AncestryDNA^®Testing for Adoptees

For people who are adopted, family history can feel like a mystery. Many adoptees have no access to information about one or both of their biological parents, and there are people with unknown paternity whose relatives are unable to give them information about their biological father. Foundlings tend to know nothing about either parent or the circumstances of their birth.

If you have unknown parentage, it might feel like your biological family history is inaccessible to you. You may not know where to begin, particularly if you don’t even know your biological parents’ names. But DNA testing may provide some of the answers you’ve been searching for.

Think Like a Genetic Genealogist

As a genetic genealogist, I specialize in identifying ancestors for people with no access to information about one or both parents. You may be able to do it too. In previous blog posts, we’ve shared some of the most moving stories of adoptees who have connected with their birth family.

The following steps will help you learn more about your ancestors, whether you have unknown paternity, unknown maternity, or both.

Let’s assume you know nothing about either biological parent (your process may be different depending on your situation or location).

As I am a UK-based researcher, this example will refer to UK records, but the principles of the process are the same no matter where your ancestors are from.

Many people are not interested in identifying their biological parents but would like to know more about their other ancestors. If this sounds like you, stop after step 5. If you would like to know more about your biological parents, keep reading to the end: