Genetic Testing Options 
Not sure which DNA test to take? Testing companies Ancestry, FamilyTree, and MyHeritage all offer autosomal testing that works well for most genealogical questions. Each platform has different strengths, and the right choice depends on your research goals. Contact Jill if you have questions about which test is right for you.
Autosomal DNA Interpretation and Research
Raw test results are just numbers without proper analysis. Jill combines documentary research with genetic evidence to help you make sense of your matches and answer your most pressing family history questions — whether you’re trying to identify an unknown parent, confirm a suspected relationship, or break through a brick wall that traditional records can’t solve.
Tools used in analysis include:
- GEDmatch for cross-platform matching
- The Leeds Method for match clustering
- Gephi for network analysis
- Ancestry ProTools for advanced match filtering
Y-DNA Analysis
Male-only Y-DNA testing traces the direct paternal line and is particularly useful for surname research and identifying non-paternity events. Unlike atDNA, Y-DNA passes virtually unchanged from father to son, making it a powerful tool for confirming or disproving a suspected paternal connection across multiple generations.
Jill uses FamilyTreeDNA’s Y-DNA analysis tools to evaluate genetic distance between matches, interpret haplogroup assignments, and identify likely non-paternity event (NPE) events where the Y-DNA haplogroup doesn’t match the expected paternal line.
Who This Service Helps
Genetic genealogy analysis is useful for anyone who:
- Has an unknown parent or grandparent
- Suspects an NPE in their family
- Has exhausted traditional records and needs DNA to break through
New to genetic genealogy? The ISOGG Wiki is an excellent free resource for understanding testing options and terminology.