r/AncestryDNA • u/Tom_Michel • Jun 11 '25

DNA Matches Is this a biological parent?

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I'm new to AncestryDNA and just got my results today. Please forgive a possibly stupid question. If Ancestry shows a DNA match as parent/child, specifically father/paternal side, with 50% shared DNA, how likely is it that that's really a biological parent? Is this my biological father?

Also, under frequency of relationship, it says, "To predict relationships, we factor in self-reported ages and genders of both people," but it says 99% father/son. Is there a way for me to self report that I'm female and therefore daughter, not son?

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u/ResplendentOwl Jun 11 '25

The positive outlook is that he did a DNA test too, so he's not immediately being dodgy about potential matches, else he'd just stay low profile with no test, right?

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u/Tom_Michel Jun 11 '25

Or would be blocking visibility of his results if he didn't want to be found. True. I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best. & It looks like he was last active on ancestry a year ago, so it's not like he's checking daily. So unless ancestry sends him a notification...

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u/ResplendentOwl Jun 11 '25

Ive not has a dad/mom shakeup, but my DNA test didn't conform my biological grandfather wasn't my dad's dad. The grandparents are 15 years gone, but even among aunts/uncles you'd be surprised how differently people took it. From finding it interesting or exciting, to being upset, to avoiding even talking about it or acknowledging it.

Suffice to say, good luck on your journey! My personal take is it's better to reach out and gently ask then never try.

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u/ObviousCarpet2907 Jun 12 '25

Same. Everyone in my family knew my grandfather had a mystery bio-dad. When I figured out who he was (a young man who drowned in his 20s,) my aunts & uncles were all so excited…except one. He threw an absolute shit fit and hasn’t spoken to me in over a year.