Friday Finds — Week 4, 2026
Here are five reads I’ve bookmarked this week, chosen to be both useful and thought-provoking.
1) When a DNA test isn’t “just for fun” (ABC News, Australia)
If you (or someone you love) got an ancestry DNA kit as a gift, this is worth reading before you click “view results.” It’s a measured look at why DNA can be life-altering—especially for adopted and donor-conceived people—and why it pays to be emotionally prepared.
A gentle reminder that family history can be tender territory, even when it arrives in a shiny box.
2) “You need this knowledge” — Henry Louis Gates Jr. on Finding Your Roots (WESA / NPR)
A thoughtful interview tied to the new season of Finding Your Roots. Gates speaks candidly about what people discover, how history lands in the present, and why understanding ancestors can be freeing rather than defining.
A good “big picture” piece—genealogy as meaning, not just names.
3) 168 million new FamilySearch records (January 2026 update)
This is the kind of update that makes a traditional genealogist’s heart beat a little faster: FamilySearch reports over 168 million newly added/expanded records across 35 countries, with highlights including large additions from the Philippines, Sweden, and Honduras.
Fresh sources = fresh leads. If you’ve been stuck, this is your nudge to try again.
4) GenealogyBank adds new content from 33 titles (January 2026)
Newspapers are often where the human voice shows up—obituaries, local news, community notices, and the small details that bring people to life. GenealogyBank’s January update lists newly added content from 33 titles. Most of GenealogyBank’s resources are behind a paywall, but the blogposts seems to be accessible for free.
If your research needs context, newspapers are the old reliable friend that keeps delivering.
5) DNA sequencing technologies, explained (FamilyTreeDNA)
If you’ve ever wondered what terms like Sanger, microarray genotyping, NGS, or whole genome sequencing actually mean (and why genealogists should care), this explainer lays it out in a clear, structured way. A lot of GenealogyBank’s resources are behind a paywall, but their blog articles seems to be freely accessible
Understanding the “how” behind DNA results helps you use them wisely—without getting swept away by buzzwords.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions for articles that we all should read, drop a word in the comment section below or send me an email through the Contact page.
Until next time,
Martin
