Tracing Partition-Era Family History with DNA Testing

The Partition of British India on August 15, 1947 was the largest mass migration in recorded human history. An estimated 15 million people were displaced as the subcontinent was divided along religious lines into India and Pakistan (and later Bangladesh in 1971). In the chaos of that upheaval, families were torn apart, entire communities scattered, and generations of oral history and paper records were lost forever.

Nearly eight decades later, the descendants of Partition survivors carry questions that census records and family stories alone cannot answer. Where exactly did our family come from? Do we have relatives on the other side of the border? What happened to the family members who were separated in 1947? Today, advances in DNA testing are opening a remarkable new chapter in Partition genealogy, offering tools that can bridge the gaps left by history's most traumatic migration.

The Scale of Partition's Impact on Families

To understand why DNA testing matters so deeply for Partition-era genealogy, we must first appreciate the sheer scale of disruption. The Partition did not merely relocate populations; it severed family networks that had existed for centuries in the unified subcontinent.

What Was Lost in 1947

• Paper Records Destroyed: Land deeds (pattas), birth certificates, marriage records, and school registers were destroyed in the communal violence or simply left behind during hurried evacuations. Entire municipal record offices were burned during riots in Lahore, Amritsar, Rawalpindi, and Noakhali
• Oral Traditions Interrupted: The elder generation who carried detailed knowledge of family lineages, village histories, and kinship networks were among the most vulnerable during the migration. Many perished during the journey or in refugee camps
• Community Networks Shattered: Extended family systems (biradari, gotra, khandan) that had functioned as living genealogical records were split across borders, making it impossible to reconstruct complete family trees
• Name and Identity Changes: Some families changed their surnames or adopted new identities during and after Partition to integrate into their new communities, making it even harder to trace connections
• Refugee Camp Dispersion: Families who arrived together in refugee camps were often dispersed to different resettlement colonies across India or Pakistan, losing touch with even close relatives

The Numbers Behind the Displacement

The Partition affected nearly every region of the subcontinent, but the impact was concentrated in specific areas. Punjab saw the most intense displacement, with roughly 10 million people crossing the new border. Bengal experienced the movement of approximately 5 million people, though Bengali migration continued in waves through the 1950s and into 1971. Sindhi Hindus, numbering around 1.2 million, left Sindh for India over a more protracted period.

Within these migrations, every family has its own story of separation. A Sikh family from Lyallpur (now Faisalabad) might have relatives who stayed behind and converted. A Muslim family from Jalandhar might have left behind property and kin who refused to leave. A Hindu family from Dhaka might have split, with some going to Kolkata and others staying until 1971. These individual stories, multiplied by millions, create an enormous web of broken family connections that DNA testing can now begin to mend.

The Genetics of Partition: Why DNA Cannot See Borders

One of the most profound revelations of modern genetics is that the 1947 border between India and Pakistan has absolutely no genetic basis. DNA does not recognize political boundaries drawn by colonial administrators. The populations on either side of the Radcliffe Line are, in genetic terms, virtually identical.

Shared Ancestry Across the Border

• Punjabis: Punjabi Muslims in Pakistan and Punjabi Hindus or Sikhs in India share nearly identical genetic profiles. Studies using genome-wide SNP data show that a Jat Sikh from Amritsar and a Jat Muslim from Lahore are more genetically similar to each other than either is to a South Indian Brahmin. The shared ancestry components, including Ancestral North Indian (ANI), Ancestral South Indian (ASI), and steppe pastoralist ancestry, show overlapping distributions across the Punjab region regardless of current nationality
• Bengalis: West Bengali Hindus and Bangladeshi Muslims are genetically indistinguishable at the population level. Both groups carry the characteristic East-shifted South Asian profile with slightly elevated East Asian ancestry compared to other South Asians, a legacy of millennia of interaction with Southeast Asian and Tibeto-Burman populations
• Sindhis: Hindu Sindhis who moved to India during Partition and Muslim Sindhis who remained in Pakistan share the same genetic heritage, with a distinctive profile showing both Iranian-related farmer ancestry and varying levels of steppe and AASI components
• Muhajirs and Their Source Populations: Urdu-speaking Muhajirs who migrated from various parts of India to Pakistan carry genetic profiles matching their regions of origin (UP, Bihar, Hyderabad), not their current residence in Karachi or Hyderabad, Sindh

