Women discover they were switched at birth 72 years ago

DNA tests have confirmed Denice Juneski and Linda Jourdeans - both 72 - were switched at birth in 1945.

Denice Juneski and Linda Jourdeans. Source: Twitter - KARE 11

Two US women in their 70s have been united after discovering they were switched at birth.

Denice Juneski and Linda Jourdeans - both 72 - made the surprising discovery after separately undertaking a series of DNA tests.

Ms Juneski was the first to take a DNA test via website 23andMe, which showed her genealogy did not match that of her parents or siblings.

"I didn't match anybody," she told US outlet KARE 11. "Either [genealogy website] 23andMe made a mistake ... Or I was switched at birth."

The two women as babies. Source: YouTube - KARE 11

The answer soon presented itself, after the niece of Ms Jourdeans noticed that Ms Juneski was on her own DNA report.

So Ms Jourdeans' family notified Ms Juneski, and after one more DNA test just to be sure, the 72-year secret was uncovered.

The pair was born 31 minutes apart on December 17, 1945.

Linda Jourdeans (lower right) was the only redhead in her family. Source: YouTube - KARE 11

"Family photos offer anecdotal support for the DNA's scientific conclusion,"  KARE 11 reported.

"Linda, the redhead, is pictured growing up in a family of blondes - while Denice, the blonde, is surrounded by brunettes and redheads in pictures with her siblings and cousins."

Ms Juneski said, "It's a crazy thing ... People just automatically assume they got the right family".