My father's grandfather was adopted with very little paperwork or evidence trail as to his biological origins. Earlier this year, my father's uncle got his DNA tested. Unfortunately, the closest Y-DNA relative we've isolated from the tests is 13 generations back. But, I have a related question: All of the matches, through multiple services (having manually entered the data into other services) have a wide variety of non-repeating last names. Given that Y-DNA matches father-to-son, wouldn't there be at least some names repeating? [more inside]
posted by thanotopsis on Aug 30, 2012 - 25 answers

[biogeography filter] Both of my parents are adopted. How can I find out more about my ethnic heritage? Complicating factors inside. [more inside]
posted by easy, lucky, free on Feb 17, 2011 - 11 answers

My grandmother was adopted in Roseau, MN, in April of 1921 at the age of 6 months. On October 13, 1920, she was born, and given into the care of the Lutheran Children's Home Society of Minneapolis. I've found the new name of this organization, and I have the proper forms to fill out to find her original birth certificate. I still worry, however, that this won't go too far. [more inside]
posted by thanotopsis on Dec 29, 2009 - 4 answers

I am an adoptee, and this AskMe post motivated me to ask- to any of you who are A) adopted and searching, or B) adopted and have found Bparents or siblings or C) have anecdotes on how friends have found parents or siblings.... How did You/They eventually find their kin?
I am all over message boards, registries, etc. I'm looking for other options. Any input appreciated.
posted by exlotuseater on Dec 13, 2004 - 19 answers