How DNA Testing Works for Finding Partition-Era Relatives

DNA testing for genealogical purposes works by comparing your genetic data against a database of other tested individuals. When two people share significant stretches of identical DNA, the testing company identifies them as genetic matches and estimates the degree of relationship. Here is how the process works and what different levels of DNA sharing mean.

Understanding DNA Matching Categories

The amount of DNA shared between two individuals is measured in centimorgans (cM), a unit that reflects the length of shared genetic segments. The more cM you share with someone, the closer your biological relationship.

Relationship	Shared DNA (cM)	Shared DNA (%)	What It Means
Identical Twin	~3,400 cM	~100%	Complete genetic match; same person or identical twin
Parent / Child	~3,400 cM	~50%	One full copy of each chromosome shared; always exactly 50%
Full Sibling	2,300-3,400 cM	~38-50%	Variable sharing; siblings can share between 38% and 50% on average
Grandparent / Grandchild	1,150-2,050 cM	~25%	One generation removed; approximately half the parent-child amount
Uncle-Aunt / Niece-Nephew	1,200-2,100 cM	~25%	Similar range as grandparent; context needed to distinguish
Half Sibling	1,150-2,050 cM	~25%	Shares one parent; same range as grandparent relationship
First Cousin	550-1,200 cM	~12.5%	Shares one set of grandparents; the most common useful Partition-era match
First Cousin Once Removed	225-810 cM	~6.25%	Parent's first cousin or first cousin's child
Second Cousin	40-400 cM	~3.13%	Shares one set of great-grandparents; common for Partition families
Third Cousin	0-200 cM	~0.78%	Shares great-great-grandparents; may or may not be detected
Fourth Cousin or Beyond	0-100 cM	<0.2%	Distant relation; often undetectable by DNA testing

The Generational Challenge

Since the Partition occurred nearly 80 years ago, the people who were adults in 1947 have largely passed away. This means that the descendants searching today are typically grandchildren or great-grandchildren of the Partition generation. At the second-cousin level and beyond, DNA matching becomes less reliable because the amount of shared DNA decreases with each generation. A third cousin, for instance, might share only 0-200 cM, and some third cousins share no detectable DNA at all.

This generational distance makes it crucial to test older family members whenever possible. If your grandfather who survived Partition is still alive, his DNA test will yield matches that are one generation closer and therefore much stronger. A first-cousin match for him would appear as a first-cousin-once-removed match for you, with significantly more shared DNA.

Practical Guide: DNA Testing for Partition-Era Descendants

If you believe your family was affected by Partition and want to use DNA testing to explore your genealogy, follow this step-by-step approach to maximize your chances of meaningful discoveries.

Step 1: Document What You Already Know

Before ordering any DNA test, gather every piece of information your family has about its pre-Partition history. Interview older relatives and record their memories. Key details to collect include:

• The name of the ancestral village or city (in pre-Partition terms, such as "Lyallpur" rather than "Faisalabad")
• The district and province (Punjab, Sindh, Bengal, NWFP)
• Family surnames, especially pre-Partition surnames if they were changed
• Names of relatives who were separated or left behind
• The caste, clan, or biradari affiliation (Jat, Khatri, Rajput, Arain, Sheikh, etc.)
• Any known migration route (refugee camp locations, transit points)
• Religious conversions that may have occurred during or after Partition

Step 2: Choose the Right DNA Test

For Partition genealogy, autosomal DNA testing is the most useful type because it tests all ancestral lines and provides relative matching. Y-DNA (paternal line) and mitochondrial DNA (maternal line) tests are useful supplements but will not identify specific relatives. Consider testing with multiple services:

