DNA Testing Update

May 17, Adoptee Comedy Show May 21

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:34:27 GMT

The Adoptee Comedy Show will occur on May 21 in San Francisco. Sponsored by the Mixed Roots Foundation, it will raise funds to help offset costs of DNA testing for adoptees and their families. The event will be live streamed over the Internet. Start time is 8:00 p.m. Pacific time.

May 12, How Population Finder Discovers Ethnic Ancestry from Your DNA

Sat, 12 May 2012 23:00:05 GMT

An independent review of Population Finder, the ethnic ancestry report in the Family Finder DNA test from Family Tree DNA.

May 9, 23andMe to Raise Price, Drop Subscription

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:32:06 GMT

23andMe has been selling its combined health/genealogy DNA test for $99 up front plus $9/month subscription fee for a Personal Genome Service. With the 12-month minimum subscription, the total minimum cost was $207 plus shipping. This plan was widely unpopular and has drawn criticism across the Internet. Now 23andMe has decided to drop the subscription program and raise the price to $299. This will take effect sometime this Thursday, May 10. Those currently on the subscription program will not be charged additional fees once their 12-month subscription requirement has been met. Until Thursday you can still buy under the old terms for a total price of $207 with more than half of that to be paid later. If you have been thinking about placing an order, now is the time to do it. See the following link.

May 8, Documentary Film on Adoption Search

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:26:20 GMT

I recently learned about Priscilla Sharp, an adoptee and a search angel helping reunite adoptees and birth families. Here's a link to Beloved Strangers, a planned documentary film about some of the cases she has solved.

May 4, The Adoption Search Guide: How DNA Can Find Your Biological Parents

Fri, 04 May 2012 17:57:39 GMT

Learn how DNA Testing has changed adoption search. Find your biological parents through genetic genealogy. Get tips from one who did it.

May 3, New AncestryDNA Officially Launched

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:32:24 GMT

I mentioned earlier that I have been a Beta tester for a new autosomal DNA test from Ancestry.com. While the test is still rolling out by invitation only, the test has now been officially announced. The following link leads to a description of the new test including price information. Ancestry.com DNA testing

May 2, Mixed Roots Foundation

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:35:26 GMT

I have accepted an invitation to be an Advisory Board Member at the Mixed Roots Foundation. This non-profit organization serves the adoption community and I will be helping them educate adoptees about the use of DNA testing to discover biological heritage.

Apr 27, Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:41:31 GMT

Earlier this week I watched a webinar called Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living. This is something that adoptees and those helping them must do to get from deceased common ancestors to living relatives who might have knowledge of birth parents. Megan Smolenyak discussed a lot of useful tools and tips. You can watch a recording of the webinar free until May 7. Click the link below and then look for a link at the right side of the page to view prior webinars. Click that link and then the Watch Now button for this webinar. You can also buy a CD of the webinar that reportedly includes four pages of handouts.

Apr 19, DNA Day Sale at Family Tree DNA

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:52:48 GMT

In honor of DNA Day (April 20) Family Tree DNA has announced a very brief sale on nearly the entire line of genetic genealogy tests. The sale starts now and ends at 11:59PM on Saturday April 21st. You don't need a coupon.

Apr 4, My First Look at New Ancestry DNA Test

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:25:46 GMT

I am one of the early testers of the new SNP-based autosomal DNA test from Ancestry.com. This will be a third option in the same category as Family Finder from Family Tree DNA and Relative Finder from 23andMe. Last week I participated in a company phone conference with other bloggers and yesterday I received my results. The AncestryDNA test focuses on genealogy and ethnicity and ignores health testing. This positions it more like Family Finder. However, you must go though an internal system to contact your matches. Plus, all the matching features require an ongoing subscription to a new service called Ancestry Connections. This makes it function more like Relative Finder. The most interesting feature is the option to link your DNA account to your tree on Ancestry.com. If your match also links a public tree to her account, you can browse her tree. It also lists surnames and geographic locations that the two of you have in common. In some cases it may even suggest the possible common ancestor. Due to the limited size of the database, the only matches I show now are a few distant cousins (5th to 8th). Their projection of my genetic ethnicity is a reasonable match to what I know about the origins of my ancestors. The company expects the roll-out in availability and added features to span the rest of 2012. No pricing has been announced--either for the initial price or the required subscription. I will report on this in more detail after I know a lot more and have some closer matches to work with.

