Were you an adopted child? If you’re now looking to find your birth parents’ names, and you’re not getting the answers you need from an adoption registry, an AncestryDNA^® test kit could be a good next step.

And if discovering the names of your birth family is not your goal at this time, but you would like to know where your biological ancestors came from, then the AncestryDNA test can provide those answers, too.

AncestryDNA^® Test Results Provide More Insights to Adoptees

There are several different types of DNA tests, but only autosomal DNA tests—which is what’s offered by AncestryDNA—provide information that reflects both the maternal and paternal biological branches of your family tree. Other types of tests focus on just one half of your genetic heritage.

• Y-DNA tests can only be used by people with the Y sex chromosome and test results are limited to the patrilineal (father’s male) side.
• Mitochondrial DNA tests can be taken by both biological males and females, but the results are limited to the matrilineal (mother's female) side.

Autosomal DNA test results can open the door to your genetic family history. You might discover that your genetic profile includes ancestors who came from Sardinia, Switzerland, Southern Ecuador, or Somalia. You might also discover that you also have DNA connections to communities like Coastal Maine Settlers, Alabama Highlands Settlers, or Eastern Oklahoma African Americans.

The Power of AncestryDNA^® Matching

The DNA matching component, which you can opt into as part of your AncestryDNA test results, can be particularly useful when you’re searching for common ancestors. DNA matching identifies other people who have taken an AncestryDNA test who may have a genetic connection to you and who have also opted in to DNA matching.

DNA matches can include the following categories:

• Parent/Child
• Immediate Family
• Close Family
• 1st - 2nd cousins
• Even more distant cousins

If we assume two children in each generation, then the expected number of first cousins is about eight and number of second cousins is around 38. The expected number of third cousins is about 188. That’s a whole lot of potential cousins—biological relatives you might never learn about except by using DNA test results.

Exploring your closest matches—people who have a large percentage of DNA in common—can help you narrow your focus to those who might be part of your birth family. For example, someone listed as having 10 percent of DNA in common with you could be a first cousin or a half aunt. A higher percentage, like 26 percent, could indicate that the person is a biological niece or uncle. And someone who has at least 50 percent of shared DNA could be a very close relative—a sibling or parent.

The Benefits of Using AncestryDNA^® Tests and Ancestry^® Together

An especially helpful aspect of AncestryDNA matching for adoptees is called “shared matches.” This feature allows you to focus on people in the AncestryDNA database who share a DNA match with you and another person in the database. When viewing a specific AncestryDNA match in your test results, and you select the Shared DNA tab, you’ll see a list of DNA matches you have in common with that particular person.

The strength of the AncestryDNA database, when combined with Ancestry family trees, is when you discover that one of your shared matches lists a public family tree on Ancestry. These family trees can contain detailed information—and may link to records on Ancestry—information that might help with your search for birth family members. Even just one of the more than 100 million public family trees in the Ancestry database might be enough to introduce you to biological ancestors.

Using SideView^™ Technology to Focus on Maternal or Paternal Lines

Autosomal DNA testing results don’t automatically show which parts of your DNA you inherited from your biological mother and which parts are from your biological father. But adoptees can rely on the AncestryDNA technology called SideView^™, which helps Ancestry scientists “organize” the DNA you share with one side or another. For example, you can now see your DNA matches organized by which parent they are likely related to, and also which of your ethnicity regions and communities you inherited from each parent.* (You can view your ethnicity inheritance results via the DNA Origins tab in the DNA drop-down menu.)

Contacting DNA Matches

Discovering genetic family ties can lead to deeply meaningful and rewarding connections. For example, you may learn about grandparents or other close relatives on your biological mother’s side or your biological father’s side.

Just keep in mind that engaging with DNA matches is optional. And remember when connecting with newly found biological relatives, patience and sensitivity to the feelings of others are key.

Are you ready to start exploring your genetic family history? AncestryDNA^® can help you begin your journey of discovery. AncestryDNA currently has the world's largest consumer DNA database—more than 25 million people from around the world—so there are potentially many people in our database who might share common biological ancestors with you.

*Some DNA features may require an Ancestry subscription.