• Helixline: Purpose-built for South Asian ancestry with the highest-resolution analysis of Indian and Pakistani genetic variation, making it ideal for distinguishing between closely related subcontinental populations
• AncestryDNA: Largest global database (25+ million), maximizing the chance of finding matches, though adoption in Pakistan and Bangladesh is low
• 23andMe: Popular among diaspora South Asians in the US, UK, and Canada; good for finding NRI relatives
• MyHeritage: Growing database in the Middle East and India; popular in Israel where many families have South Asian connections
• FamilyTreeDNA: Specializes in Y-DNA and mtDNA tests that can confirm patrilineal and matrilineal ancestry

Step 3: Test the Oldest Living Relatives First

DNA shared with relatives decreases by approximately half with each generation. If your grandmother who survived Partition is still alive, her DNA test is far more valuable than yours for this purpose. She will share twice as much DNA with her generation's relatives as you will. Prioritize testing:

1. Surviving Partition-generation individuals (those born before 1947)
2. Their children (born 1940s-1960s)
3. Grandchildren (born 1960s-1990s)
4. Great-grandchildren (born after 1990)

Step 4: Upload to Third-Party Databases

Since different testing companies maintain separate databases, a match on AncestryDNA will not appear on 23andMe and vice versa. To maximize your reach across borders, upload your raw DNA data to free third-party platforms:

• GEDmatch: The most widely used free database that accepts uploads from all major testing companies. It allows matching across platforms and is popular among South Asian genealogists
• DNA.Land: A research-oriented platform that provides additional ancestry analysis and matching capabilities
• MyHeritage: Accepts free uploads from other companies and provides matching against its own user base
• FamilyTreeDNA: Also accepts transfers from some other companies

Step 5: Analyze Your Matches Systematically

When your results arrive, you will likely see dozens or hundreds of genetic matches. For Partition research, focus on matches that share 50 cM or more (roughly second-cousin level and closer). Look for matches with South Asian ancestry who are located in Pakistan, Bangladesh, or the diaspora communities in the UK, Middle East, or North America. Contact promising matches with a polite message explaining your Partition-era research.

Cross-Border DNA Matching: Challenges and Solutions

While DNA testing technology is universal, the practical challenges of matching relatives across the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders are significant. Understanding these obstacles can help you develop realistic expectations and strategies.

Database Asymmetry

The biggest challenge is that DNA testing adoption varies dramatically between countries. India has seen growing adoption of consumer DNA tests, particularly among urban, educated populations. Pakistan has much lower adoption rates, partly due to lower awareness, higher costs relative to income, and limited marketing by testing companies. Bangladesh has even lower adoption. This means that even if your Pakistani or Bangladeshi relatives exist, they may not be in any DNA database.

Different Companies in Different Countries

When DNA testing is used in Pakistan, the preferred companies often differ from those popular in India. Indian users frequently choose 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or Helixline. Pakistani users who do test tend to use MyHeritage or AncestryDNA, often through family members in the UK, US, or Middle East. Bangladeshi users are rarest of all. This fragmentation means your relatives might be in a database you are not in.

The Diaspora Bridge

One of the most effective strategies for cross-border matching is leveraging diaspora communities. British Pakistanis in the UK, for instance, have relatively high DNA testing rates because of the popularity of genealogy in Britain. Similarly, Pakistani-Americans and Bangladeshi-Americans in the US may have tested. Your cross-border relatives may already be in a database, but through their diaspora descendants rather than through residents of Pakistan or Bangladesh themselves.