Apr 4, Site Traffic Jumps due to Finding Your Roots

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:15:04 GMT

According to Google Analytics, traffic to my DNA Testing Adviser web site made a significant upward jump on March 25 and has remained higher than normal in the ten days since. The added traffic came almost entirely from search engines. I can only think of one explanation for this. The first episode of Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. ran on March 25. Some fraction of the viewers must have been motivated to search the Internet for more information on DNA testing. Hopefully, many of them will move beyond mere curiosity and actually order DNA tests...expanding the key databases that genealogists and adoptees depend on for matches.

Mar 30, Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:08:22 GMT

My blogger friend, Blaine Bettinger, has provided some insights into how DNA testing is used on the PBS television series “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.” For example, all guests on Finding Your Roots used both 23andMe and FTDNA for DNA testing. All African Americans participating in the series also used African Ancestry. While the guests receive all their results, we may not always see them. Follow this link to The Genetic Genealogist to learn more.

Mar 29, New Law Gives Birth Records to Adoptees

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:46:09 GMT

Adoptees born in the state of Illinois can now request their Original Birth Certificate. This article reports on a few of the happy stories resulting from this huge breakthrough.

Mar 16, FTDNA Discount for World Vital Records

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:57:43 GMT

As reported earlier, Family Tree DNA has teamed up with MyHeritage to make DNA tests available to their international customer base of 62 million users. Now FTDNA users can make use of the MyHeritage World Vital Records collection at a significantly reduced price. The collection includes: - More than 4 billion historical names - Half a billion exclusive family tree profiles - Birth, marriage, death and census records - Millions of newspapers dating back to 1739 - Millions of tombstone photos - Hundreds of exclusive online databases - Millions more records added each month Unlimited one year access is now available to Family Tree DNA customers and friends at the special price of $69.95. This represents a savings of 53% over the regular price. Plus, you will receive two additional months for free. This offer is only available until March 24, 2012.

Mar 15, 1940 Census Goes Public in April 2012

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:17:20 GMT

Data from the 1940 Census will finally become public in April. This could be a huge help to many baby boomer adoptees looking for birth parents. Here's what Ancestry.com says about it: On April 2, 1940, there were 132,164,569 people living in America. And today, 87 percent of Americans can find a direct family link to one – or more – of them. When the 1940 U.S. Federal Census is opened to the public this April, you’ll have a window into every one of those 132 million lives. Their names, where they lived, who shared their house, even where they were five years earlier. And that’s just for starters.

Mar 8, Reverse Genealogy Webinar

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:15:39 GMT

Adoptees seeking birth families are discovering distant ancestors through DNA testing. Now they need to trace the children of those ancestors forward in time to descendants living in the time and place of their birth. That is reverse genealogy. Megan Smolenyak is offering a free webinar on this subject. I have registered to attend and I suggest you consider joining me.

Feb 27, Great Essay on Adoptee Rights

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:54:45 GMT

This is one of the best essays I have seen on adoptee rights. The author, Adam Pertman, is Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. Until the laws are changed in all 50 states, DNA testing will remain the last and best hope for adoptees and birth families to be reunited

Feb 17, MyHeritage Offers Tests from Family Tree DNA

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:55:33 GMT

MyHeritage is the most popular family network on the web with over 62 million users. The company just announced a partnership with Family Tree DNA to offer DNA tests to its members. Their results will become part of the already large FTDNA databases. This is exciting news for the genealogy community as a whole. Current genetic genealogy databases are heavily dominated by Americans and other former British colonies. But MyHeritage has tremendous reach around the globe. Attracting a flood of testers from a greater variety of countries can help all of us rediscover the family connections that were broken by emigration hundreds of years ago.

Feb 9, Guide to DNA Testing now in French

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:28:12 GMT

I wish to offer my sincere thanks to Réal Rodrigue from Québec. He has translated my Guide to DNA Testing into French. Réal heard me speak at the 7th International Conference on Genetic Genealogy. Simply click the following link to download the French Guide. Richard Hill
DNA Testing Adviser

Feb 8, Choosing a DNA Ancestry Test

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:24:55 GMT

Richard Hill, the DNA Testing Adviser, shares his recommendations for genealogists and adoptees that are looking for a DNA ancestry test.

