Avoid overwhelming your new DNA matches with too much genealogical information. Focus you first communication is trying to confirm who they are and how they connect to you. An informal, laid-back approach is best–but avoid being too familiar and immediately jumping into personal questions.

Your initial goal is to get a response and see if you can figure out the connection. Sometimes that’s a big goal.

Save the 6-generation pedigree chart for when you’ve determined just how interested they are.

We’re not suggesting hiding information–what we are suggesting is fostering a connection and an interaction.