PANEL: DNA Surprises and Family Identity: A Guide to Preparation, Processing, and Family Storytelling

DNA tests can unravel the past, but unexpected results have profound impacts on the living. Unexpected results upend individuals’ personal and cultural identities and reveal family secrets.

This panel discussion by Laura Hedgecock, Jenny Hawran and Sheridan Anderson, seeks to fill a current gap in genealogical education: how to compassionately support individuals navigating DNA surprises and those helping them through the journey.

Panelists offer guidance on preparing for the possibility of difficult results, navigating the discovery process, processing the disconnect from family narratives and traditions as well as deciding how, when, or whether to share their new story. For those helping someone else through testing and such discoveries, presenters provide a trauma-informed framework for communication, resources, and writing about their experiences.

These three panelists offer multi-faceted insight and competence to this topic: personal experience with NPE DNA results, therapy and family mediation background, competence with NPE advocacy and trauma-informed writing, and professional genealogy.

This recorded session will serve as an ongoing resource for the genealogy community, addressing a topic that affects thousands but is rarely discussed in educational settings.