According to the Adoption Network, around 135,000 children in the US are adopted every year. This essentially means that a significant percentage of the American population is either adopted or has some experience with adoption through a close friend or family member being adopted.
As genealogy and family research is becoming more common, one of their prime applications in adoption research. By exploring genetic genealogy and traditional research tools, adoptees can identify their biological roots and learn more about their ancestry.
Here’s how to go about adoption research.
Start With What You Do Know
When trying to identify an adoptee’s origins, it’s important to start with what we do know. This does not only include basic facts like when and where they were adopted but also sources that are within reach.
For instance, you need to interview people indirectly involved in the adoption process, i.e. the adoptive parents. They may be able to share some crucial information, and they’re a source you can rely on.
Also, depending on where you’re located, it might be possible to request essential records such as birth certificates and other helpful documents that can provide leads.
Take Everything with A Grain of Salt
All the information that you collect needs to be examined objectively. Not everything you find will be 100 percent accurate; information may be falsified or entered incorrectly by accident.
In adoption cases, many changes in documentation may be done to conceal information on purpose. Therefore, it’s important to cross-check all the information you find and always be open to the possibility of factually incorrect information that may make you retrace your steps.
Explore Different Options and Possibilities
While DNA and genetic genealogy is one of the most common approaches used by many adoptees, keep in mind that there are many other effective methods as well. For instance, you can consider a traditional research option like tracing and contacting the adoption agency, or check mutual consent registries, or talking to family, friends, and other relatives who may have some helpful information.
And, of course, you need to be prepared for all kinds of scenarios, including ones in which you find no results.
If you feel like you’ve reached a dead-end but aren’t ready to give up, consider getting help from experts like the ones we have at DavisDNA And Family Research.
You can hire genetic genealogist at our company to help you with expert DNA research assistance to locate your birth parents.
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