Graduation Term

Fall 2025

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Sociology and Anthropology: Sociology

Committee Chair

Marion Willetts

Committee Member

Jason Whitesel

Committee Member

Wilbert Leonard

Abstract

Background: Genetic genealogy is an emergent topic in sociology. To date, over 41 million individuals worldwide have tested with the top four direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) companies: AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritageDNA (Glynn 2022). These tests provide consumers with ethnicity estimates, a list of DNA cousin matches, or both. Despite the popularity of DTCGT, there is a lack of data on consumer experiences with genetic relative-finder services (GRF) in the sociological literature. Methodology: I conducted exploratory, qualitative research in the form of in-depth interviews with eight adult women who have used GRF. I gathered data about their motivations for participation in GRF, the kinds of relationships they have developed as a result of their participation, and the emerging social implications of GRF technology. Research Findings: Participants described three primary motivations for participation in DTCGT: unreliable oral history, feelings of not belonging, and lack of information due to closed adoption records. Participants also discussed the development of significant, positive relationships with their GRF matches, as well as instances of rejection and the receipt of difficult information; the importance of measured expectations was recurring theme across all the interviews. One implication is that the time elapsed since testing is significant. Unexpected test results are often framed as disruptive; as this disruption fades, it may be replaced by ongoing navigation of relationship boundaries. Additional implications are related to GRF technology itself, including increased monetization, and privacy concerns related to the uncertain political situation in the United States.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

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