5 Steps to Make the Most of Your DNA Results(By Karen@ Genealogy Uncovered)

So, you’ve done your DNA test, waited eagerly for the results… and now you have a colourful pie chart showing your ethnicity breakdown. 🧬It’s interesting — maybe even surprising — but then what?

Many people stop there because they don’t know what to do next. But that’s where the real discoveries begin .Your DNA test is just the first clue in a much bigger story — one filled with names, faces, and family connections waiting to be uncovered.

Here are five simple steps to help you make the most of your DNA results:

1️⃣ Explore Your DNA Matches

Most DNA companies show you a list of people who share segments of your DNA .Start by looking at close matches — these might be cousins or relatives you’ve never met. Compare surnames and locations to spot possible family links.

👉 Tip: Keep notes on anything that looks familiar — even small details can connect later on.

2️⃣ Look for Shared Surnames and Places

Once you have a few matches, check if you share any surnames, towns, or regions in common. This helps you see which branch of your family those matches might belong to — and can guide your next steps in building the tree.

3️⃣ Combine DNA with Records

DNA alone can’t tell you who your ancestors were. Pair it with traditional records — birth, marriage, death, census, and military documents — to turn those percentages into real people with real stories.

That’s where genealogy research comes alive. 💫

4️⃣ Contact Your Matches (Gently!)

If you’re comfortable, reach out to a few DNA matches. A simple message like, “Hi, we share DNA — I’m researching my family tree and wondered if we might have any ancestors in common?” can open amazing doors. Many people are thrilled to collaborate once they realise there’s a shared story.

5️⃣ Get Expert Help When You’re Stuck

It’s easy to get lost in the data. A professional genealogist can interpret your DNA matches, trace the records, and build a clear, evidence-based story of where you come from.

That’s exactly what I love doing at Genealogy Uncovered — helping you move beyond percentages to the people behind them.

🌳 Your Family Story Is Waiting

Your DNA results are a doorway — but it’s the research that takes you through it. If you’d like to discover who those ancestors really were, I’d love to help you uncover their stories.