Feb 6, Relative Finder Transfer Deal Ends Saturday

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:05:43 GMT

Family Tree DNA's introductory pricing to accept transfers from 23andMe (Relative Finder) into the FTDNA Family Finder ends this Saturday, February 10. I recommend that all adoptees and genealogists get their DNA into the Family Finder database. If you have been tested at 23andMe and have NOT already taken the Family Finder DNA test, you need to take advantage of the intro price NOW. I have not heard the new pricing, but I am sure it will be quite a bit higher. If you're paying a subscription at 23andMe, you have taken their V3 test. The transfer fee is only $50. If you tested with 23andMe before the subscription fee was instituted, you probably have a V2 test. The transfer process will certify you for retesting at a total cost of only $159. Click the link below, choose Products from the top of the page, and scroll down to the THIRD PARTY section. Select Transfer Relative Finder to learn more and initiate the process.

Feb 2, Who Do You Think You Are?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:13:08 GMT

Who Do You Think You Are is back for a 3rd season and will premier this Friday, February 3 at 8/7c on NBC. Martin Sheen will lead off the series and other celebrities exploring their family trees include Marissa Tomei, Blair Underwood, Helen Hunt, Jerome Bettis, Robb Lowe, and Paula Deen.

Feb 2, FTDNA Accepts Transfers from 23andMe

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:52:04 GMT

Family Tree DNA now accepts transfers of raw DNA data from 23andMe into Family Finder. If you were tested with the latest (V3) chip at 23andMe, you can now transfer your data to Family Tree DNA for an introductory price of only $50. If you were tested with the prior (V2) chip at 23andMe, you will need to be retested with an FTDNA test kit. But by going through the transfer process, you get certified as a 23andMe user and will receive a coupon for a steeply discounted Family Finder test. Family Finder is similar to the Relative Finder feature at 23andMe. So transferring lets you get matches in BOTH databases--an excellent move for both genealogists and adoptees. You become a full fledged Family Finder user with all the special tools and reports. This includes Population Finder, which provides the best available look at your ethnic ancestry. If you're already a Family Finder user, you don't have to do anything. But once the transfers are processed, you could pick up many more matches from the influx of new users. I transferred a V3 data set today to test the ordering and transfer process. I heartily recommend it to all 23andMe users. Since I don't know how long it will be before the price goes up, I encourage you to do it NOW! Click the link below, choose Products from the top of the page, and scroll down to the THIRD PARTY section. Select Transfer Relative Finder to learn more and initiate the process.

Jan 27, Adoption DNA Message Hijacked by NPR

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:01:07 GMT

On 1/26/12 NPR's Diane Rehm Show did a live segment on Adoptees Using DNA to Find Family. Bennett Greenspan, founder and CEO of Family Tree DNA was interviewed on the air. Since I had used DNA testing to find and confirm my birth family--and I maintained a web site on the topic--Bennett had suggested me to Diane Rehm as an additional panel member. On Wednesday Bennett called my home to see if Diane had contacted me. She had not and never did. Instead of creating an informative show to explain how adoptees are using this new tool and presenting a positive case history, they brought in Kimberly Leighton. This woman knows nothing about DNA testing but had an obvious negative viewpoint. She attacked the very idea of adoptees searching for birth parents as unnecessary and a violation of birth parents' right to privacy. Bennett did mention me as an example and suggested adoptees visit my web site. Wanting to counter the negativity being expressed by the other panelist, I tried to call in to the show but could not get past the busy signal. Diane Rehm and/or her producers clearly had an agenda. This is not uncommon with NPR programming. A year ago I had the opportunity to listen as an NPR reporter interviewed a relative of mine in a public place. All the questions were obviously slanted to elicit a response on one side of the issue being discussed. My relative ignored the bait and expressed the opposite viewpoint. The reporter quickly moved on and my relative's comments were never aired. My hope is that many more adoptees still learned about DNA testing and they won't be dissuaded from their search by one woman's opinion. Click the link below if you wish to hear the broadcast.

Jan 23, New 23andMe Ancestry Ambassadors Group

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:52:00 GMT

23andMe has announced the formation of an Ancestry Ambassadors Group. These "ancestry enthusiasts," chosen from the 23andMe user community, will help guide and influence product development. Primarily a health testing company, 23andMe has been criticized periodically for lapses on the genetic genealogy side of its product offering. DNA blogger CeCe Moore will lead the group. Other members are Andrea Badger, Ann Turner MD, Larry Vick, Shannon Christmas, and Tim Janzen MD. Hopefully, this new group will result in improved ancestry services from the company.

