This is a conversation regarding the recent terms of service changes at Ancestry.com

and discussions of how those changes may have long-term effects for investigative genetic

genealogists and others who participate in the resolution of cold cases.

We recognize that Ancestry is a private company that may change their terms of service at any

time.

However, we also want to provide space for

this conversation and the possible ramifications regarding cold cases in what is still a new field

of forensic investigation. This is the fall line.

One of our goals is to help our audience better understand forensic science and the pursuit of justice for cold cases.

Over the years, we've discussed investigative genetic genealogy extensively,

from the basics of DNA testing to collaborative

work that goes into building family trees to solve cases that were once considered impossible

to close. Our audience is already familiar with the basics, how to upload to Jedmatch,

what sites allow DNA comparisons by law enforcement, the ongoing discussions

regarding privacy, and the other methods that IgG practitioners use to resolve cases that aren't

DNA, family trees, census records, obituaries, yearbooks, news archives, the list goes on.

We've also briefly discussed the different kinds of

genealogy work that comes up, like paternity and air identification that have nothing to do with

violent crime or unidentified persons. Recently, practitioners in the field reached out to alert me

to a significant development.

Changes to Ancestry.com's terms and conditions, effective August 18th, 2025,

that specifically prohibit using ancestry services for law enforcement investigations.

...