If a parent or grandparent was adopted and never knew their biological identity, that gap becomes part of your story as well. Search Angels can help descendants navigate these searches - carefully, transparently, and with respect for everyone involved.

For Deceased Adoptees

If your parent was adopted and has passed away without ever knowing their biological family, we can work with your AncestryDNA results to help identify their birth parents or close biological relatives. As their adult child, you share approximately 50% of their DNA - enough for our expert volunteers to trace their biological connections through DNA match analysis and genealogical research.

If the deceased parent or one of their surviving siblings has taken an AncestryDNA test, those results are significantly more effective than a grandchild's DNA and will give us a much better chance of success. If you have access to those results, please mention it when you submit your search form.

For Living Adoptees

To protect the privacy and emotional well-being of the person most directly affected by their own adoption, Search Angels requires explicit written consent from a living adoptee before a search can begin on their behalf.

If your parent is alive and wants to learn about their biological family, we encourage them to submit their own search request directly. If they are willing but unable to do so, please get in touch with us, and we will discuss how to proceed.

We do not conduct searches on behalf of descendants when the living adoptee has not consented - regardless of the circumstances.

A Note on Grandparent Searches

If your grandparent was adopted and you are hoping to identify their birth parents using your own DNA, please be aware that this is one of the most challenging searches we work on. As a grandchild, you share only about 25% of your grandparents’ DNA - and even less with the great-grandparents we would need to identify. This significantly limits what the DNA can tell us.

Wherever possible, we ask that a child of the adoptee - not a grandchild - take the AncestryDNA test, as their closer genetic relationship gives our volunteers a much higher chance of success. We will always be honest with you about what is and is not realistically possible before your case begins.

We do not contact biological relatives on your behalf. What you choose to do with what we find is entirely your decision.

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