You could have always been curious about specific gaps in your adoptive Ancestry. Adoptees can use their original birth certificates and documents to enhance a search using DNA test kits. Some States have altered their legislation to make it simpler to get this information in light of the rise in open adoptions and the ongoing advocacy efforts of adoptees to access the original birth certificate. Adoptees can see their original birth certificates in 19 more States. These legal modifications have made it simpler for adoptees and birth parents to look for—and connect with—one another. Even if the search may be more straightforward, there are still crucial factors to consider before the reunion.
How Adoptee DNA Testing Operates:
Chromosome markers in your DNA may be found and quantified to identify potential hereditary connections between DNA samples. Therefore, genetic testing or paternity testing services will analyze your DNA sample and compare it to other models to look for possible genetic links.
The test’s findings may be used to estimate how closely related you are to someone by showing how closely your DNA is connected to others. Looking at your genetic linkage, they may determine if you are closely connected (siblings, grandkids, cousins, parents, etc.) or distantly related (second cousins, great-aunts/uncles, shared ancestors, etc.).
What Happens After You Get Your DNA Test Results? is as Follows:
You can upload the raw data from your genetic testing for adoptees into GedMatch to compare your findings with those of other samples and identify matches after receiving your results. You may ask the volunteers of DNA Detectives or Search Squad for assistance for free if you need help deciphering what your DNA test results signify (the majority of us struggle with this). They specialize in assisting adoptees in their search for biological relatives using data obtained through genetic testing.
The three best services for adoptees’ genetic testing are as follows:
- FamilyTreeDNA.
You may tailor your DNA adoption test to varying levels of thoroughness and pursue maternal or paternal lines of lineage for $79–$566, depending on your needs.
Through FamilyTreeDNA, you may interact with other adoptees looking for their birth relatives or adoption ancestry and genetic specialists and have access to group initiatives.
Every time it becomes available, FamilyTreeDNA will provide you with the email addresses of all your genetic matches. Therefore, if your results show any linkages to DNA samples belonging to birth family members, this service may put you in touch with them directly.
- Ancestry.com
Adopted children may purchase a DNA testing kit online for $99 and have their findings deposited into the Ancestry.com database through a relatively new option offered by the company. As you create your adoptive genealogy, this service may be able to assist you in connecting to your biological family tree.
You might be able to learn more about your birth family and see a concrete representation of your genetic family tree through Ancestry.com. Adoptees can also get a breakdown of their ancestral ethnicity using AncestryDNA.
- 23andMe
23andMe provides two separate genetic testing packages for people who have been adopted: Ancestry for $99 and Health + Ancestry for $199.
The capacity of 23andMe’s Health + Ancestry service to give adoptees with closed adoptions potentially life-saving knowledge about their health history based on identifying genetic markers within their DNA is its most significant advantage.
The other two programs for adoptee DNA testing don’t provide as thorough an analysis of how your genetics affect your health and the health of your descendants. Still, they could be better able to connect you with members of your birth family directly.
The Effectiveness of DNA in Adoption Reunions and Birth Family Searches
Genetic testing for adopted people is one of the most incredible places to start for adoptees wishing to learn more about their Ancestry. If adoption search is what you want to do, you may utilize the knowledge you acquire to your advantage.
Many adoptees, including you, have used DNA testing for adopted persons to get in touch with their birth relatives or learn more about their natural histories. It might be good to connect with other adoptees to get advice, support, and community as you begin your adoption genealogy journey.
DNA Testing’s Increase and How It Affects Adoption Search and Reunion
DNA testing kits are now readily available and commercialized thanks to advances in scientific technology, and their popularity on social media has surged. This opened up new possibilities for the adoption community to locate birth relatives on their own, whether or not they had used a search engine to register. Folks must know what to anticipate. It can mentally prepare them for the emotional road ahead in these circumstances when they may not work with or get help from adoption specialists.
