Wordless Wednesday

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Baby Boy Gorodetsky

Miscarriage, March 12, 1902/3 Adar II 5662 (February 27, 1902 Julian calendar)

Kishinev, Bessarabia, Russian Empire

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Really Big News: MyHeritage Upgrades Its Consumer DNA Tests to Whole Genome Sequencing

TEL AVIV, Israel; LEHI, Utah; HOUSTON and FREMONT, California, October 14 , 2025 — MyHeritage announced today a landmark move to whole genome sequencing for its at-home DNA test, MyHeritage DNA.  Leveraging sequencing technology from Ultima Genomics and processing at the Gene by Gene lab, MyHeritage is the first major consumer DNA testing company to adopt whole genome sequencing at a scale of more than one million tests per year.  The enriched data will empower MyHeritage to deliver more accurate ethnicity analysis and DNA matching, and unlock opportunities for future innovation in consumer genomics and genetic genealogy.

Whole genome sequencing reads almost the entire human genetic code, covering around 3 billion base pairs (nucleotides).  This is superior to the standard genotyping arrays used by most consumer DNA tests, including MyHeritage until recently, which read only about 700,000 base pairs.  More data enable deeper insights across all types of genetic analysis.  Whole genome sequencing is now being applied to most new MyHeritage DNA kits currently being processed at the lab, and to every new MyHeritage DNA kit sold moving forward.  MyHeritage DNA kits already processed with the older genotyping array technology will not be reprocessed with whole genome sequencing.  Customers whose MyHeritage DNA kits are processed with whole genome sequencing will be able to download their entire genome from MyHeritage at no cost, in CRAM format.  They may also unlock additional insights by uploading their data to other trusted genetic service providers that support such uploads.

Due to its high technological potential, MyHeritage has been eying whole genome sequencing for years.  A pioneering study by the MyHeritage Science Team published in 2020 validated whole genome sequencing for reliable relative matching at scale.  Following that study, MyHeritage has been collaborating closely with Ultima Genomics since its emergence from stealth mode in mid-2022, and later jointly with Gene by Gene, to prepare the scientific and logistical foundation for upgrading the MyHeritage DNA processing pipeline to whole genome sequencing using Ultima’s technology.  The upgrade was completed successfully and creates new opportunities for MyHeritage to deliver deeper insights into ethnic origins, family connections, and genetic genealogy without any price increase to consumers.  The upgrade to whole genome sequencing makes MyHeritage's DNA offering more compelling.

“This is a pivotal moment for genetic genealogy,” said Gilad Japhet, founder and CEO of MyHeritage.  “We are proud to take this pioneering step into whole genome sequencing together with Ultima Genomics and with our longstanding partners at Gene by Gene.  MyHeritage customers will enjoy the fruits of this technological upgrade for years to come through increased accuracy, deeper insights, and exciting new products.”

“MyHeritage’s move to whole genome sequencing marks a major milestone for consumer DNA testing,” said Dr. Gilad Almogy, founder and CEO of Ultima Genomics.  “It demonstrates the scalability and maturity of Ultima’s innovative technology and accelerates the immense value that whole genome sequencing can bring to consumers.  It has been a pleasure collaborating with MyHeritage over the past few years, and we are proud to work together with them and Gene by Gene to bring genetic genealogy to new heights for millions of consumers worldwide.”

“The transition to whole genome sequencing represents the most ambitious project in our years-long partnership with MyHeritage,” said Dr. Lior Rauchberger, CEO of Gene by Gene.  “We are proud to help set a new standard in consumer genomics and support the growth of what will soon become the world’s largest database of whole genomes.  The rollout is centered at Gene by Gene’s state-of-the-art laboratory in Houston, Texas, which will house a large fleet of Ultima UG100™ sequencing instruments.”

Privacy Commitment
MyHeritage is committed to the privacy and security of its customers' data.  All genetic data are encrypted and stored securely, and MyHeritage does not sell or license data to third parties.  MyHeritage strictly prohibits the use of its platform by law enforcement.  All genetic samples are automatically destroyed by the lab after processing, except those stored securely for customers who have enrolled in the MyHeritage DNA BioBank service.  This provides customers with peace of mind not offered by most other major DNA testing companies.

About MyHeritage
MyHeritage enriches the lives of people worldwide by enabling them to uncover more about themselves and where they belong.  With a suite of intuitive products, billions of historical records, AI-powered photo tools, and an affordable at-home DNA test, MyHeritage creates a meaningful discovery experience that is deeply rewarding.  The MyHeritage platform is enjoyed by more than 62 million people around the world who treasure and celebrate their heritage.  MyHeritage is committed to the privacy and security of its customer data and is available globally in 42 languages.

About Ultima Genomics
Ultima Genomics is unleashing the power of genomics at scale.  The company's mission is to continuously drive the scale of genomic information to enable unprecedented advances in biology and improvements in human health.  With humanity on the cusp of a biological revolution, there is a virtually endless need for more genomic information to address biology's complexity and dynamic change — and a further need to challenge conventional next-generation sequencing technologies.  Ultima's revolutionary new sequencing architecture drives down the costs of sequencing to help overcome the trade-offs that scientists and clinicians are forced to make between the breadth, depth, and frequency with which they use genomic information.  The new sequencing architecture was designed to scale far beyond conventional sequencing technologies, lower the cost of genomic information, and catalyze the next phase of genomics in the 21st century.

