This week, Jay & Misty celebrate the show’s 2-year anniversary by looking back at some of the most powerful, emotional, and unforgettable stories from the past two years. From long-lost family reunions to shocking DNA discoveries and unresolved cases that still stay with them. They also share behind-the-scenes insights, updates on past cases, and reflect on how the show has grown—from just a handful of viewers to a community helping fund life-changing pro bono reunions. This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the impact of DNA, storytelling, and the families still waiting to be found.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/bSgyL2GElEI

00:00 Two Year Anniversary

00:39 Misty Joins In

01:08 KTLA Segment Update

01:42 Early Episodes Recap

03:03 Twins Story Fallout

04:01 Doctor Interview Clip

06:27 Patty Airport Reunion

08:13 Fake Name Birth Records

09:06 Mary May Case Heartbreak

10:31 RootsTech And Award

12:49 Kailyn Memphis Reunion

14:32 Funding Pro Bono Work

17:03 Break And Sponsor Spot

17:45 Chiari Smith Twist

19:09 Shanna Zoom DNA Reveal

20:16 Family Secret Revealed

20:54 Season Highlights Recap

21:31 Baby Holly Gains Traction

22:40 Reunion Updates and Studio Talk

23:40 Mary Maybe and Tough Choices

24:45 RootsTech Plans and Speaking

25:23 Caitlyn Reunion Goes South

26:31 Sensitive Cases and Letters

30:03 Donald Brown Mystery Name

31:28 Celebrity DNA and Vanishing Leads

32:58 Mexico Case Investigation

36:05 Pro Bono and Closing Thanks

Check out Jared's channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@GeneaVlogger

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

Finding Family DNA, DNA reunion stories, adoption stories, genetic genealogy, family reunions, adoptee stories, family secrets, genealogy podcast, DNA discoveries, birth family search, podcast anniversary, DNA journeys, finding biological family, pro bono cases, emotional reunion stories

In this episode of Finding Family DNA, we follow Jenn Reinschmidt’s emotional journey to uncover her biological family after growing up knowing she was adopted. What started as a search for medical history quickly turned into a life-changing discovery when Misty Gillis used DNA matches and family tree analysis to identify Jenn’s birth mother—and ultimately connect her with her half-brother. Along the way, long-held family secrets are revealed, including the shocking truth that Jenn’s birth mother told others she had died at birth. This episode is a powerful story of identity, resilience, and what it means to find connection later in life.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/OmTNL6AXjTc

00:00 Show Welcome

01:05 Meet Jen Rein Schmidt

01:28 Growing Up Adopted

03:11 Why Start Searching

04:56 Choosing Birth Parent Finder

06:38 Managing Expectations

08:07 Early Clues From Records

10:56 Break And Promo

11:37 DNA Matches Breakthrough

13:00 Tracking The Birth Mother

14:29 Contacting Bell Family

15:58 Randy Connection Revealed

17:05 Estranged Sister Update

18:20 Paternal Side Leads

19:28 Jen Reacts to Reunion

20:20 Meeting Randy for Lunch

21:19 Told She Died at Birth

22:25 Resemblance and Identity

24:06 Adoptive Parents Support

25:50 Future Plans with Randy

27:37 Advice for Searchers

29:21 Final Thoughts

Check out Jared's channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@GeneaVlogger

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

Finding Family DNA, adoption story, adoptee journey, DNA reunion, birth family search, genetic genealogy, family secrets, adoptee stories, finding biological family, ancestry DNA, identity discovery, long lost family, emotional reunion, adoption podcast, DNA family search

This week, Misty explains how investigative genetic genealogy helped solve the 1991 murder of Danielle Clause in Ventura, California. Using preserved crime scene DNA, GEDmatch, and advanced genealogy techniques, the team identified Larry Devon Welch more than three decades after the crime. Misty breaks down the science behind centimorgans, kinship testing, phenotyping, and how everyday DNA uploads can help solve violent cold cases.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — your support helps fund our pro bono DNA cases. Also, if you want to support our mission more directly, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/c8FeamaB6Y8

00:00 Welcome to RootsTech 2026

00:18 Meet Jared Ross

01:22 Jared’s Genealogy Origin Story

02:26 RootsTech Tips and Highlights

05:09 Marlee Matlin Keynote Clip

08:45 Why Inclusion Matters

09:22 Investigative Genetic Genealogy

10:11 Nancy Guthrie Case DNA Breakdown

15:57 MyHeritage Interview and WGS

18:51 MyHeritage Upload Changes and Deals

19:35 Voice Gift Family Stories

Check out Jared's channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@GeneaVlogger

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

genetic genealogy, genealogy podcast, family history research, DNA genealogy, RootsTech 2026, investigative genetic genealogy, DNA cold cases, family tree research, MyHeritage DNA, ancestry research, forensic genealogy, adoptee search, birth parent search, genealogy conference, DNA technology, genealogy community, solving family mysteries, DNA family connections