Welcome to Watershed DNA
Search Topics
- DNA Surprise 37
- NPE 37
- DNA 33
- DNA Discovery 30
- Adoption 21
- Direct to Consumer DNA 21
- Adoptees 18
- Ancestry Testing 17
- Misattributed Parentage 17
- Family Search 15
- Home DNA Test 14
- Medical Genetics 14
- Donor Conception 13
- 23andMe 12
- Genetic Counselor 12
- Podcast 12
- Biological Family 10
- Genetic Genealogy 10
- Genetics 10
- DNA Test 9
- At Home Testing 8
- Family History 8
- Sperm Donation 8
- DNA Shocks 7
- Genetic Counseling 7
- Raw Data 7
- Biological Father 6
- DNA Support 6
- Donor Conceived 6
- Promethease 6
- ROH 6
- Alzheimer 5
- DNA Guide for Adoptees 5
- DNA Podcast 5
- DTC Genetics 5
- Family 5
- Genetic Testing 5
- Paternity 5
- Stem Cell Transplant 5
- Birth Parents 4
- Egg Donation 4
- Family Health History 4
- Forensic Genealogy 4
- GEDMatch 4
- Non-Paternity 4
- Resources 4
- Support Group 4
- Cousin Couples 3
- Family Secrets 3
- MyHeritage 3
“I truly believe things happen the way they’re supposed to happen” - An interview with author K.S. Hopkins
K.S. “Katie” Hopkins never guessed that a discovery about her sister's unexpected paternity would be just the start of a number of surprises in the family. What began as crumbs of information left in family documents led to DNA testing which confirmed a hidden family history.
Season 2 kicks off with Melissa Guida-Richards, author & late-discovery transracial adoptee
Season 2 kicks off with Melissa Guida-Richards.
Getting Started on a Search for Birth Family if You’re Adopted
Have you heard the “Searching for Relatives with DNA” podcast episode? Catch this interview by Simon Benn, available for listening now. Simon shares the backstory to his decision to search and the moment he knew it was time. Our discussion is geared towards supporting people early in the search process but will help anyone along the way, whether the searching person or the family who has been sought.
Meet The Adoptee Who Pioneered DNA Family Search
Podcast Ep 9: Meet Richard Hill, the adoptee who was the first to use DNA testing to search for and discover the identity of his birth parents.
Doubt Is An Important Step In The DNA Discovery Process
Doubt is a common reaction in unexpected DNA family discoveries. It’s not only common, it’s also normal and important.
“A Broken Tree” Author Joins DNA Clarity and Support Host for Conversation About Multiple NPE Discoveries
Stephen Anderson never expected that his decades of family research using traditional methods--genealogical records and oral histories--would be turned into a years-long journey to unravel the truth around his paternity and that of his many siblings.
A Universal Quest for Answers About Family and Ourselves
Podcast Ep: 2 Author Mary Beth Sammons shares with host Brianne Kirkpatrick the backstory to Ancestry Quest. This quick-and-easy read explores the stories of dozens of individuals who found meaning and connection to family and their history, sometimes after an intentional search and sometimes by happenstance.
“I Couldn’t Shake the Feeling That Maybe I Had a Different Biological Father”
Therese reached out to share her story about discovering she had a different biological father than she was told, and in her story is both struggle and growth.
“If My Dad’s Not My Biological Father, Then Who Is?”
More people every day are discovering unexpected news about their parentage as a result of consumer DNA tests. As a licensed and certified genetic counselor specializing in ancestry testing, I have more and more people reach out to me wondering could it be true my dad’s not my dad? If so, then who IS?
5 Tips for an Adoption-Related Search
Here’s some advice I’ve gathered for those who are considering or already have involved DNA testing in an adoption-related search.