• United Kingdom: Home to approximately 1.5 million British Pakistanis and 600,000 British Bangladeshis, many of whom are interested in genealogy. The UK has one of the highest DNA testing rates in the world
• United States: The Pakistani-American community (~500,000) and Bangladeshi-American community (~200,000) include many professionals who have taken DNA tests
• Middle East: Large Pakistani and Bangladeshi worker populations in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. While testing rates are lower, some expatriates have tested
• Canada: Growing South Asian diaspora with high DNA testing adoption rates

What DNA Results Reveal About Partition-Affected Communities

DNA testing does not just find specific relatives; it also illuminates the broader genetic patterns of communities affected by Partition. Here is what different communities typically discover:

West Punjabi Refugees (from Pakistani Punjab)

Families who migrated from West Punjab (now in Pakistan) to Indian Punjab, Delhi, or other parts of India will find their DNA results clustering firmly with Punjabi populations regardless of religion. Jat Sikhs, Khatri Hindus, and Arain Muslims from the same region show highly overlapping genetic profiles. The primary ancestral components are Ancestral North Indian (ANI) with significant steppe pastoralist ancestry (typically 15-25%), moderate AASI ancestry, and Iranian-related farmer ancestry. If you are a West Punjabi refugee descendant, your DNA matches will include people in Pakistani Punjab who share your ancestral genetic profile.

Sindhi Hindus

Sindhi Hindus who left Sindh for India carry a genetic profile that is distinctive within India: it shows higher Iranian-related ancestry than most Indian populations and moderate steppe ancestry, reflecting Sindh's position as a gateway between South Asia and Central/West Asia. Your DNA results will show strong matches with Sindhis in Pakistan and may show affinity with Baloch and Brahui populations as well.

Bengali Partition Refugees

Families displaced during the Bengal Partition (both 1947 and 1971) will find their DNA results virtually identical to Bangladeshi populations. Bengali DNA characteristically shows the South Asian profile with slightly elevated East Asian ancestry (3-8%), reflecting millennia of interaction with Tibeto-Burman and Austroasiatic-speaking populations. Upper-caste Bengali Hindus and Bengali Muslims show very similar genetic profiles, with the main variation being a slightly higher steppe ancestry component in some Brahmin groups.

Muhajir Families

Urdu-speaking Muhajir families who moved from various parts of India to Pakistan (especially Karachi) will find their DNA reflects their specific region of origin, not their current residence. A Muhajir family from Lucknow will show the typical UP genetic profile; one from Hyderabad will show the Deccan profile. This can be useful for confirming oral histories about ancestral origins.

Building a Family Tree When Paper Records Are Lost

For many Partition-affected families, DNA testing is not just about finding living relatives; it is about reconstructing a family tree that was destroyed when records were lost. Here is how to use DNA data in combination with other sources to rebuild your genealogy.

Combining DNA with Oral History

Start with what your family remembers. Even fragmentary oral histories contain valuable clues: the name of a village, a profession (such as "our family were landowners in Sialkot"), a clan or gotra name, or the memory of relatives who were left behind. DNA matches can then be used to confirm or refine these oral traditions. If your family says you come from Sialkot and your DNA matches include people who independently claim Sialkot origins, that is strong corroboration.

Using Cluster Analysis

Modern genetic genealogy techniques allow you to cluster your DNA matches into groups. Matches who share DNA with each other and with you likely descend from the same ancestral couple. By identifying these clusters, you can reconstruct branches of your family tree even without paper records. The Leeds Method and the Shared Matches tool on AncestryDNA are particularly useful for this.

Historical Records That Survived

Not all records were destroyed during Partition. Several archives and resources can supplement your DNA findings:

• British India Census Records (1871-1941): Available digitally through the British Library and FamilySearch. These include village-level population data organized by caste and religion
• Land Revenue Records: Some pre-Partition land records (patwari records) have survived in district archives in both India and Pakistan
• Refugee Registration Cards: The Indian and Pakistani governments issued registration cards to refugees. Some of these are preserved in the National Archives of India
• Railway Records: Special refugee trains were documented. The Railway Board archives contain some records of these movements
• Sikh Records: The Sikh Reference Library (partially reconstructed after 1984) and various gurdwara records contain genealogical information for Sikh families
• The 1947 Partition Archive: A non-profit initiative that has recorded over 10,000 oral histories from Partition survivors and witnesses, searchable by location and family name

Ethical Considerations and Emotional Preparation

Pursuing Partition genealogy through DNA testing is not merely a scientific exercise. It involves deep emotional, cultural, and sometimes political dimensions that require careful navigation.

