Ancestry has just announced its most significant DNA update yet — the 2025 Origins Update — and it’s bringing major changes to how millions of people understand their family history. Whether you’ve tested your DNA before or are considering it, here’s what you need to know about this exciting leap forward in genetic genealogy.
1. The Biggest AncestryDNA Update Ever
This year’s update introduces 68 new or revised DNA regions, reshaping results for about 90% of users. If you’ve tested with AncestryDNA, you’ll likely see new insights, refined ancestry percentages, and more precise regional matches.
2. A Stronger, Smarter Reference Panel
An expanded reference panel of 185,000 DNA samples now powers Ancestry’s analysis. This larger and more diverse dataset provides greater accuracy and detail than ever before.
3. Your DNA Hasn’t Changed — The Science Has
Many users wonder, “Why did my DNA results change?”
The answer: your DNA stays the same, but the science interpreting it evolves. Each update brings sharper insights into your ancestral makeup.
4. More Detail Than Ever Before
Ancestry has added remarkable granularity. For example, England now includes six specific subregions, while the former Germanic Europe area has been divided into northern, southern, and eastern zones — offering richer, more localized connections.
5. Introducing “Macro Regions”
To simplify understanding, Ancestry now groups related areas into macro regions — broad genetic zones like “Nordic,” which includes Sweden, Norway, and Finland. These help users see how their ancestry fits into larger, meaningful contexts.
6. Why Your Percentages May Change
Every user’s DNA is being reprocessed under the new model, so expect to see some percentages shift or smaller regions disappear — all signs of increased precision.
7. DNA vs. Family Tree
Your DNA story may differ from your documented family tree. Because you inherit random portions of DNA from each parent, it’s possible that some ancestral regions won’t appear in your genetic results — especially from distant generations.
8. Missing Regions and Future Updates
If your homeland, such as Belarus, isn’t yet listed, your DNA will be matched to the most genetically similar region, like northeastern Poland or Lithuania. Future updates will continue expanding regional coverage as new samples are added.
9. Explore the Maps and Ranges
Be sure to click into your results! Interactive maps and confidence ranges reveal the genetic overlaps and nuances that shape your ancestral landscape.
10. The Future of Genetic Genealogy
Ancestry’s scientific team continues to innovate — refining data, adding new regions, and building tools that help us all connect more deeply to our past. The 2025 update is just one more step toward a fuller, richer picture of who we are and where we come from.
Preserve Jewish Heritage — Join and Support Our Mission
As technology advances, so does our ability to trace Jewish ancestry across generations and continents. Our nonprofit Jewish genealogy organization in Colorado is dedicated to helping individuals explore, document, and preserve their family stories — stories that might otherwise be lost.
Your membership and donations make this work possible. Together, we can connect families, honor our ancestors, and strengthen our shared heritage.
Join us today or make a tax-deductible contribution to help continue this vital mission of Jewish genealogical discovery.
