It’s frustrating when DNA matches do not respond, but it’s a simple fact of life. Getting irritated about it won’t solve any problems. It is important to remember (some of these are tongue in cheek):

• some people never check the messages associated with their account
• some people never get the messages
• some people only wanted their ethnicity results
• some got the test as a present, did it, and really do not care
• some found a “surprise” in their results and decided to avoid it entirely
• some have died

There’s a few additional points worth remembering:

• some are confused by their results and don’t respond when they can’t figure the person out
• some adoptees are unable to help and don’t respond because of that
• others can’t help you so they don’t respond
• the match is so far back that they have no clue–and maybe no interest
• the match is on a family they really aren’t interested in
• your message didn’t provide any details about the kit they matched, where you think the match is
• your username sounds sketchy–“hotgenealogymama” may put some people off
• you help them discover their great-grandpa wasn’t their great-grandpa and then they stop communicating
• real life intervenes

Focus on the individuals who do respond and go from there.

Note: I made the name “hotgenealogymama” up and did not check to see if there is someone with that username on any DNA site. I’m sorry if that is your username.