If you\u2019re reading this article, you\u2019re in good company: 65 percent of adopted U.S. adults want to know how to find their birth parents. And perhaps you\u2019re also among the 75 percent who are curious why they were put up for adoption in the first place. We\u2019re living in the digital age; it seems possible to solve any puzzle online. Shouldn\u2019t you be able to find your parents?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where do you start, though, when you have minimal information and limited funds? It\u2019s not quite as simple as a Google search. But with modern technology, it doesn\u2019t have to be that difficult either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take for example Lynne Moody, who was just 18 years old, pursuing her Hollywood dreams, when she became unexpectedly pregnant. Knowing that she was ill-equipped to care for a baby, she gave her child up for adoption. Her career blossomed over the decades, and she appeared in several hit television series, including \u201cRoots,\u201d \u201cHill Street Blues,\u201d \u201cKnots Landing\u201d and \u201cGeneral Hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more than 50 years, Lynne wondered about the child she never knew. \u201cIs she alive, happy, hungry, safe…healthy?\u201d Moody was thrilled, yet understandably nervous when her daughter, Lisa, found her through a genealogy website. In Moody\u2019s words, the reunion was \u201can answer to my prayers after many decades of hope, guilt and pain.\u201d The two have spent the past year and a half getting to know one another and slowly making up for lost time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moody\u2019s story has a made-for-Hollywood ending. In your search, however, you must be prepared for both good and not-so-good outcomes. In fact, your biological parents may not want to be found. If this happens, you\u2019ll need to respect their wishes and move on with your life. The more information you can gather before making the decision to initiate contact, the more control you\u2019ll have over the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although open adoptions are commonplace today, many older adoptees and Americans adopted from foreign countries must overcome the obstacle of sealed adoption records. This is also the case if you were conceived through sperm or egg donation. When you don\u2019t have a clear starting place, genomic testing is a good option. Two of the largest databases are AncestryDNA and 23andMe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AncestryDNA<\/a> and similar sites let you conduct a search using a saliva sample. You simply open an account and purchase a DNA kit online. You\u2019ll receive a prepaid envelope and a test tube. You fill the tube with your saliva and return your sample to the company through US mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ancestry relies on a large online database<\/a> that may include relatives who have done similar testing in the past. If this occurs, you\u2019ll not only discover your ethnic background, you\u2019ll discover your relatives as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another DNA testing company, 23andMe<\/a>, offers similar services to AncestryDNA. 23andMe has more than 5 million records<\/a> in its database. This pales in comparison to AncestryDNA\u2019s 7 million. However, if you are also interested in finding your birth parents because of health concerns, 23andMe is the only genomic testing company to offer DNA-based health reports<\/a> without involving your doctor. Your report can tell you, for example, whether you carry the genetic variant for celiac disease or the genetic predisposition for dimples. It is, however, limited by the FDA on the depth of medical analysis it provides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By design, 23andMe is not intended to help find birth parents. However, you can opt in to the DNA Relatives feature that matches you with other users. Although the matches are usually distant, even the name of a fifth cousin<\/a> can, with a little additional research, lead to your biological parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where can you go for additional research? Or what if you already have a name or two but not much else to go on? You\u2019ll need to dig a little deeper. This is where a people search tool<\/a> like Spokeo is most helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spokeo has been helping people find each other<\/a> since 2006. Using a first and last name or other information, Spokeo lets you confidentially search more than 14 billion publicly available records and over 100 social media networks. From the basic search, you can discover locations, age and relatives. Once you\u2019ve gathered additional names, you can continue searching using Spokeo\u2019s basic search functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spokeo also offers advanced services via monthly subscription, which includes up to 100 searches. These reports may include phone numbers, email address, marital status, level of education and more. A subscription allows you to drill down even further on a report for more information without having to make an additional purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you start your search using one of the genealogy websites, Spokeo can provide additional information. For example, you can see who your parent lives with, determine where they work or review a criminal background check. This information may ultimately help you decide whether or not you want to connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given the amount of data available online<\/a>, even if the adoption records are closed, it\u2019s easier than ever to find your biological parents. Take stock of the information you already have and get started today. As Lynne and Lisa\u2019s story proves, it\u2019s never too late to find your birth parents. A happy reunion could be in your near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re reading this article, you\u2019re in good company: 65 percent of adopted U.S. adults want to know how to find their birth parents. And perhaps you\u2019re also among the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":120,"featured_media":23540,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[644],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-advice-how-to"],"yoast_head":"\n23andMe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You Have a Name. Now What?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n