About Genetic Legacies

DNA Recovery & Readiness

The first step in the process is to carefully prepare and evaluate your sample to determine if it’s suitable for more detailed DNA analysis. We start with DNA extraction, a crucial process where we isolate the DNA from the sample and remove any other materials. We use a highly sensitive and robust extraction kit, designed to capture even the smallest amounts of DNA. This advanced method ensures that we’re able to retrieve as much usable genetic material as possible, even from challenging or degraded samples.

Once the DNA is extracted, we measure its quantity to confirm there is enough to work with. We also detect the presence of male DNA, if any. We evaluate the overall quality of the DNA, and determine whether the sample shows any indications of a mixture.

At Genetic Legacies, we treat every sample with great care and attention, knowing how much it means to you. Phase 1 is our opportunity to ensure your sample has the best possible chance of success before moving into the more in-depth and costly Phase 2. By taking these careful steps, we aim to provide you with the highest level of confidence in the results we can achieve.

 Whole Genome Sequencing

 If your sample proves viable during Phase 1, we will contact you to review the results and decide whether you’d like to move forward with Phase 2.

Phase 2 is the most advanced and resource-intensive stage of our process. In this phase, we focus entirely on Whole Genome Sequencing, where we sequence the entire genome, not just targeted regions. This means every readable fragment of DNA extracted in Phase 1 is processed through a full-genome sequencing workflow to generate the most comprehensive data possible. We use ultra-sensitive, low-input sequencing methods designed for extremely small or degraded DNA samples—techniques that allow us to sequence material that would otherwise be unusable in standard genetic workflows.

During Phase 2, your sample is fully sequenced, and the resulting dataset is evaluated to determine whether it meets the quality and depth necessary for downstream genealogical analysis. No genealogy profile or final report is produced during this phase; Phase 2 is dedicated exclusively to whole-genome sequencing and confirming that the data is strong enough to move into Phase 3.

Your legacy unlocked

Phase 3 is the final step of our process and is only offered when your sample has successfully passed Whole Genome Sequencing in Phase 2. At this point, the hard part is already done — the sequencing has produced enough usable genetic information for us to complete a full genealogical profile.

During Phase 3, we take the sequencing data from your sample and process it through our bioinformatics pipeline to turn it into a complete, upload-ready genetic genealogy profile. This file is fully compatible with the GEDmatch database and allows you to explore connections, compare to matches, and continue your family-history research.

Because Phase 3 is only available when the sequencing has been successful, you can move into this stage with confidence: if you are invited to Phase 3, your profile will be created. Along with the uploadable file, we also include maternal haplogroup information and, for male samples, Y-chromosome haplogroup information, along with a written summary of the results. This phase represents the moment your legacy is unlocked and made ready for genealogical discovery.