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    Helping Adoptees Find Their Birth Families With DNA Testing

    Adoptees and other individuals with questions about their parentage are turning to DNA testing kits for answers.

    For many, crucial information can be garnered from DNA testing, including valuable insights on health, conditions, and other essential factors.

    Thanks to advances in technology, it has never been easier to discover your heritage. Kits can be mailed to your home, and testing is as simple as a saliva sample.

    With this stress-free method of testing, more and more adoptees are finding success and connecting with their birth parents and families. 

    If you’re interested in learning more about your birth parents through DNA testing, read on to see how you can start your journey.

    Step-By-Step Guide

    Taking a DNA test is painless and easy. Through a few straightforward steps, you can complete the process of locating your birth parents or other family members with ease.

    Take A DNA Test

    Before embarking on this journey, you’ll want to do some research on the various companies offering this service until you find a company that matches your needs.

    Autosomal DNA tests have the potential to match an individual with several generations of family on both the mother’s side and the father’s side.

    For those looking for biological parents, this is likely the test for you.

    Many kits can be ordered online and will arrive at your mailbox or doorstep. Once the kit is in your hands, follow the steps for collecting your sample.

    Many tests simply need a cheek swab or a sample of spit. You can perform more complicated tests at DNA testing centers with a blood test.

    Finally, mail your sample back to the company and await your results.

    Take Another Test

    Taking a DNA test to find your birth parents is no small emotional task. The results can affect your life forever.

    Because of this, you want to be absolutely sure the results are accurate. It’s worthwhile trying two different DNA testing kits so that you can be fully confident in the results. 

    DNA tests compare your results with others who have also submitted tests through the company. By doing so, they can confidentially match your DNA with the samples already on file.

    If you test with more than one company, then you’re exposed to a larger pool of samples, and therefore the likelihood of finding a match is more comprehensive. 

    Another option is to upload your DNA information onto various websites that collect such data. This can also widen the pool of people who might be a match and give you a better chance of finding your birth parents.

    Study The DNA Matches

    Once you receive the results of your DNA test, you now have the power and the ability to locate relations ranging from mother and father to a distant second cousin. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t find the information you’re looking for immediately.

    Now that you have your DNA results, you can begin to assemble a family tree and put together the pieces of information to reach your ultimate goal of locating your birth parents.

    The results of your test can also give you invaluable insights into other crucial information like your family surname, ethnicity, countries of origin, and more family-specific information.

    For many adoptees who were in the dark about this information, this is a vital step. 

    Gaining access to this information can be emotionally satisfying or even give you important medical history.

    With each piece of new knowledge, you’ll be getting closer and closer to uncovering a more clear picture of your past and your family history.

    Reach Out

    Part of the process involves research and connecting with DNA matches to learn more about your family tree and who you’re related to.

    You may want to emotionally prepare for the results, whether they be positive or negative.

    It’s important to be ready for whatever may lie ahead in your journey. Some key tips to keep in mind include:

    • Remember that this has the potential not only to be an emotional process for you but also for the people you’re contacting. 
    • It ‘s possible that your birth parents chose to keep your adoption a secret from key members of their family.
    • The people you’re reaching out to might not want a connection, or may simply need time to process the information.

    Building connections with family has proved to be a meaningful way for many adoptees to begin important relationships with their blood relatives. 

    Best DNA Testing Kits

    • Estimated 10 million users
    • Relatives feature
    • Health package
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    • In-House Lab
    • Industry Experts
    • Huge Database
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    • Family Trees
    • Immigration Records
    • Hire a Researcher
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    Bottom Line

    When you begin your journey of finding birth parents, it’s nearly impossible to know how it will end.

    Some may find some family members don’t wish to be contacted, while others get to enjoy reunions and acceptance into their biological family for the first time. 

    It’s vital to consider counseling, support groups with other adoptees, and other methods of receiving guidance and support when undergoing this process.

    Taking a DNA test can grant you an understanding of your past, family history, and heritage that you would have otherwise never discovered.