Many adoptees are searching for answers about their heritage and their biological families. Have a look at these useful guidelines that you can follow in the quest to find your biological family.
Taking An Ancestry DNA Test
One of the most fruitful methods of finding your biological family members is by taking an Ancestry DNA test. Irrespective of the person you’re trying to locate has taken the test; it’s possible that a close relative of them has. DNA testing has gained popularity over the years, and there are presently fifteen million individuals in the ancestry DNA database. Once you’ve received the DNA results, start attaching them to your family tree.
Evaluating The Closest DNA Matches
When evaluating DNA matches, you can see a list of a biological relative that has undertaken an ancestry DNA test. The matches are grouped according to how much DNA is shared, the higher the match on your list, the closer the familial relationship is.
Contacting The Matches
From the list of DNA matches, you can click on the names and send them a message, introducing yourself and explaining your desire to connecting with your biological family. Not everyone keeps tabs on their ancestry messages frequently; therefore, you must check back now and again for a reply.
Viewing Shared Matches
From the listing of DNA matches, you can click on a name and see the shared matches that you may have in common with these individuals. If you happen to find an ancestor that is appearing in two or more shared matches, then you may just have found someone that you can research. Check out the list of the best DNA tests for adoptees, for more information on the subject.
Checking For Shared Ancestors
Once you’ve learned the name of a probable ancestor, you can lodge an investigation to see how closely related they are to you.
Starting Parentage Research
Once you’ve located an ancestor, you can look for their descendants through the generations. When you start identifying all the grandchildren, children, and so forth up to the present, you can start working your way forward in reaching people that may be your parents. Even ambiguous, non-identifying details from the adoption files or your adoptive parents can be useful. Obituaries, ancestry trees and directories online are helpful resources to locate the unknown lineage of your family.
Contacting Living Members Of The Family
In tracking your family, you may come across potential aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, cousins, and parents. Despite, you not being sure about whether you are related, getting in contact with these individuals can assist in completing the puzzle. Once they have listened to your tale and processed the details, you may pique their interest in taking the DNA test, which can confirm your uncertainties.
Hiring A Professional
If you keep hitting a brick wall, despite all the effort you’ve been putting in, it may be time to recruit the assistance of professional researchers. Ancestry professionals have the skills and track record in assisting adoptees who are looking to find their biological families.