Emotional Preparation

DNA testing can surface family secrets and unexpected truths. Partition was accompanied by widespread violence, abduction, and sexual assault. Some discoveries may be painful:

• Unexpected Parentage: DNA may reveal that a family member's biological parent was not who the family believed. During the chaos of Partition, children were separated from parents, adopted by other families, or born of assault. These revelations require sensitivity
• Religious Conversion: Some matches may reveal relatives who converted religions during or after Partition. A Hindu family may discover Muslim relatives, or vice versa. Approach these discoveries with openness rather than judgment
• Discovering Absent Branches: You may find an entire branch of your family that survived on the other side of the border, only to learn that they believed your branch had perished. Or you may confirm that relatives who were never heard from again did not survive
• Intergenerational Trauma: For many families, Partition is still a raw wound. Discoveries that reopen these memories should be shared gently and with respect for the emotional weight they carry

Political Sensitivity

India-Pakistan relations remain tense, and cross-border contact can sometimes be viewed with suspicion by authorities or community members. When reaching out to DNA matches across the border:

• Use neutral, genealogy-focused language in your initial outreach
• Avoid discussing political topics, especially territorial disputes
• Be aware that citizens of India and Pakistan face restrictions on travel to each other's countries
• Social media platforms where you connect with matches may be monitored; keep conversations focused on family history
• Respect that some matches may not be comfortable with cross-border contact due to family or community pressure

Privacy and Data Considerations

DNA testing involves sharing sensitive biological data with commercial companies. Before testing, understand:

• Each company's privacy policy regarding data storage, sharing, and deletion
• That your DNA data could potentially be used for law enforcement purposes in some jurisdictions
• That by testing, you are also revealing genetic information about your relatives who have not consented to testing
• The option to use a pseudonym on most platforms to protect your identity while still matching with relatives

Approaches to Successful Cross-Border Reconnection

While DNA testing is still relatively new in South Asia, several approaches have emerged that demonstrate the potential of genetic genealogy for Partition-era families.

The Diaspora-to-Homeland Match

The most common successful approach involves diaspora intermediaries. A British-Pakistani man in London takes a DNA test and matches with an Indian-Punjabi woman in Delhi. Through their shared DNA and family trees, they discover their grandfathers were brothers from the same village in undivided Punjab. The grandfathers lost contact in 1947, with one going to Lahore and the other to Amritsar. The diaspora connection, made possible by the high adoption of DNA testing in the UK, bridged a gap that the India-Pakistan border had made impassable.

The Multi-Generation Cluster Approach

A second effective approach involves testing multiple members of the same family across generations. By testing three or four people from different branches of a family, you create multiple "hooks" in the DNA database. Each person will have slightly different matches because of the random nature of genetic inheritance. Testing a paternal cousin and a maternal cousin simultaneously doubles your effective reach into both sides of the family's Partition-era network.

The Surname-Targeted Approach

For families with distinctive surnames or clan names, combining DNA results with surname databases can be particularly effective. If your family is from a specific Rajput clan, Jat got, or Khatri subcaste, you can focus your outreach on DNA matches who share the same clan identity. Many South Asian genealogy forums and Facebook groups are organized by surname or clan, and posting your DNA findings in these communities can quickly surface connections.

The Ancestral Village Approach

If you know your ancestral village, research whether any of its former residents or their descendants have taken DNA tests. Online communities dedicated to specific Partition-era villages exist on social media, and members sometimes coordinate group DNA testing to reconstruct the genetic map of their ancestral community. Websites like Punjab Encyclopaedia and the Partition Archive maintain searchable databases of village-level information.

The Future of Partition Genealogy and DNA

As DNA testing becomes more affordable and widespread in South Asia, the potential for Partition genealogy will only grow. Several developments are on the horizon that may accelerate progress.

