SHOULD YOU TAKE A DNA TEST?

Services such as AncestryDNA, 23andMe and MyHeritage DNA offer DNA testing kits. After you send in a sample of your saliva, the service uses it to analyze your genetic information and compares it to the DNA of other people worldwide. Then you'll get a report detailing the geographic regions where your ancestors may have lived.

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DNA testing can enhance your research, but it’s not a must-do for a successful trip, says Jackie Hogan, author of the book Roots Quest: Inside America’s Genealogy Boom. In fact, testing can come with some pitfalls, such as finding out a parent may not be who you thought they were or that your ancestral DNA doesn’t align with the cultural identity and traditions you grew up honoring.