Jan 9, 23andMe Responds to Complaints

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:51:59 GMT

The recent uproar over the handling of lapsed subscribers at 23andMe has prompted a lengthy response from the company. 23andMe co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki has announced that those who stop their monthly subscription after the 12-month commitment WILL retain access to their Relative Finder matches and health reports. They just won't get any new information. Furthermore, customers who purchased a subscription before 12/21/11 will have an opportunity to upgrade to a Lifetime subscription for $99 during the 30 days after meeting their commitment. More good news: Lapsed subscribers will NOT be removed from the Relative Finder database unless they specifically opt out. So others may still find them. Click the following link to read the full text of the company's response.

Jan 5, New User Interface at Family Tree DNA

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:55:09 GMT

In November I was one of the DNA project administrators that tested and provided feedback on a new user interface at Family Tree DNA. That interface has just been released to all users. In addition to better organization the interface includes new features like Advanced Matching and updated educational resources. I suggest you begin by selecting the Interactive Tour. Then start clicking to explore your account. Click the following link and then Log In with your Kit Number and Password.

Jan 4, Family Tree DNA Extends Sale to Jan. 7

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:02:05 GMT

The Holiday Promotion at FTDNA has been extended through Saturday, January 7, 2012. Both new kits and upgrades are discounted.

Dec 30, Reminder: FTDNA Sale Ends Saturday

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:43:58 GMT

Sale prices on genetic genealogy DNA tests at Family Tree DNA expire 12/31/11.

Dec 22, 23andMe Sucker Punches Lapsed Subscribers

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:29:02 GMT

About a year ago, 23andMe repositioned its DNA test as a Personal Genome Service with a monthly subscription fee. New users were required to pay the fee for a minimum of 12 months. Those who cancelled after that would no longer receive new Relative Finder matches or new health findings. But they could continue to access existing matches and health reports. That seemed fair enough. But blogger CeCe Moore reports that 23andMe has now revised their terms of service. Customers who allow their subscription to lapse will NOT have access to their Relative Finder matches, health reports and all other features that "rely on your genetic data." Customers who ordered their test before the subscription service was instituted are not affected, as far as we know now. This retroactive change in terms is the opposite of customer-friendly. Subscription customers may wish to lodge protests with the Better Business Bureau and the California Attorney General, the state where 23andMe operates. Click the link below for more details from CeCe Moore.

Dec 15, Save $23 on DNA Test at 23andMe.com

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:39:43 GMT

I just learned about a brief sale at 23andMe.com. Use the link below and pay $76 instead of $99. Offer expires 12/27/11. They market this as their Personal Genome Service. Once you get your results, you pay an additional $9/month for Relative Finder matches and new or updated health results. The minimum is 12 months, so your total minimum investment will be $76 + $108 = $184. There is no coupon code to enter. But you must click the following link to get the reduced price.

Dec 15, Finding Family with 23andMe

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:05:35 GMT

DNA testing company 23andMe is now featuring some DNA success stories on its web site. Use the link below to read about the reunion of an adopted man with his biological sister.

Dec 7, How Autosomal DNA Testing Can Enlarge and Prove Your Family Tree

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:30:11 GMT

Discover unknown relatives and confirm relationships with autosomal DNA testing. Includes link to a comparison of Family Finder and Relative Finder.

Nov 29, Get It Now: DNA and Social Networking

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:22:50 GMT

Debbie Kennett, a genetic genealogist in the U.K., has published DNA and Social Networking: A Guide to Genealogy in the Twenty-First Century. While the hard cover edition will not be available in the U.S. until April, you can get the Kindle edition NOW from Amazon.com for just $9.99. I don't have a Kindle, but Amazon offers free Kindle Reading Apps for PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android, and Windows Phone 7. Positive reviews by enthusiasts I respect--CeCe Moore, Emily Aulicino, and Tim Janzen--convinced me to buy and download Debbie's book. To order your own copy, use the link below to reach the About Me page of my web site. Scroll down to my Recommended Reading list and click the icon for this book.

Nov 23, Archives.com Partners with Family Tree DNA

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:27:30 GMT

Archives.com, a similar but less expensive alternative to Ancestry.com, has announced a partnership with Family Tree DNA. This family history website now sells FTDNA's most popular Y-DNA and mtDNA tests plus Family Finder. Prices are the same as at FTDNA, but this should expose more genealogists to the concept of DNA testing. Getting more people into the already large databases at FTDNA should result in more and better matches for both genealogists and adoptees. So I consider this a good thing. Richard Hill DNA Testing Adviser

Nov 16, 30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:09:03 GMT

In honor of November being National Adoption Month, Portrait of an Adoption is running a special series called 30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days. Designed to give a voice to the many different perspectives of adoption, this series will feature guest posts by adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, waiting adoptive parents, and foster parents-turned-adoptive parents.

