Ancestry.com’s upcoming 2025 Ancestral Origins update is poised to transform the world of DNA testing — and for those exploring Jewish ancestry, it’s especially exciting. For family historians and researchers in Colorado and beyond, this update will provide new tools to uncover Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Mizrahi roots with greater accuracy than ever before.

More Precise DNA Regions for Jewish Ancestry

For many Jewish families, previous DNA results offered only broad designations such as “European Jewish” or “Eastern European.” The 2025 update dramatically expands Ancestry’s reference panel to over 185,000 DNA samples, helping identify smaller Jewish subregions with new precision.

Researchers may now distinguish ancestry from Lithuania, Galicia, Belarus, Ukraine, or Hungary, and even trace Sephardic heritage from Spain, Portugal, or North Africa. These improvements will make it easier for genealogists to connect genetic findings with historical records, family stories, and community origins.

New “Macro-Regions” Reveal Jewish Migration Paths

Ancestry’s introduction of macro-regions—broader clusters that group related subregions—will help trace the centuries-long Jewish diaspora. This feature may show how Jewish populations moved across Europe, the Mediterranean, and eventually to America.

For example, a user might see their Eastern European Jewish DNA linked to a larger macro-region showing historical migrations through Central Europe or the Middle East. These insights bring family stories to life, connecting personal identity to the wider narrative of the Jewish people.

Reframing DNA for Jewish Genealogy

The update replaces “Ethnicity Estimates” with “Ancestral Regions,” underscoring that DNA reflects historical connections—not national boundaries. For Jewish genealogy, this means a more nuanced understanding of shared ancestry, interwoven migrations, and community resilience.

When Ancestry releases the update, Jewish genealogists should review their new results closely. Shifts in DNA percentages or new region names might unlock valuable leads about ancestral homelands, movements, and kinship ties.

Support Jewish Genealogy in Colorado

At our nonprofit Jewish genealogy organization here in Colorado, we’re dedicated to helping families uncover their Jewish roots, preserve ancestral stories, and connect generations. Tools like Ancestry’s new DNA update deepen our shared mission—to make Jewish heritage more accessible and meaningful for everyone.

Your donations directly support digitizing records, guiding research workshops, and expanding access to Jewish genealogical resources across Colorado.

If this new DNA technology inspires you to explore your heritage, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to sustain Jewish family history for future generations. Together, we can ensure that every Jewish story—past and present—is remembered, recorded, and cherished.