The Fabric of Who You Are: How One DNA Pioneer Found Her Family's Truth

Have you ever wondered what secrets might be woven into your DNA? Not just about your ethnic origins, but about the people and stories that have shaped who you are?

In this week's episode of Stories That Live In Us, I sat down with Diahan Southard, a pioneer in genetic genealogy and founder of Your DNA Guide. Her journey from college student to DNA expert reveals how the threads of our genetic heritage can lead us to unexpected and profound family connections.

"There will be a point in the future where anyone will be able to take a DNA test and we will be able to tell them where they're from – not just on the country level, not just on a state level even, but we'll be able to tell them like to a village where their family is from."

These prophetic words from Dr. Scott Woodward, spoken in a basement lab at BYU in the late 1990s, set Diahan on a path that would transform not only her career but her family's story.

The Whole Story

Listen in to Diahan’s story about discovery, connection, and the unexpected ways DNA reminds us that we all have stories waiting to be uncovered.

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🎧 Listen to the full episode to discover:

• How a high school English teacher's advice led Diahan to pioneer work in genetic genealogy
• The remarkable story of building the first genetic genealogy database
• How a rare mitochondrial DNA marker sparked curiosity about her mother's biological family
• The emotional journey of connecting with long-lost siblings
• Why DNA testing matters even when you think you know your whole family story

The Power of One Story

Diahan's story reminds us that DNA is more than just science – it's a bridge to understanding our place in the human story. Her mother never felt incomplete in her loving adoptive family, yet discovering her biological siblings added a new dimension of fullness to her life. This journey shows us how DNA can reveal connections we never knew we were missing and create bonds that enrich our lives in unexpected ways.

When Diahan's mother met her biological siblings for the first time, they didn't just share DNA – they shared stories, memories, and a profound sense of belonging. Even more touching was how these newfound relationships sustained her mother through her final days, with her brothers holding her hand just as if they'd known her all their lives.

Your Story

Every DNA test holds the potential for discovery. Whether you're adopted like Diahan's mother, or simply curious about your family history, your genetic code carries stories waiting to be uncovered. As Diahan reminds us, "We don't know what we don't know." Even if you're confident about your family tree, your DNA test could be the key that helps someone else unlock their family mystery.

Story Seeds 🌱

Plant these conversation starters and watch your family stories grow.

1. For Parents/Grandparents: "What family traits or characteristics do you see being passed down through our generations? Which ones surprise you the most?"
2. For Siblings/Cousins: "Have you ever wondered about the stories behind our shared DNA? What family mysteries would you most like to solve?"
3. For Extended Family: "What unexpected connections have you discovered in our family tree? How did those discoveries change your understanding of our family story?"
4. For Family Gatherings: "If you could trace one family trait or story back to its origins, which one would you choose and why?"

Story Sparks 🔥

Unlock your family's hidden stories with these research techniques.

1. If you haven’t taken an AncestryDNA test yet, do that first. It is the largest consumer genomics database. And, paired with the world’s largest online collection of family trees and genealogical records, it is the perfect place to make family history discoveries. Want to know what to expect? Watch this AncestryDNA 101 video by me with a primer in random inheritance and cousinship so you can understand your results when you receive them.
2. If you have already taken an AncestryDNA test, do you have any family members in a generation above you who haven’t tested yet? If you have any parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles that haven’t tested yet, they are the next people you want to get tested.  You only have half of your parents DNA. That means there is half of your parents DNA that you didn’t inherit. Testing them can give you more data to work with when making discoveries.
3. Use the custom groups in your AncestryDNA Match List to start sorting your matches. I recommend creating 8 groups - one for each great-grandparent. For every match where you have identified their place in the family tree, add them to the group(s) that corresponds with which of your ancestors they are related to you through. This allows you to quickly place new matches and make more discoveries. If you want to see exactly how I have my DNA groups setup, check out my video called, AncestryDNA:  Making the Most of Your Match List.

Whether you're just starting your DNA journey or you've been at it for years, remember that every genetic connection holds the potential for a meaningful story. As Diahan's experience shows us, sometimes the most profound discoveries come when we least expect them.

Ready to explore the fabric of who you are? Subscribe to Stories That Live In Us wherever you get your podcasts, and join our community of family story seekers. If this episode touched your heart, please leave us a rating and review – it helps other people find their way to their own family stories.

© 2025 Crista Cowan. All rights reserved.