Nov 15, Year-End Sale at Family Tree DNA

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:31:07 GMT

Family Tree DNA, the leader in genetic genealogy, announced a year-end sale--effective today--on new tests and upgrades. For example, the Family Finder test has been reduced from $289 to $199. The 37-marker Y-DNA test, regularly $149 is now on sale for $119. Upgrades are also on sale, e.g. you can go from an existing 37-marker Y-DNA test to 67 markers for only $79 vs. the usual $99. ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED AND PAID FOR BY MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 31st 2011 TO RECEIVE THE SALE PRICES.

Nov 9, FTDNA Group Administrators' Conference

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:34:33 GMT

Last weekend I gave a presentation at the Family Tree DNA Group Administrators' Conference. These citizen scientists are at the leading edge of genetic genealogy. So Family Tree DNA uses this forum to announce and explain new developments in DNA testing. Several attendees have blogged about the conference. Debbie Kennett has thoughtfully created a one-stop web page with links to these reports. You can get to that page at the following link.

Oct 31, Richard Hill to Speak at FTDNA Conference

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:56:12 GMT

Richard Hill, the adoptee founder of DNA Testing Adviser, will speak at Family Tree DNA's 7th International Conference for Group Administrators. The annual conference will be held in Houston, Texas on November 5-6, 2011. The title of Richard's presentation is An Adoptee Journey to His Ancestral Surname. To learn more about Richard's background, read his bio at the following link:

Sep 26, 36-Hour Sale at Family Tree DNA

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:39:22 GMT

START: Monday, September 26 (TODAY) at 12:00pm CDT END: Tuesday, September 27 at 11:59pm CDT For NEW customers: Y-DNA 12 . . . $59 (was $99) mtDNA . . . $59 (was $99) Y-DNA 37 . . . $129 (was $149) Family Finder . . . $199 (was $289) mtFullSequence (FGS) . . . $229 (was $299) Y-DNA 12 + mtDNA . . . $118 (was $179) Family Finder + Y-DNA 12 . . . $248 (was $339) Family Finder + mtDNA . . . $248 (was $339) Family Finder + Y-DNA 37 . . . $328 (was $438) Family Finder + mtFullSequence . . . $398 (was $559) Comprehensive Genome (Family Finder + mtFullSequence + Y-DNA67) . . . $597 (was $797) Upgrades & Add-Ons: mtDNA add-on $59 . . . (was $89) mtFullSequence upgrade (HVR1 to Mega) . . . $199 (was $269) mtFullSequence upgrade (HVR2 to Mega) . . . $199 (was $239) mtFullSequence add-on . . . $219 (was $289) Family Finder add-on . . . $199 (was $289) Prices will be automatically adjusted on the Family Tree DNA website -- no coupon code needed! Important: Promotional orders need to be paid for by the end of this sale.

Sep 20, Richard Hill, DNA Author/Coach/Speaker

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:21:14 GMT

Adoptee Richard Hill identified his birth family through DNA testing and created the web site DNA-Testing-Adviser.com

Sep 20, New ISOGG Adoptees Group

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:50:53 GMT

The International Society of Genetic Genealogy has launched a new Yahoo group for adoptees. The group is designed for adoptees and others of uncertain parentage--or anyone with a mystery in their lineage that might involve either a formal or undocumented adoption. Such mysteries can often be solved through DNA testing. Members are encouraged to post questions and share their successes. The co-moderators are Katherine Borges, Director of ISOGG and adoptee Richard Hill, author of the DNA Testing Adviser web site.

Aug 25, Dick Eastman Praises New DNA Testing Guide

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:19:23 GMT

Last night Dick Eastman reviewed my new Guide to DNA testing in Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter (EOGN). His closing words: "I'd call this a great resource for anyone who wishes to learn more about DNA. Congratulations to Richard Hill for creating it." That review alone has created a lot of requests for the Guide. If you're a genealogist and don't already know about EOGN, I suggest you subscribe to his newsletter while you're on his site. Click the link below to see his review.

