Welcome to Watershed DNA
Search Topics
- DNA Surprise 42
- NPE 38
- DNA Discovery 34
- DNA 33
- Direct to Consumer DNA 25
- Adoption 21
- Adoptees 19
- Ancestry Testing 17
- Family Search 17
- Misattributed Parentage 17
- Home DNA Test 14
- Medical Genetics 14
- Donor Conception 13
- 23andMe 12
- Genetic Counselor 12
- Podcast 12
- Biological Family 11
- Genetic Genealogy 11
- Genetics 11
- Biological Father 10
- DNA Test 9
- DTC Genetics 9
- At Home Testing 8
- DNA Shocks 8
- Family History 8
- Sperm Donation 8
- DNA Support 7
- Genetic Counseling 7
- Raw Data 7
- DNA Guide for Adoptees 6
- Donor Conceived 6
- Promethease 6
- ROH 6
- Support 6
- Alzheimer 5
- DNA Podcast 5
- Family 5
- Forensic Genealogy 5
- Genetic Testing 5
- Paternity 5
- Resources 5
- Stem Cell Transplant 5
- Birth Parents 4
- Egg Donation 4
- Family Health History 4
- Family Secrets 4
- GEDMatch 4
- Non-Paternity 4
- Support Group 4
- Ancestry 3
Birth Fathers Share What It Is Like to Find Out They Have an Adult Child They Never Knew About
Do you call them biological fathers? Birth dads? Found fathers, discovered dads, sires, or “men who fathered a child they were not aware of”?
Can DNA Test Results Be Wrong? Yes.
Sometimes 23andMe reports an inaccurate DNA relationship between two testers. A half sibling is not always a half sibling. It could be a cousin, for example.
“Dear Brianne...I Reached Out to My Unexpected Half-Sister but Now I’m Worried. Did I Jump the Gun?”
I recently received a message from someone who made an unexpected discovery of a new family member after doing DNA testing.
Severance Magazine, the Beagle Has Landed Podcast, and Other Resources on the Topic of DNA Family Surprises
Severance Magazine is a resource for the growing group of individuals who learn they have been separated by biological relatives.
High ROH - A Topic Covered in a Chapter of “The DNA Guide for Adoptees”
ROH is very tricky topic but one we need to get comfortable talking about. It can happen to anyone of any age from any background.
Self-Identity Reflections From Maggy’s NPE Discovery at Age 54
When Maggy was 54 years old, she discovered that her father wasn’t who she thought he was.
Brianne’s Discussion With Theral of Mendelspod Podcast on Various DNA Topics
You order a $99 home DNA test for some holiday pleasure. It’s a bit of fun. Right? Until it turns your life upside down.
Two Sisters Must Decide Whether to Tell a New DNA Sister She’s an NPE
Heather and Jessica are sisters who have discovered that they have a half-sister they never knew about.
“I Am Thankful That She Told Me the Truth When I Asked” - Christa’s Story of a DNA Surprise
The recorded re-telling of a painful and emotional experience of uncovering a DNA surprise is helpful for others to read. It supports and validates others who are going through the same thing, and it provides insight for the friends, family, and professionals who will be there alongside a person on their journey following the unexpected discovery.
Brianne Kirkpatrick Quoted in PhillyVoice Article on Unexpected DNA Surprises
In this piece which covers the topic of support after unexpected DNA discoveries, I shared my thoughts on the topic and touched briefly on the role grief and support play in these experiences.

