Residents of Surry Hills have participated in a large-scale DNA testing project as part of an Australian documentary series uncovering unexpected ancestral connections.
Background and Format of the Series
The four-part documentary series, The Secret DNA of Us, began airing on SBS on 17 April 2025. Hosted by Marc Fennell, with Rae Johnston and Brad Argent, the program offers mass DNA testing to residents in four Australian locations, including Surry Hills. The series aims to reveal hidden family ties and reshape understandings of local and national identity through genetic science.
Developed over ten years and initially trialled in the Cotswolds, the project was ultimately realised in Australia. The featured locations span Bairnsdale, Geelong, Bathurst, and Surry Hills in Sydney’s inner suburbs.
Photo Credit: Marc Fennell/Facebook
Surry Hills Episode: Layers of Migration and Identity
In the Surry Hills episode, DNA results expose complex waves of migration and identity. Stories include links to Russian refugees who arrived through displacement camps and previously unknown ties to underworld figure Kate Leigh. These findings illustrate how successive immigration waves shaped the suburb’s distinctive social fabric.
While some family myths were debunked, others were confirmed in greater detail than previously known. Participants uncovered unexpected ethnic backgrounds and long-lost connections, with some discovering they were related to each other.
Ethical Considerations and Participant Experience
While many residents embraced the process, some declined due to concerns around genetic privacy and unexpected revelations. Series producers emphasised voluntary participation and prioritised community safety and emotional care. Participants were briefed on potential outcomes, including the discovery of unknown biological relatives or corrections to assumed ethnic identities.
The team stressed that while DNA offers powerful insights, it cannot replace cultural identity, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Ms Johnston noted that identity also involves connection and acceptance within communities, beyond genetic markers.
Broader Relevance and Impacts
The series reflects a shift in public attitudes towards Australian ancestry. Once-taboo connections, such as convict heritage, are now seen with interest or pride. The program encourages viewers to examine the roles ancestors may have played in Australia’s colonial and post-colonial narratives.
Mr Fennell explained that combining DNA analysis with historical records allows the team to reconstruct local and national stories, showing Australians as the latest chapter in a much older lineage.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Surry Hills instalment of The Secret DNA of Us airs as the second episode in the series, available weekly on SBS and SBS On Demand. The series demonstrates how combining scientific tools with personal narratives can transform perspectives on identity and reveal previously unknown historical links.
Published 24-Apr-2025