How can I find out if me and my sister have the same father?

Question

Both of our parents are deceased, and according to our birth certificates, we both have the same father. However, an aunt has insisted that depsite this, we have different fathers. Is there anything we can do to determine this?

Answer 1

by DNA testing

Answer 2

Surfing the Web, I ran across a site that tests siblings to see if they have the same father. A sample of the mother's DNA is required for the greatest accuracy. Without her sample, the accuracy of the test ranges from zero to 90 percent. If you really want to know, it's probably well-worth the investment of $800.

P. S. Also, have a look at your and your sister's birth certificates. Ancestry.com, for example, has Texas birth certificates on line, or you can request a copy of the on file birth certificate from your birth county's county clerk. Even if you or your sister is given your presumed father's last name, the name of the father may be left blank, or only your mother may be listed particularly if your birth was some time ago. Such "gaps" that occurred in records more than half a century ago often indicated a possible illegitimate birth.

Whatever the out come of your research, however, please remember that your mother and presumed dad made the conscious decision to care for both you and your sister equally as their own.

See: http://www.dnatesting.com/siblingship_study.htm

Answer 3

DNA testing is the only sure way. But you know I had an aunt like this. She always started something after the person was gone and couldn't defend themselves. She didn't wait until death. She told everyone mom was pregnant & that was the only reason he married her. So mom went through a lot until they had been married for 9 months. It took 4 yrs. for the first child.

Maybe she's implying there was an affair. It's really cruel to say anything regardless of whether or not it happened. All marriages have problems and outsiders perceive events differently. The fact is he loved you all as his own. Because of that aunt I tortured myself for years wondering if I (the 2nd child) was the product of an affair. Then one day it hit me. I adored my dad and would never replace him with another even if I wasn't his. Blood runs deep but it must travel through the heart or it dries up, worthless. But the heart can be kept alive w/o blood running through it. Many would say that's artificial but all it needs to start working again on it's own is an infusion of the same TYPE of blood. So the heart is what matters and I couldn't have been raised by a more loving heart.

As deep into genealogy as I am I don't care if his blood runs through my veins his heart makes me his child and no other man's. My brother is my brother. That's the same way you should feel about yours.

I'd call her bluff. Make her give you details if you really want to know. Don't let her get by with playing this game on your emotions and memories. But first make sure you want to risk it.

Answer 4

Start by exploring what the aunt says - ask her the whole story and see if she has a name of who she thinks the other father is. See if she has any proof to back up her statement.

This is going to take some time to work out. If she can give you a name, then you can try to find the man.

Also check documents - your parents marriage license date vs. your or your sister's birthdate...If the marriage date preceeds the birth date, I think you can assume your aunt is wrong. Children born within a marriage are presumed to be the child of the mother's husband.

Frankly, it was not right of your aunt to divulge this if both of your parents died without doing so. The secret was not hers to tell, if it is even true. I'm suspicious of her motives -- clearly she has an agenda for telling you this. I'd ask her her motives, too.

Answer 5

If you really want to know the obvious answer is DNA testing. Are you certain you want to know? Personally, I would question the aunt closely, and any other relatives getting as much information as possible before I took such a step.

I've seen sibling DNA testing online from a company named Genetrack for £195.00, although I've no idea how reliable they are, the interested me because they have a DNA Ancestry project going.

EDIT I have no vested interest in Genetrack .

Answer 6

Why your aunt should choose to tell you this now I do not know but what she hopes to achieve I can't imagine, its cruel. Did she not like one of your parents and is hoping to get back at them all be it after they have gone.

Look at the info you have the certificates who declared your births, was it your father because that to me would say it all if the same man is named on your certificates and went and registered your births then I wouldn't look any further.

Now a man has to go with the woman to register the birth in order to have parental responsibility.

Look at your family photos of you as children family likeness is it there I know my son at various stages looked one minute like his dad and the next like me.

This man is on your birth certificate I assume he was there for both your sister and you throughout your child hood. Even if there is no genetic link for one of you to him, he was still your father through good times and bad and you both share the same mother. Try not to let what your aunt said spoil things it sounds to me you had two loving parents lock that away in your heart and remember them as such.

I hope you both find the answers you are looking for but sometimes thats not such a good idea.

Answer 7

Could you both have a DNA test to see if you are the same? Wondering why this aunt is saying this? What is her motive?

Answer 8

I wonder why your Aunt felt the need to tell you that.
But back to your question.
DNA sounds right, but I thought you would need to get your dads DNA from him to get an accurate result. But I'm not a scientist.
Is there anyone on your dads side of the family that may be able to add to your aunts comments?
I'm assuming she's on your mothers side?

Answer 9

You could have a dna test done, i think your aunt should have kept quiet. Why would she just tell you now all these years later? seems as if she is trying to stir things up to entertain herself. I would be very doubtful of what she is claiming.REMEMBER even if true she is still your sister.

Answer 10

Both sisters get a DNA test.

Answer 11

You can have a sibling DNA test. this takes longer than a normal test but is very accurate. Try on line to find somewhere that does it in your area.