Adoptive Research Using Genealogy + DNA: Searching without Any Information

Adoption or Unknown Parentage Research Tips Using Genealogy + DNA: Searching without Any Information

Adoption or Unknown Parentage Research Using Genealogy+DNA: Searching without Any Information ​

Traditional Genealogy + DNA + Descendancy Research + Living People Search + a Whole Lot More

After 7 days of extensive research and DNA mapping on a new case, I was able to narrow my non-legally adopted client's biological father down to 2 brothers, and on day 8, I had found one child (out of many) of the 2 brothers willing to take a DNA test to confirm which of the 2 brothers it is. She excitedly agreed to test to see if she has a newly found brother or 1st cousin!

There is a lead on his biological mother (narrowed down to one line) with a possible birth certificate number, but getting that certificate, when you can't show proof it's yours or how you're related, is a whole other story.

This recent unknown parentage case, out of many, has brought me to share part of the methodology I use. These are just guidelines and some tips for adoptive research that combine DNA and traditional genealogy with my “Uncovered Roots Method” DNA Research; descendancy research; living people search; and a WHOLE lot more, but this is in no way the full process that I use. 😉

These tips can be used in adoptive research or anyone looking for an unknown biological parent or other relative. 😉
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​Sometimes you may find your parent or other relative with this method, and sometimes you may just get down to a particular family or family line. 😉

 
Steps to Adoption or Unknown Parentage Research if No Information:

1. Take a DNA test at Ancestry.com
2. Upload your results to MyHeritage (free-just matches) and FamilyTreeDNA (free-just matches) (23andMe if you’d like)
3. Start with Ancestry DNA matches
4. Start with first close match
5. Color code/group all THEIR matches with you-choose a color and label “Group 1”
6. Do the same for each match IF their matches have the color dot
7. First match without color dot, color code/group all THEIR matches with you-choose another color and label “Group 2”
8. Continue the process for each match until at least ALL CLOSE and EXTENDED matches have a colored dot/group
9. Check “Group 1” matches' public trees
10. Find common surnames
11. Choose the most common surname
12. Color code/group in the same manner, with a new color and label with the common surname
13. Do the same for “Group 2”
14. Check first match public tree that has common surname
15. Take first non-living couple of common surname and build a quick, dirty tree starting with the couple
16. Research a couple of generations back, and find ALL descendants of couple (a method all in its own 😉)
17. Compare new surnames in quick tree to other matches names or surnames in matches public trees
18. Find connections in other matches' public trees from same group
19. Add connections to tree
20. Contact matches for more information- through Ancestry (MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, 23andMe, etc.)
21. No response (usually the case), then contact matches (using screen name) or any other descendants found while building quick tree by searching in social media, such as Facebook, and message more information (a method all in its own 😉)
22. Contact matches by searching in public records and calling, emailing or mailing a letter (a method all in its own 😉)
23. Do same for “Group 2”
24. Continue the process (as possible) for ALL CLOSE and EXTENDED matches
25. Check centimorgans to any now KNOWN matches in the DNA Painter Shared cM Project Tool and compare DNA relationship probability to placement in tree
26. Plug any now KNOWN matches with their KNOWN placements into DNA Painter WATO Tool
27. Compare photos from social media, etc. of target family
28. Compare dates, locations, etc.
29. Continue the process over and over again if needed

 

Other Tips:
Have you tried a "no name search" in the areas where you suspect you were born, with just your birthdate?

 
Interactive Questions:
Are you adopted or did you grow up with just one known parent and are looking for a biological parent? Have you reached a genealogy brick wall for a particular ancestor or relative? Have you tried these tips to find a parent, ancestor, or any other relative? I’d love to hear your comments below in the comment section!


 
More Genealogy Resources:
Learn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page!
 
More Genealogy Research Tips:
Get more family history and genealogy research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category and on my dedicated Genealogy Research Tips page!
 
More DNA + Genealogy Tips:
Get more DNA + genealogy research tips under the DNA Simplified category!
 
More Genealogy Brick Wall Tips:
Get more genealogy Brick Wall research tips under the Genealogy Brick Wall Cases category!
 
Genealogy + DNA Coaching:
Are you adopted or have an unknown parent and need help figuring out your DNA match’s or where to start, but want to research on your own? I offer private, one-on-one family history and genealogy coaching services!
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Genealogy + DNA Research Services:
Are you adopted or have an unknown parent and need to hire a genealogist to find a biological parent or birth family? I offer my “Uncovered Roots Method” DNA Research Service for just that!


This post is a participant in The Genealogy Blog Party: November!

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