Lauren's Genetic Genealogy

06/27/2026

Today, June 27 is recognized as NPE Awareness Day.

In genetics, a non-paternity event (also known as misattributed paternity, not parent expected, or NPE) occurs when an individual’s presumed father is not their biological father.

NPE discoveries can be incredibly complex and often bring up a wide range of emotions. Like adoption searches, these cases may involve a biological parent who may not even know they have a child. The difference is that adoptees usually grow up knowing they are adopted and not biologically related to the parents who raised them. In NPE cases, this discovery often comes unexpectedly through DNA testing.

When an NPE search has a positive outcome, like Cara’s did, it can bring a great deal of relief. But even as someone who works in genetic genealogy, I know that family is not always defined by DNA.

Read more here about Cara's search, a recently published solve:

*All names have been changed Search goal: Identify Cara’s biological father Cara reached out for help recently with her search. Cara had done an AncestryDNA test and discovered the father tha…

05/14/2026

After five years, I am happy to announce the completion of Esther's search!

Although it took some time, Esther and her family are very happy to finally have some answers about her father Max's biological families. Esther and I became great friends throughout this journey.

Read more here:

*All names have been changed Search goal: Identify Esther’s paternal grandparents Esther’s search is now the longest one I’ve worked on, but it’s proof I never give up and that there is alway…

04/05/2026

Pleased to be able to share an update and conclusion to Carmen's search, originally posted in 2024.

This search really emphasizes that people should DNA test and upload everywhere when looking for a biological relative- they may have been waiting on that one site all along..

Happy for Carmen to finally have her answers after 5 years of searching!

*All names have been changed Search goals: Identify Carmen’s biological parents and locate her siblings 2021 Carmen first reached out for help with her search in 2021. She was adopted and had…

12/31/2025

2025 is nearly over which means it's time for the fourth annual LGG year end wrap up post. If you know me you probably already know I enjoy stats and data so it's always fun to make this and look back on the year.

This year, 43 searches were completed originating in four different countries, with the majority being from Canada and 20 of the 43 originating in Ontario.
It was a busy year, with work, some speaking events, and a summer cemetery project, but this passion of helping others discover their biological roots is always a priority.

For those whose searches are still ongoing, I remain fully committed to each case and optimistic that answers will emerge in 2026. I never give up.
Several long-term searches were successfully resolved in 2025, including one that took three years: a reminder that there is always hope.

And of course, each person is more than a number! I have made countless friends and connections across the map this year. Thank you for trusting me with your search.

(Percentages below exceed 100% because some searches involved more than one generational category!)

All the best for 2026! 🧬

11/17/2025

Hanna’s search is one of the most unique ones I have ever done.

It is also one of the handful of searches I've done where true, deep, meaningful friendships arise- which is very fulfilling!

Read more here:

*All names have been changed Search goal: Identify Hanna’s biological father Hanna’s search is one of the most unique ones I have ever done. Last year, before I met Hanna, in the summer…

10/27/2025

The IGG Accreditation Exam is open to law enforcement professionals and IGG practitioners working on behalf of law enforcement, as well as those seeking to work or volunteer in both areas.

Read what Lauren Robilliard, AIGG, of the Toronto Police Service, had to say about her experience.

Ready to take the next step? Learn more at www.iggab.org/exam.html

10/24/2025

The Toronto Police Service made a significant impact at the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual conference in Denver. TPS won a prestigious Forensic Science Award and five members were invited to give presentations on training initiatives to address antisemitism, a new model to embed victim services in divisions, preventing disinformation and a case study on how TPS generated nearly a billion social media impressions with its viral engagement with Taylor Swift fans.
Read more: https://www.tps.ca/media-centre/stories/toronto-police-genealogists-win-forensic-science-a/

10/19/2025

In person registration is now open!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxu7sDWx-zo0dZnsGeG3wFF8BA_2S0oEeMsFtCc2LhfA3k3A/viewform?usp=send_form

Please join us as JGS Toronto member Lauren Robilliard takes us on her journey into investigative genetic genealogy.

In this talk, Lauren shares the unexpected path that started from a cemetery assignment while at university. What began as a personal quest to uncover biological roots evolved into a career solving real-world mysteries with Toronto Police Service’s cold-case unit. She chronicles the twists and turns of a personal quest that turned into a professional calling, offering insights into the power of genetic genealogy for both personal discovery and public good. Attendees will also learn what they can do to help solve a cold case.

📅 Date: Sunday 26 October 2025
🕒 Time: 10:30 AM ET
📍 Location:
In person at Congregation Shaarei Shomayim
(470 Glencairn Avenue, North York)
and online via Zoom

All are welcome to attend; advance registration is required. There is no charge for attendance at this program.

🔗 Register at jgstoronto.ca/programs

10/16/2025

Looking forward to speaking at JGS Toronto on Sunday Oct 26! In person registration is not open yet but if you want to watch by Zoom, you can register now.

I get asked all the time "how did you become an investigative genetic genealogist?" and this talk will cover it all! Including how you could help solve a cold case too.

Please join us as JGS Toronto member Lauren Robilliard takes us on her journey into investigative genetic genealogy.

In this talk, Lauren shares the unexpected path that started from a cemetery assignment while at university. What began as a personal quest to uncover biological roots evolved into a career solving real-world mysteries with Toronto Police Service’s cold-case unit. She chronicles the twists and turns of a personal quest that turned into a professional calling, offering insights into the power of genetic genealogy for both personal discovery and public good. Attendees will also learn what they can do to help solve a cold case.

📅 Date: Sunday 26 October 2025
🕒 Time: 10:30 AM ET
📍 Location:
In person at Congregation Shaarei Shomayim
(470 Glencairn Avenue, North York)
and online via Zoom

All are welcome to attend; advance registration is required. There is no charge for attendance at this program.

🔗 Register at jgstoronto.ca/programs

10/08/2025

It's been quiet here lately, with over a month since the last search solve blog post. However I am always working and checking on my long term cases, hoping that the right matches will appear or I'll have a research breakthrough. And there are many many searches pending, waiting for someone's test to appear or contact to be made when the time is right.

September did bring the exciting announcement of Canada's oldest case to be solved with IGG: The Woman in the Well, now given back her name: Alice Spence nee Burke. If you haven't read the story already, you can google it and do a little deep dive. Happy to have been part of the solve.