Step Six: New York Adoptees Looking to Find their Birth Families
DNA testing has changed the face of searching and is a wonderful resource for any adoptee. It is an especially useful tool for those searching who have hit dead ends, but all family members who are searching should look to DNA. The databases are growing so quickly, that 92% of adoptees match with a second cousin or closer immediately upon testing. People are finding family within weeks, sometimes days, rather than years.
The three main DNA Testing Kit Sites are:
- Ancestry.com: http://dna.ancestry.com/ ($99)
- 23 and Me: https://www.23andme.com/($199)
- Family Finder/ Family Tree DNA: https://www.familytreedna.com/($99)
For all adoptees and others with unknown parents and/or grandparents, autosomal DNA testing is recommended. For autosomal DNA testing, start with either one of the big three testing companies initially. If at all possible, test at all three companies and submit your results to all three in order to “fish in all three ponds” for close family matches.
Generally, it is recommended that Adoptees and biological family searching start first with Ancestry DNA tests. Ancestry is one of the oldest companies during commercial DNA testing, has the strongest advertising, has the fastest growing data base an, most importantly, is the only testing company with the family tree features. Ancestry also runs the most discount sales which can help eliminated the cost barrier. There are also organizations that provide free DNA kits to those in need.
If you are unsure of which test to take, this article, What Type of DNA Test Should I Take?, is very helpful in explaining.
“Fishing in All Ponds”
Once you get back your test results it is recommended that you send your results to GEDMatch.
GEDMatch is a free service that allows you to collaborate with others who have been tested at other companies and gain access to more genetic tools to try to figure out how you are related. For instance, there will be no way to tell what company another chooses to test with, but GEDMatch will let you compare your results in one database to other database. So if you are tested in Ancestry and the person you seek is at 23 and Me, you won’t miss each other: https://www.yourdnaguide.com/upload-to-gedmatch/
DNA Search Help
DNA Detectives Group on Facebook: Genealogists focused on finding biological family for adoptees, foundlings, donor-conceived individuals, unknown paternity and all other types of unknown parentage cases. Testing recommendations here: http://adoptiondna.blogspot.com/p/recommended-tests.html. The DNA Detectives also offers paid consulting (info@thednadetectives.com) for in depth and/or private assistance, but this site is for pro-bono advice on unknown parentage cases.
DNA Adoption Community: A group that helps Adoptees using DNA find their birth family. DNA Adoption has a great step by step DNA Testing guide to get you started.
Richard Hill DNA Testing Adviser: Richard Hill provides free, private, personal advice on DNA Testing through a Feedback Form on his website. He will also answer shorter questions publicly that are posted on the wall of this Facebook page. A good basic overview of DNA testing for Adoption and many other links can be found here:
DNA Adoption Search Specific Websites:
Adoption and DNA: Helping adoptees and others affected by adoption rediscover their heritage through DNA testing
The Coalition is not a government agency, does not provide direct search services, and is unable to assist you with accessing information in closed adoption records. We ARE NOT SEARCHERS, however, we can point you in the right direction. Please see the Guide to Finding Your Birth Parents if Born and Adopted in New York State