The Journey to Enlightening Your DNA
Make sense of your DNA results
DNA match lists can be overwhelming and confusing, especially without context. Enlighten DNA helps break down your results, explain what each match means, and identify which ones are most important. Whether you’ve tested with Ancestry, 23andMe, MyHeritage, or others, the guidance is personalized to your specific situation.
Build your biological family tree
Even if you know very little about your origins, it’s possible to build a biological family tree. Enlighten DNA combines genetic data, public records, and advanced genealogy tools to help you trace family lines, identify potential parents or siblings, and understand how it all fits together. Clues are followed carefully and ethically, no matter how small.
Navigate the emotional journey
Discovering unknown family can bring up big emotions — from hope and excitement to fear, grief, or confusion. Enlighten DNA provides thoughtful, compassionate support at each stage. Whether you’re preparing to reach out to a relative, processing unexpected information, or just need to talk through your findings, you’re not alone.
F.A.Q.
Yes — every service is completely free. Enlighten DNA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded on the belief that no one should be denied access to their biological truth because of money. Our founders have previously worked with other DNA-based organizations that, over time, began prioritizing revenue over people. We left those models behind to build something different — something genuinely focused on helping individuals find answers, connection, and healing.
All support is provided without charge: guidance through DNA results, assistance building family trees, and emotional support throughout the journey. Enlighten DNA is funded entirely through donations from those who believe in this mission — so the help is free, and always will be.
Enlighten DNA is designed for adoptees, NPEs (Not Parent Expected individuals), and anyone navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of discovering unexpected DNA results. If you’ve taken a DNA test and uncovered surprises — or if you’ve always known there was a missing piece to your family story — you’re in the right place.
Even if you haven’t taken a test yet, Enlighten DNA can help you understand your options and get started in a way that feels right for you.
You’re not alone. Many people begin with almost nothing — no names, no locations, sometimes just a vague feeling that something doesn’t add up. That’s okay.
DNA itself often holds the first clues. Enlighten DNA can help analyze your test results, identify patterns in your matches, and start building connections using public records and advanced genealogy tools. Even a small lead can open the door to real answers.
If you haven’t tested yet, we strongly recommend starting with AncestryDNA. It has the largest DNA database in the world, which means you’ll likely get the most matches — and the best shot at identifying close biological relatives right away.
Other commonly used tests include 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA, and all of them can provide helpful information. If you’ve already tested with one of these, there’s no need to start over — we can work with whatever you have.
In many cases, it’s also helpful to upload your raw DNA data to platforms like GEDmatch or MyHeritage to expand your match pool. These uploads are typically free or low-cost and can significantly boost your chances of finding key connections.
If you’re unsure what to do next, Enlighten DNA can guide you through the best strategy based on where you are in your search.
It truly depends. In some cases, answers come together in just a few hours — especially when close DNA matches are available and public records align quickly. In other cases, it can take months or even years of patient research, especially when matches are distant, records are limited, or relatives are unresponsive.
Testing with multiple DNA services — such as AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and others — can increase your chances of finding the right connections by broadening your match pool.
Enlighten DNA primarily works with individuals in the United States, where public records and testing databases are the most robust. While help is still available internationally, cases outside the U.S. — and even in certain U.S. regions — may take longer and come with additional challenges.
Regardless of timeline or complexity, what matters most is that you don’t have to go through it alone. Enlighten DNA works at your pace, with your comfort in mind. You’re never just a “case” — this is your journey, and every step is supported with care, skill, and respect for your story.
No, Enlighten DNA doesn’t reach out to relatives on your behalf — but you won’t be left guessing what to do. You’ll receive thoughtful, step-by-step guidance on how to approach potential relatives, what language to use, and how to handle both welcoming and difficult responses.
In many cases, Enlighten DNA can help identify likely phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses for relatives you’re hoping to contact. That information is shared with care, along with advice on when and how to reach out — always at your comfort level.
Whether you’re drafting a message, preparing for a conversation, or simply processing what a discovery means, you’ll have support every step of the way.
Discovery is just one part of the journey. After finding biological family, many people experience a wave of complex emotions — joy, relief, grief, confusion, even guilt. Enlighten DNA understands this landscape and provides emotional support and guidance long after the facts are found.
Some people reunite with family. Others face silence, rejection, or even anger. Whatever the outcome, the goal is to help you find peace, clarity, and a path forward that honors your truth.
Getting started is simple — just reach out. There’s no application process and no obligation. Whether you’re ready to dive in or just want to ask a few questions, someone who understands this journey will respond with compassion, clarity, and practical next steps.
You don’t have to know what you’re doing. You just have to take the first step. We’ll help with the rest.