What we offer
Who We Help
Answer
We can help most people identify their unknown parents,
grandparents, or great- grandparents. This includes:
- Adoptees
- Persons seeking unknown parents
- Children or grandchildren of a person with unknown parents
- Donor conceived individuals
- Minors under 18 years of age (or their parents/legal guardians)
- Birth parents seeking their surrendered children
- Persons seeking adopted biological siblings
- Persons seeking the identity of a person who committed a crime
What to Expect from a Genetic Research Package
Answer
Identifying unknown biological parents, grandparents, or great-
grandparents is a life-changing journey. You will work with a
team of genetic genealogists who will guide you through that
journey step by step. In most cases, it takes at least 26 hours
of research over 3-4 months to identify the biological family.
Please know that each case is different and some cases may
require many more hours over many more months to solve. Despite
our expert efforts, it is sometimes not possible to solve a
search with existing genetic data.
Your team will provide updates and recommendations at key steps in the journey. In some cases, if your current DNA results are sufficient to identify the unknown parent or ancestor. For others, specific recommendations for additional DNA testing will be made by your team as needed. To confirm the identity of the unknown parent or ancestor, it is sometimes necessary to contact biological family for additional DNA testing. We will make recommendations regarding such contact on a case by case basis.
Your team will provide updates and recommendations at key steps in the journey. In some cases, if your current DNA results are sufficient to identify the unknown parent or ancestor. For others, specific recommendations for additional DNA testing will be made by your team as needed. To confirm the identity of the unknown parent or ancestor, it is sometimes necessary to contact biological family for additional DNA testing. We will make recommendations regarding such contact on a case by case basis.
What to Expect from a Consultation
Answer
We can help most people identify their unknown parents,
grandparents, or great- grandparents. This includes:
- Adoptees
- Persons seeking unknown parents
- Children or grandchildren of a person with unknown parents
- Donor conceived individuals
- Minors under 18 years of age (or their parents/legal guardians)
- Birth parents seeking their surrendered children
- Persons seeking adopted biological siblings
- Persons seeking the identity of a person who committed a crime
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't know anything about my unknown parent and don't have any documentation. Can you still help me?
Answer
Documentation about the possible birth parent is helpful but not necessary. Using DNA, we are able to help most people identify unknown biological parents even without documentation.
I would like to find my 2nd great-grandfather who was born in the mid-1800s. Can you help me?
Answer
Yes, AncestryProGenealogists® can help to identify more distant ancestors as well. However, research of more distant ancestors relies more heavily on written documentation. DNA results are used in conjunction with the available records. These sessions can be quite complex and usually take more time to solve.
I am a teenager. Can you help me find my biological parent(s)?
Answer
Unfortunately, we are not able to assist minors in identifying their biological parents. Once you have turned 18, we are happy to help.
Do I need to take a DNA test before starting my research with AncestryProGenealogists®?
Answer
It will be necessary for you to take an AncestryDNA® test before we begin your research. However, you are welcome to sign up for the research with us before receiving your results. If you have not yet ordered an AncestryDNA® test we can help you obtain the DNA test and expedite the processing of that test as a part of your research package.
What DNA testing should I do?
Answer
We recommend first testing with AncestryDNA®. It may not be necessary to conduct additional testing. If you also wish to test with other companies, you are welcome to do so. These companies are not affiliated with Ancestry® and have separate and unique user agreements. We encourage you to read the user agreements with each company carefully before testing.
I want to learn about my biological family but don’t want to disrupt their lives. Is it possible to identify my biological parent without contacting them?
Answer
You will make the decision of whether to contact your biological family. We can often gather basic information about your family from public records without making contact. However, confirming the identity of your biological parent may require additional DNA testing of possible biological family members. If you do not desire to contact the family, we may not be able to prove your parent’s identity.
I would like to identify the unknown parent of my minor child. As their legal guardian, can I have the research conducted in their behalf?
Answer
Due to legal ramifications, we will only identify biological parents for persons who have already reached the legal age of adulthood. We cannot conduct a search for the parents of a minor, even if that search is authorized by their legal guardian.