Growing South Asian Databases

Companies like Helixline are specifically building databases focused on South Asian populations, providing higher resolution for distinguishing between closely related subcontinental groups. As these databases grow, the chance of finding cross-border matches increases exponentially. Every new person who tests is not just finding their own matches; they are also becoming a potential match for someone else.

AI-Powered Genealogy

Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly being used to analyze DNA match networks and predict family relationships. These tools can identify patterns across hundreds of matches simultaneously, reconstructing family trees that would take human genealogists years to piece together. For Partition research, where records are scarce, AI-assisted analysis can compensate for gaps in documentation.

Collaborative International Projects

Academic and non-profit initiatives are beginning to focus on the genetics of Partition-affected populations. The 1947 Partition Archive, which has recorded thousands of oral histories, is exploring ways to integrate genetic data with testimonial evidence. Such projects could create comprehensive, searchable databases linking genetic matches with historical narratives.

Declining Costs

The cost of DNA testing has dropped dramatically over the past decade, from several hundred dollars to under $100 for a basic autosomal test. As prices continue to fall, adoption in price-sensitive markets like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh will increase, expanding the databases that make cross-border matching possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can DNA testing reunite families separated during the 1947 Partition?

Yes, DNA testing can help identify biological relatives across the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders. When two people share enough DNA segments (measured in centimorgans), testing companies flag them as genetic matches. If relatives on both sides of the border take the same DNA test, the platform will identify the relationship. However, success depends on both parties being in the same database, which remains a challenge since DNA testing adoption differs between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Testing with multiple companies and uploading to free third-party platforms like GEDmatch significantly increases your chances.

How genetically similar are Indians and Pakistanis?

Indians and Pakistanis from the same pre-Partition region are genetically nearly identical. A Punjabi Muslim from Lahore and a Punjabi Hindu or Sikh from Amritsar share the same ancestral genetic profile because the border drawn in 1947 was political, not biological. Similarly, Sindhis on both sides of the border, and Bengalis in West Bengal and Bangladesh, are genetically indistinguishable at the population level. The genetic differences between a North Indian and a South Indian are far greater than those between Indians and Pakistanis from the same region.

What is the best DNA test for finding relatives separated by Partition?

For finding Partition-era relatives, the best approach is to test with multiple companies to maximize your database coverage. AncestryDNA has the largest global database (over 25 million users) but limited South Asian adoption. 23andMe is popular among diaspora South Asians. MyHeritage has growing presence in India and the Middle East. Helixline is purpose-built for South Asian populations with the highest-resolution analysis available. Testing with at least two services, or using free third-party tools like GEDmatch that allow cross-platform matching, gives you the broadest reach.

Can DNA testing confirm family stories about Partition migration?

DNA testing can often corroborate family oral histories about Partition-era origins. If your family says they came from a specific region before Partition, your DNA results should show genetic affinity with populations from that area. For example, if your family claims roots in West Punjab (now Pakistan), your DNA should cluster with Punjabi populations. Your DNA matches may also include people who independently trace their ancestry to the same region or village, providing additional confirmation. However, DNA works at the regional level and cannot pinpoint a specific village or city.

Conclusion: DNA as a Bridge Across History's Deepest Divide

The Partition of 1947 created a wound that runs through millions of South Asian families. For nearly eight decades, political tensions, bureaucratic barriers, and the simple passage of time have made it nearly impossible for separated families to reconnect. Paper records were lost, witnesses passed away, and oral traditions faded with each generation.

DNA testing offers something genuinely new: a record that cannot be burned, lost, or forgotten. Your genetic code carries the signatures of your ancestry regardless of what happened to the family Bible, the land records, or the refugee registration card. It connects you to relatives who share your blood, even if you have never met them and even if a border lies between you.

For the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Partition, DNA testing is more than a scientific curiosity. It is a tool for healing, for completing family stories that were interrupted by history, and for proving what genetics has always known: the people on both sides of the Radcliffe Line are one family.

If your family was affected by Partition and you want to begin exploring your genetic heritage, order your Helixline DNA kit to take the first step toward discovering what the borders of 1947 could never erase.