, UT. Along with RootsTech, there is a feature called RootsTech Relatives. It's a unique feature on Family Search, offered during the convention, where you connect the Family Search collaborative tree to …

Getting Started with your own DNA Branches

“You’ve got to know yourself so you can at last be yourself.” D. H. Lawrence The first step to discovering your genetic truths is to take a DNA test. I find that Ancestry has the most beginner friendly DNA tests available. If you are need of a test, you can get 15% off with this …

Thankful and Blessed

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. Sam Levenson This past year, I found myself connected with a wonderful group of ladies. Four friends in four different time zones that came together because they are passionate about being search angels and …

SHOEBOX BABY: An 80 year Mystery in Portsmouth

"He remembered us in our low estate; His love endures forever. " Psalm 136:23 I have the honor and privilege of being a search angel and working with the ladies: Deb, Larissa, Lis, Val, from Genetic Truths aka The Fab Four. The Fab Four ladies were featured on the 4 MAR 2022 edition of the …

“Bells for Peace”: 52 Ancestors- Conflict

Today I am skipping ahead to the #52 Ancestor theme for June, it seemed more relevant as we remember May 5th. As another ancestral homeland in Ukraine is being pulverize by war since the February 24th, 2022 Russian invasion, we celebrate the May 5th, 1945 liberation of the Netherlands where my grandparents were living at …

Diagramming Pedigree Collapse- 52 Ancestors Week 5: Branching Out

"Like branches on a tree we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one." Unknown In my last post, I explained how pedigree collapse combines lines of ancestors. My Dutch family lines from the small town of Schaijk have a tangled line beginning with my 8th great-grandfather, Joannis Ariaens Noijen, who is both …

“To Be Counted…Ancestral Mathematics” 52 Ancestors Week 1: Foundations

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. "Hebrew 3:4 "How many expressions of hope for the future did your ancestors have to undergo for you to exist in this present moment?" What a question! Living now during the recent virus pandemic (sickness, mandates, supply chain shortages) brings a …