Adoption Search:
DNA Finds Birth Parents

New DNA testing services designed for genealogy purposes can also be used for adoption search.

Male adoptees, like me, have used the Y-DNA test to determine the surnames of our biological fathers. This works, because certain genetic markers on a man’s Y chromosome get handed down from father to son—just like a last name.

Until recently, there has not been a really good test to help female adoptees. But all that has changed.

In late 2009 DNA testing company 23andMe introduced Relative Finder. Then early in 2010, Family Tree DNA introduced Family Finder. Both tests work for men and women.

I was a Beta tester for each product and I’m urging adoptees to get tested with one or both of them.

Similar in concept, each of these new tests looks at the many chromosomes where your DNA is a mixture of all your ancestors. By finding long strings of matching DNA segments, they find people who share a common ancestor with you. And they estimate your relationship, e.g. second cousins.

That common ancestor may have been on your mother’s side or your father’s side. These biological cousins may have the information you need to pinpoint your birth parents.

My Free Guide to DNA Testing

In addition to exploring this section of my web site, I suggest you download my free Guide.

I describe and compare the major DNA test types. Then I explain their purposes, strengths and limitations in a unique table that you will not find anywhere else.

This Guide provides the high level overview you need to put the various DNA tests in perspective.

Just click the title below to reach the download page.

How to Identify Ancestors and Confirm Relationships through DNA Testing

How Adoptees Use These Tests

To learn how adoptees use these tests see my Tracing Birth Parents page. Family Tree DNA also includes content specifically for adoptees on its Family Finder page.

NOTE: My links to other sites open in new windows. If they don't work, check your popup blocker.

Can DNA Help Birth Parents?

It’s not only adoptees that are engaged in adoption search. Sometimes the birth mother (or birth father) may decide to search for the child they gave up for adoption.

The DNA tests described here can only work in the opposite direction if the child you gave up for adoption (or one of his descendants) takes the same test. Since more and more adoptees will be using these tests every year, the chance of that happening will increase as times goes on.

In my opinion, it would be a wonderful, loving act if birth parents who had given up a child for adoption would also take these tests.

While you might not get an immediate match with your child, you are setting things up so your child can find you. Then, when your child or grandchild finally tests, you will both learn about each other at the same time.

In the meantime, you can learn more about your ancestors through your previously unknown cousins that show up as other matches. To learn more about these tests from a genealogist’s point of view, see the Family Trees section.

My Personal Adoption Search

To learn from my experience and see how each type of DNA testing can help identify birth parents, check out the following links in this order:

1. Finding Birth Parents

2. Parental DNA Testing

3. Genealogy DNA Testing

4. DNA Sibling Test

My Story on Family Tree DNA

Like me, the people at Family Tree DNA thought my story would be of interest to other adoptees. So they interviewed me and posted a video on their web site. You can view that video now by following the link on the bottom of my Adoptee Search page.

My Story in the WALL STREET JOURNAL

A science reporter from the Wall Street Journal found this web site and decided to do a story on my use of DNA in adoption search. The article began on the front page of the May 2, 2009 issue. You can read that article now by following the link on the bottom of my Birth Family Search page.

Beware of False Adoption Records

During my search I ran across several examples of "official" records that contained deliberately false or incorrect information. To see what I mean and learn how I overcame these obstacles, read my page on Adoption Records.

Adoption Reunions

As someone who has experienced adoption search and reunion twice, I have thought a lot about this subject. Here are my thoughts on adoption reunions.

Return from Adoption Search Intro to DNA Testing Home