About Gene by Gene
Gene by Gene is a world leader in genetic testing services with more than 20 years of experience.  Its laboratory holds accreditation from multiple agencies, including CAP, CLIA, New York State Department of Health, California Department of Public Health, and AABB.  With a cutting-edge laboratory and highly trained team of experts, Gene by Gene is committed to excellence in the field of genetic analysis.

Contacts

MyHeritage
Margaux Stelman
+972 52-953-4295
pr@myheritage.com

Ultima Genomics
Vikki Herrera
(408) 206-7009
vikki@oakstreetcommunications.com

Gene by Gene
Josie Zohny
jzohny@acmarketingpr.com

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Your Most Recent No-Name Ancestor

I'm not going to write about the ancestor most people might expect for tonight's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge from Randy Seaver.

Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission:  Impossible! music), is:

1.  Sometimes an ancestor or relative has no name at all — not even a given name (for males, we usually can surmise a surname, but . . .).  We all have millions of them.

2.  Tell us about one (or more) of your ancestors that have no given name and no birth surname who has perhaps married an ancestor with a given name and surname from whom you are descended.  (Don't worry, we'll do unknown parents some time soon.)

3.  When was the last time you looked for this no-name ancestor?

4.  Share information about your no-name ancestor(s) in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this blog post, or in a Facebook comment.

Okay, here's mine.

I'm sure many people would expect me to write about my paternal grandfather's father, whom I usually discuss when it comes to recent ancestors I haven't identified.  But in June I posted that I have decided his last name must be Mundy (or a spelling variant thereof), and I was already pretty sure his given name included "bert" in it.  So he really isn't a no-name ancestor anymore.

I'm going further afield.

The first person who next came to my mind is the father of my great-great-grandmother Beila, who married Simcha Dovid Mekler, possibly in Kamenets Litovsk (now Kamyanyets, Belarus).  I wrote about her in August for Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, "Five Questions for an Ancestor."  I know her given name, and I have estimated her year of death to be before 1924.  That's all I know about her.

So it stands to reason that I don't know anything about her father, who I am calling my "no-name ancestor" for the purpose of this post.

I admit I have never looked for him.  To be honest, I have barely looked for Beila.  I'm pretty sure both were born in the Russian Empire.  I think Beila was probably born in what was Grodno gubernia and is now part of Belarus.  Her father might have been born there, or possibly in what is now Lithuania.

If I could find a marriage record for Beila, it might include her father's name on it.  But because of the dearth of records for Jews in the former Grodno gubernia (most having been deliberately destroyed during World War II, to eradicate the history of the Jews in the area), it is unlikely I will ever find that marriage record.

If I could find a tombstone for Beila, it might have her father's name on it in Hebrew.  But the Jewish cemeteries in that area were also pretty thoroughly destroyed during World War II, and it is unlikely I will find that tombstone.

If I could find the family in a Russian revision list, perhaps the 1897 list, it would probably list her father's name and maybe even a maiden name.  Even a Russified version would be helpful.  I actually have tried searching for her, Simcha Dovid Mekler, and the two children I know of in the revision lists as transcribed on JewishGen.org, but I have not found them.  I know that many of the revision lists did not survive.  Perhaps one day a page with my family on it will be found in an attic or tucked inside the wall of a house.

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Your Disappeared Ancestors

When I hear about "disappeared" people nowadays, it usually has a more sinister connotation than what Randy Seaver means for today's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun exercise.

Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission:  Impossible! music), is:

1.  Sometimes an ancestor or relative just disappears out of the records and we cannot find another record after a certain date.

2.  Tell us about one or more of your relatives or ancestors that have disappeared and not been found since a certain date.  Do you have any idea of what might have happened to them?

3.  Share information about your disappearing relative or ancestor in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this blog post, or in a Facebook comment.

Based on the way Randy has set this up, I guess I can't use any of my early ancestors on my mother's side, because I haven't found them in any records yet, period, much less after a certain date.  Or at least not in any records about them.  I have found their names in later generations' records, which is why I have the names at all, but all I have is their names.

A relative on my mother's side for whom I have not found records after a given date is my great-grandmother's brother Sam Novak (originally Shmuel Nowicki).  I have found him immigrating to the United States in 1905.  I have found him with his family in censuses in 1920, 1925, and 1930 and on a 1942 World War II draft registration card.  I am pretty sure it's him on a 1940 census page, but not completely sure.  A daughter in the household appears to be the correct person, but his wife's name has been transcribed as "Verge", and I don't know if it's Sarah or not.  The census is a different address than 1930 and 1942, so that doesn't help.  And I can't seem to find him in the 1950 census.  As for Randy's question "Do you have any idea of what might have happened to them?", I'm sure he died, but I don't know when or where.  My guess for where is Brooklyn, but that's all I have.

Two ancestors on my father's side I don't know about after certain dates are my great-grandmother's parents.  I have been able to find documents for Joel Armstrong and Sarah Ann Lippincott from their births and early lives through 1885.  I believe I have found them each in 1900 and later, although I'm not always positive it's them.  I think I have found Sarah living with her aunt and uncle and my great-grandmother in 1900; I know I have found her in 1905 living with her older daughter.  I might have found Joel with a second wife in 1910 and 1920.  At this point I have guessed that they divorced sometime between 1880 and 1900, but I don't have a record for that.  And I've seen various death dates attributed to each of them but nothing with any documentation.  So again I'm sure they died, but I don't know for sure when or where.  My guess for where for each of them is Burlington County, New Jersey.  I've seen Joel listed with a death date of 1922 multiple times, but I can't find any records to verify that.  I don't remember what I have seen about Sarah, but I do remember nothing has had documentation.

Wordless Wednesday