Family history can be messy. Timelines can conflict, records can go missing and, for some, the truth can be deliberately hidden. For many, their hidden lineage can weigh on them for much of their lives.
DNA testing has gone from strength to strength, letting people uncover relatives they never knew existed and providing answers that research simply can’t solve. In the three cases below, DNA testing proved vital to providing closure and creating new connections.
What will you discover? Unlock your own family history with a DNA test
Five answers, one truth – a family mystery uncovered
For decades, Peter Vonlanthen was told five different stories as to who his mother really was. One pitched her as a French cousin, another a nanny and one traced her to an orphanage in India. All of the explanations conflicted and the paper trail came to a dead end.
It wasn’t until Peter turned to DNA testing that the truth was finally unveiled. By comparing his results with close and distant relatives - including a 97-year-old great uncle – he discovered definitive genetic ties that cut through decades of family secrecy and scandal.
DNA testing was the only way Peter was able to prove which family he belonged to.
"It’s good to know that there is a science, DNA, that can be relied upon in such circumstances. It’s also a relief to know that I am genetically a member of the family I’ve spent my whole life with."
A father named "unknown" – and the tragic truth
Sonia Limm’s father grew up with “father unknown” on his birth certificate, a mystery that weighed heavily on him for most of his life. His mother took the secret to her grave, prolonging the burden.
During lockdown, everything changed. Sonia and her father took DNA tests and cousin matches appeared almost immediately. This unlocked the identity of a man her father never knew existed: a talented boxer turned soldier, killed in France at just 26.
After 76 years of uncertainty, a simple DNA test finally gave Sonia’s father the closure he’d needed all of his life.
"It’s hard to grieve for someone you never knew, but through my research Dad felt a deep connection with Douglas."
A missing birth record, a hidden father – an unexpected family reunion
When Nicola Crawley couldn’t find her father’s birth record, she knew something was off. Years of digging led nowhere and it was only when Nicola turned to DNA testing that the truth began to surface. A distant cousin match opened the door to a completely different family line.
Eventually, the family line led her to father’s biological half-brother, and a very emotional reunion. Without a DNA test Nicola wouldn’t have found such relief, nor found such exciting new connections.
"Dad and I have met some of our new relations, and it has been very emotional. Mick burst into tears when he saw Dad, because he looks so much like his father."
Discover what your DNA could reveal
Real stories like these show how DNA testing can provide closure and act as a wonderful way to discover surprise connections. If you’re interested in seeing what your DNA could reveal, MyHeritage’s industry-leading kit is currently on sale for its lowest-ever price.
What’s typically £80 is now just £20*, which is an extraordinary deal. The test itself requires only a simple cheek swab, no blood or spit required.
Curious about your own family story?
It's also the only consumer test on the market with Whole Genome Sequencing, making it one of the most accurate DNA tests out there.
*Offer subject to availability and may change - please check the website for current pricing and terms.
** After 30 days, you'll get a 50% discount and be charged £109 for the first year (VAT included). The Complete subscription renews annually. You can cancel anytime.