The Story Behind
DNA Testing Adviser

My name is Richard Hill. I’m the founder and sole author of DNA Testing Adviser, the Independent Guide to DNA Testing.

The Wall Street Journal wrote about my successful search for my biological roots in a cover story on May 2, 2009.

Family Secrets: An Adopted Man's 26-Year Quest for His Father. Richard Hill Uses Latest DNA Techniques And Lots of Shoe Leather to Solve a Riddle.

My adoptive father urged me to search for my birth family. And long after he died, I found the families of my birth mother and my birth father.

In the Adoption Search section of this web site I tell my story in more detail and explain the three different types of DNA testing I used to complete my search.

For a nice summary of my story, see the Grand Rapids Press. You can also watch me tell my story in a video interview on Roots Television.

My Purpose

My original purpose for creating this DNA Testing Adviser web site was to share what I learned with the adoption search community. But I now had biological roots to explore. So I got into genealogy. And I soon met many genealogists who knew little or nothing about genetic genealogy.

I decided to write DNA Testing Adviser for a broader audience of genealogists, adoptees, and anyone interested in paternity or sibling testing.

Your Feedback

I encourage visitors to use my Feedback Form. Tell me what you like about my site and if I was able to help you. Here are some examples of comments that have inspired me to keep expanding this site:

“I thank you for your open, caring approach to the struggle of others who share in the same dilemma. I have been searching for years and now, a new found hope. About to start with your advice. Great job.”
--Greg

“An article I read about your site has given me hope that there may be a way to search without intruding on my mother’s memory or my father’s life.”
--Keith

“Your article on line was the only thing I could find that helped explain the possible results [of a Sibling Test] and I do thank you for that!”
--Kathy

"For all of the online searching that I have been doing, your site explains the most clearly what DNA testing can and cannot confirm."
--Robin

Speaking Engagements

I have told my story in person to various audiences. Some want to learn about DNA testing. And others just want to be entertained by an intriguing story. If your genealogy group, adoption search group, or civic organization is looking for a speaker, please contact me through this site's Feedback Form.

Your Questions

You can also use my Feedback form to ask questions related to DNA testing. I try to answer every question individually by email. If I don’t get back to you right away, please be patient.

I do not charge to answer your DNA testing questions. My advice is completely free. I only ask that you explore my site thoroughly before you ask a question. There’s a good chance you will find the answer somewhere on this site.

ADVERTISING DISCLOSURE

In order to cover my out-of-pocket costs, I accept some limited advertising. Such compensation does not influence the information in this site. I always share my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, and experiences.

"Ads by Google" are not selected by me. Yet most of those sites provide additional useful information relevant to the subject of DNA testing. When you click on one of those links, I earn a small commission. However, I do not receive any additional compensation if you decide to purchase from a Google advertiser.

I only accept non-Google sponsorships from providers of high-quality goods or services that are relevant to the focus of this web site. Those are “affiliate” relationships. So compensation works the opposite of ads by Google. I receive nothing if you merely link to their site. But I may receive a small commission if you actually purchase something.

The Amazon.com ad on this page with relevant books on DNA testing and adoption search is an example of an affiliate advertisement. You could buy the same books by going directly to the Amazon site. The price would be the same. But I would not earn a commission.

The only DNA testing company with which I have an affiliate relationship is Family Tree DNA. If you link to their site from a link on DNA Testing Adviser, I am eligible for a commission on your purchase. However, they only pay a commission if you pay full price

Since I alert my readers whenever this company has a sale, the majority of my referrals have earned zero commission. Furthermore, I pay for all my own DNA tests at the same prices you would pay. So I have sent far more money to this company than they have sent to me.

Please do support my sponsors. This site takes time and effort to deliver original content, free, to you. Supporting my sponsors at DNA Testing Adviser is a WIN-WIN-WIN for you, me, and them. Thank you very much.

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