Paper records tell us what was written. DNA tells us what endured.
When documents disagree or disappear, DNA offers a different kind of
evidence—one that is inherited, shared, and remarkably persistent.
For MyCousins, DNA did not replace traditional genealogy. It confirmed it,
challenged it, and in one pivotal case, resolved a decades-old question.
Why DNA Matters in Family History
DNA testing allows us to compare genetic material across living individuals.
When two people share DNA above a certain threshold, a relationship exists—
even if the paper trail is incomplete or wrong.
In immigrant families with name changes, border shifts, and language barriers,
DNA often becomes the bridge between parallel family lines.
Which DNA Tests We Used
Members of the MyCousins project have taken multiple DNA tests across platforms.
This was intentional. Each company has a different database, and matches only
occur within the same testing ecosystem.
- AncestryDNA — Primary test for most family members
- MyHeritage DNA — Used to expand international matching
- 23andMe — Taken by select relatives for health and ancestry
Whenever possible, we recommend testing with the same company where your family
tree is actively maintained. Context matters.
The Problem with DNA Without Trees
A common frustration across all platforms is finding DNA matches without
associated family trees—or with trees set to private.
DNA alone does not tell a story. It must be paired with names, dates, and places.
Without that context, even strong matches can remain mysteries.
The Breakthrough: Two Elcik Lines
One of the long-standing questions in this research was whether the
Elsik and Ilcik families were related. The paper trail suggested
a possibility, but proof was elusive.
DNA provided the answer.
A DNA match associated with the New York Elcik family—descended from
John Ilcik (1886–1982)—connected directly to our tree. The relationship was not
close, but it was definitive.
We were no longer dealing with theory. We were dealing with shared inheritance.
Understanding DNA Relationships
DNA relationships are often described in unfamiliar terms:
third cousin once removed, half relationships,
great-grandnephew.
These labels matter less than the underlying truth: DNA confirms that two people
share ancestors, even if the exact path is still being mapped.
What DNA Can—and Cannot—Do
DNA can confirm relationships. It can disprove assumptions. It can open new
research paths.
It cannot tell us names, dates, or stories on its own.
The most successful discoveries occur when DNA and documents work together.
From Matches to Meaning
DNA matches are not conclusions; they are invitations. Each match represents a
living relative who may hold stories, photos, or records that no archive contains.
In this way, DNA does not end research—it expands it.
Looking Ahead
With relationships confirmed, the focus shifts again—from proof to preservation.
In the next chapter, we explore how stories, photos, and memories are gathered
and safeguarded for the generations that follow.
Evidence may prove connection. Stories give it meaning.