Aug 19, Richard Hill's Guide to DNA Testing

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:41:43 GMT

Richard Hill, author of the web site DNA-Testing-Adviser.com, has just completed a 12-page overview of DNA testing that you can now download for free. The Guide is designed for genealogists, adoptees, and anyone else interested in their biological family tree. In plain English he describes and compares the major DNA test types. Then he explains their purposes, strengths and limitations in a unique table that you will not find anywhere else. Richard's web site has dozens of pages on DNA testing. Yet this new DNA Testing Guide provides the high level overview you need to put the various DNA tests in perspective. The title of this Guide is as follows: How to Identify Ancestors
and Confirm Relationships
through DNA Testing The link below will take you to the download page.

Aug 9, The Future of 23andMe's Relative Finder

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:19:09 GMT

In a few months thousands of people who took the 23andMe test on the subscription plan will complete their 12-month requirement. Many more will reach that point every month thereafter. No one knows how many will drop their subscription, but it's reasonable to assume that the number will be significant. When a subscription lapses, that person will stop getting new Relative Finder matches. That's fair enough. Those of us who already match those people will continue to see them as matches. The negative impact will be on new people who get tested at 23andMe AFTER the subscription lapses begin. The Relative Finder block is currently set to work BOTH WAYS. Those new subscribers WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED of matches to people with lapsed subscriptions. In my opinion this will cause unacceptable damage to the genealogy and adoption search communities. 23andMe will be HIDING DATA that would be useful to genealogists and potentially life-changing for adoptees. It should be technically possible to implement a one-way block. Lapsed subscribers would not see new matches to others, but all others would still see matches with the lapsed subscriber. Is anyone listening at 23andMe? If you take my suggestion, I will be happy to announce it.

Aug 4, Adoptee Rights Demonstration in Texas

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:53:35 GMT

The Adoptee Rights Coalition has announced the final itinerary for the annual demonstration. It will be in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, August 7 and Monday, August 8. The demonstration is timed to coincide with the National Conference of State Legislatures. The goal is to change archaic laws that prohibit adult adoptees from accessing their own birth certificates.

Aug 2, $50 Coupon for DNA Test at 23andMe

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:52:25 GMT

Genetic health testing company 23andMe has just provided existing customers with a coupon code to share with new customers. The offer expires 8/9/11. This test includes the company's Relative Finder, which can help genealogists and adoptees find previously unknown cousins. If two or more people wish to confirm a suspected close relationship, e.g. siblings, or half siblings, this would be a good time for each of them to order a test. Follow the link below, add an order to your cart and click "I have a discount code." Then enter the code BQ8ABT to reduce the price by $50. The required $9/month subscription (12-month minimum) still applies.

Jul 29, Richard Hill Tells His DNA Story on WJRW

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:13:14 GMT

Yesterday, I was interviewed by Michelle McKormick, a local radio host on WJRW in Grand Rapids. She asked me about my adoption search story and my use of DNA testing to identify and confirm my birth father. She did a wonderful job asking questions and recapping my story for the audience as we went along. I hope the added exposure gives more adoptees the courage to get started with DNA testing. Click the link below to replay the interview.

Jul 21, New Donor Conceived Group at FTDNA

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:20:12 GMT

Genealogists and adoptees are not the only people using DNA tests to discover unknown genetic roots. Children of sperm and egg donors are testing their DNA in hopes of finding links to biological parents and siblings. Lindsay Greenawalt, who writes a great blog, Confessions of a Cryokid, has started a DNA project at Family Tree DNA. Both offspring and donors are welcome. The goup uses Y-DNA and Family Finder data to discover matches.

Jul 15, Summer Sale at Family Tree DNA

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:16:12 GMT

Family Tree DNA just distributed the following list of sale prices to project administrators: HTML Online Editor Sample

Y-DNA37 for $119 (Regular price would be $149)

Y-DNA67 for $199 (Regular price would be $239)

Family Finder for $199 (Regular price would be $289)

Family Finder + Y-DNA37 for $318 (Regular price would be $438)

Family Finder + mtDNAPlus for $318 (Regular Price would be $438)

mtDNA Full Sequence for $219 (Regular Price would be $299)

SuperDNA for $418 (Regular Price would be $518, includes Y-DNA67 and mtFullSequence)

Comprehensive Genome for $617 (Regular Price would be $797, includes Y-DNA67, mtFullSequence and Family Finder)

In addition, existing Family Tree DNA customers may order the Family Finder add-on for $199

The promotion will start today, Friday the 15th at 6PM CST and will end Thursday, July 21, 11:59PM CST. Kits need to be paid for by the end of the promotion.