Has anyone found relatives through ancestry DNA?

[AncestorsDNA]

I've just ordered an ancestry DNA kit and membership to the website (have used the free trial before which didn't bring up anybody I didn't already know about as I only have my maternal families details)

I'm hoping I will be able to identify my father or atleast somebody from his side.

Has anybody found unknown relatives this way?

I'm a genetic genealogist so I specialise in this and I get a lot of clients who've matched with someone but they don't know the relationship or Ancestry suggests a relationship such as half sibling which gets people understandably concerned / intrigued but I go on to prove that the relationship is actually a cousin.

So yes it's very possible and actually quite common. But be careful about believing Ancestry's suggested relationship!

Thank you that's really good to know, how frustrating though. With that in mind I'd better tread carefully contacting anybody that comes up.

If I get any hits would you mind me sending you a PM for some help?

Oh wow, that's so sad. It's lovely that he has forged a relationship with his brother though. I found out I had a brother when I was 25, different circumstances but I'm so glad to have him in my life.

@AncestorsDNA sure, drop me a PM if you get stuck.

I have used Ancestry to find relatives. It correctly identified my full sister, but I guess that’s an easy match. With other relatives I had to do quite a bit of detective work to work out how they were related to me. A couple of relatives were able to fill in the missing information for me but others I was matched with continue to mystify me. You have to be prepared to back up your DNA results with other research, it’s not always clear.

I’ve found some second cousins, and was able to identify my great-grandfather conclusively after years trying to track him down (he was a rogue and a liar and put false information on various census documents). But it only works if other descendants have taken a DNA test. Often you’ll find a link but the person has no public Ancestry family tree so it’s difficult to identify the connection, and as said above Ancestry’s suggested relationship is not reliable. More tests are being added all the time though so it’s worth checking back every so often. And it’s fascinating information!

My son found my husband's half brother from an illicit affair. Or rather the half brother worked out who he was and contacted another member of the family because my son was only 18 and it would have been difficult for him to deal with the fall out. My MiL is still alive so it can't be widely known within the family but my husband has met him. Weirdly they do very similar jobs in the City!

I've found distant cousins to chat to. But also discovered my great-grandfather was not my great-grandfather! Still trying to work out who is...

My half sibling recently found us! She was looking for some info on her biological Dad - only had a name, nationality and country of conception to go, but got a link though one of his first cousins. It has been a surprise - he didn't know anything about her existence, so lots of complicated emotional fallout in our family, but ultimately, it is a lovely thing and I am enjoying getting to know her. I hope you find what you are looking for, and that you are met with warmth.

Some very encouraging posts here thank you all!

I have a name for my alleged father but it could be false for all I know, my DM is the "stately homes" type and not at all honest. Her account has changed throughout the years.

I looked around Facebook at one point and found one man who vaguely fitted his description with the same name but unfortunately he had died and there's nothing to say he was the right person anyway.

I'm hoping I do have a living father out there somewhere.

Yes found my mums real dad and his 7 kids and grandkids

Bit of a revelation