The DNA Guide for Adoptees
By Brianne Kirkpatrick, MS, LCGC and
Shannon Combs-Bennett, QG, PLCGS
table of contents
Introduction
Why DNA testing, and why now?
Why this book?
Part 1: Getting Started
Chapter 1: Getting started if you haven’t searched before
Who to tell, and when to start?
Navigating family dynamics
Coping with Painful Experiences Along the Way
Chapter 2: Understanding records related to adoptions
Rights to Access Identifying versus Non-identifying Information
State-by-State Differences
Records Search for International Adoptions
Chapter 3: People and places to go for information about YOU
Confidential intermediary
Registries
DNA testing
The combination approach
Chapter 4: Finding support
Other people who can help with a search
Locating a therapist or counselor
Chapter 5: Anxiety, fear, and expectation
Anxiety triggers
Identifying your fears
Setting and managing expectations
Dealing with frustration during the search
Chapter 6: Common ancestors and living descendants
Relying on other peoples’ family trees
People-searching sites
Chapter 7: Learning from others
Alice’s Story
Laura’s Story
Chapter 8: How family tree building starts
Family Tree Building for Adoptive and Biological Families
Vital records?
Non-vital records
Brick wall research
Fixing common family tree mistakes
1. Catching mistakes
2. Fixing information that cannot be true
3. Working with common last names
4. Spellings that seem to change
Chapter 9: Best practices for genealogy research
Chapter 10: How to learn more about genealogy and DNA
Genealogical logic puzzles
Genealogy Courses and Conferences
Chapter 11: DNA: the game-changer for adoption-related searches
Identifying your goals for DNA testing
Ethnicity
Matching with DNA Relatives
Raw data: what it is and why it matters to a search for family
Health Conditions and Risks
Curiosity/Self-identity
Establishing Truth and Preserving Information
Chapter 12: Preparing for the Reaction of Your DNA Matches
Common Reactions
Preparing for unexpected challenges
Part 1 - Takeaway Points
Part 2: Bringing Science and Research Together through Genetic Genealogy
Chapter 13: Genetic genealogy and DNA basics
Genetic vs. Genealogical Trees
Chapter 14: What is Autosomal DNA?
Companies Providing Genealogical DNA Testing
Privacy and At-Home DNA Testing
Understanding your Autosomal DNA Results
A case example of family identification from DNA testing
Determining relatedness of a mystery person after autosomal DNA Testing
Using a Chromosome Browser to Study your DNA Matches
What is X Chromosome Testing?
Chapter 15: The other tests: Y and mitochondrial DNA
Y DNA
Mitochondrial DNA
Chapter 16: Your ethnicity pie chart
Reference Populations
Why Ethnicity Estimates Change Over Time
Chapter 17: Affording and ordering a DNA test
Getting the Most Out of Your Testing at the Lowest Cost
Kit Donation Programs
Part 2 - Takeaway points:
Part 3: What to Do After the Testing is Done
Chapter 18: Organize your DNA results
The DNA Family Member Match List
Creating and Using a Spreadsheet
Tracking your matches
Tracking DNA Segments
Chapter 19: Tools and websites to help with your DNA analysis
Third Party Tools
GEDmatch Genesis
“Are Your Parents Related?” and high ROH: a Special Issue for Some Adoptees
Additional tools beyond GEDmatch
Chapter 20: Phasing, triangulation, color clustering, and other advanced tools
Phasing
Triangulation
Adoptee-Specific Tools
Mirror Trees
Case in point: Creating and Using a Mirror Tree
Chapter 21: Reaching out to your DNA Matches
Surname and Place Name Studies
Finding a study
Creating a surname project or DNA study
Recruiting volunteers
Collating and analyzing data
Part 3 - Takeaway Points:
Part 4: DNA Tests and the Search for Health Information
Chapter 22: DNA and your health
Chapter 23: Preparing for medical DNA testing
Before you get started
The finer nuances
Different Tests, Different Purposes
Chapter 24: Understanding the different test types
Carrier screening
Diagnostic genetic testing
Pharmacogenomic Testing
Proactive gene panel tests
Exome and genome testing
Chapter 25: Special issues in medical DNA testing for adoptees
Trio testing
Outcomes of testing on outwardly healthy people
Working with a certified genetic counselor
Chapter 26: At-home DNA tests for health reasons
How to tell if an online DNA test is legitimate
23andMe health reports
Using raw data files for health information
Promethease and other third-party health tools
Genetic tests for nutrition and special abilities
Chapter 27: Accessing family health history
Questions to ask
Getting health information from your adoption records
Chapter 28: Special issues for adoptive parents and minors
When your adopted child brings up DNA testing
Special concerns about family matching databases
Gathering important medical information for your child
An adopted child with health concerns
Seeking out information for hidden health risks
Using raw data from an at-home DNA test
Final thoughts on DNA testing in adopted children
Part 4 - Takeaway Points:
Epilogue: Bringing It All Together
Appendix of Resources
Books
Genealogy and DNA Blogs
Facebook Groups
Podcasts
Websites for Adoption-Specific Genetic Topics
Websites for Common Ancestry Testing Companies
Websites for Genealogy
Websites for Medical and Counseling Support
Additional Genetics Websites and Third-Party Tools
Author Bios
Acknowledgements