General Discussion

WePurrsevere

(24,259 posts)

94. This is an area of DNA testing that actually can be helpful. I'm an older adoptee...

Mon Mar 12, 2018, 05:33 PM

Mar 2018

who's now in contact with family members from both sides because of DNA, sleuthing and 'luck'. Sadly my bio parents are both deceased but everyone has been very kind and welcoming so far. Mind you I wasn't the product of an affair but rather young love and hot summer nights and I'm almost positive my bio father didn't know about me.

If you're interested in health (and from what you said I'm not sure you should do this) ... I took the 23andMe health and wasn't impressed but my background is in the medical field. What I suggest to save a bit of money is, test on Ancestry (largest database) and the upload your raw data to either Codegen.eu (free) or Prometheus ($10).

If you're looking for your father's side there are places you can expand your search at for free. If you're on FB there's group run by the DNA Detectives that I've found incredibly helpful called, DD Social. There are quite a few more but that's my favorite.

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DNA Heritage Tests - Why Would E. Warren or Anybody Bother? [View all] MineralMan Mar 2018 OP

These "DNA tests" are bogus. Archae Mar 2018 #1

My wife's father's family were Volga Deutsch. MineralMan Mar 2018 #3

I've taken several DNA tests CanonRay Mar 2018 #8

The DNA test I got even cited the same two counties where my father had found his relatives. pnwmom Mar 2018 #114

Ive taken 3 and the results are more or less the same. BannonsLiver Mar 2018 #26

In the few cases in which there really are "wildly" different results Mariana Mar 2018 #74

My daughter just received her results. StarryNite Mar 2018 #109

My cousin had it done. Mariana Mar 2018 #122

I found relatives that I lost, it has been amazing. Nt USALiberal Mar 2018 #123

That's some bold white privilege rolling out there Blue_Adept Mar 2018 #2

If one is curious, then it's fine, of course. MineralMan Mar 2018 #5

"I have no problem with people doing it. I just don't see the utility of it" Bonx Mar 2018 #39

I see great utility in intellectual curiosity, and if Hortensis Mar 2018 #119

I agree. scarletlib Mar 2018 #7

I don't think that was the poster's point leftstreet Mar 2018 #21

In search of purity dalton99a Mar 2018 #4

LOL! MineralMan Mar 2018 #6

My main issues are privacy concerns. madaboutharry Mar 2018 #9

As long as all my past ancestors came from planet Earth, MineralMan Mar 2018 #10

I agree. madaboutharry Mar 2018 #12

Wish I Could Say That With Certainty, MM ProfessorGAC Mar 2018 #75

Well, that's on you, isn't it? MineralMan Mar 2018 #92

Dad's parents shed any identification they had with their Indian ancestry bigtree Mar 2018 #11

It has always been my assumption that anything is possible MineralMan Mar 2018 #14

a search to determine ancestry can be a necessary one bigtree Mar 2018 #19

My father was born in Oklahoma. There has always been this story MineralMan Mar 2018 #46

is it really 'just vanity?' bigtree Mar 2018 #48

It's my opinion. Everything I write here is my opinion. MineralMan Mar 2018 #59

I think most of the people who have an issue with her accounting of her heritage bigtree Mar 2018 #62

I named her in the title of my post for a reason. MineralMan Mar 2018 #65

that's why I provided concrete reasons for testing bigtree Mar 2018 #66

My words don't carry all that much weight, bigtree. MineralMan Mar 2018 #67

your opinion bigtree Mar 2018 #76

both grandparents came from Oklahoma...born in the territory..NA stories everywhere in our oral samnsara Mar 2018 #55

Not surprising, really. MineralMan Mar 2018 #57

Government recognized tribal affiliation has to be proven via enrollment records bigbrother05 Mar 2018 #61

Some people are interested in history and some aren't. pnwmom Mar 2018 #115

Stop making sense, dammit... First Speaker Mar 2018 #13

I can't. It must be in my genes. MineralMan Mar 2018 #15

I am adopted - i have complicated feelings about this el_bryanto Mar 2018 #16

That is truly a dilemma. MineralMan Mar 2018 #22

This message was self-deleted by its author Mosby Mar 2018 #77

Hi Bryant - I'm not adopted, but both of our children are. Pendrench Mar 2018 #84

It should be whatever feels right to you -- but it wouldn't be a sign of disloyalty to your parents. pnwmom Mar 2018 #96

A third cousin found me...her mother was adopted. nini Mar 2018 #110

It is basically a scam. alarimer Mar 2018 #17

Many reasons Crepuscular Mar 2018 #18

Have you seen this fascinating story in The Washington Post? Hassin Bin Sober Mar 2018 #35

That's truly amazing. What a great story about solving MineralMan Mar 2018 #41

Thanks Crepuscular Mar 2018 #45

My good friend recently discovered her sister is really her half sister. Hassin Bin Sober Mar 2018 #108

Wow! What a story. Thanks so much for posting. Exotica Mar 2018 #95

I did it out of curiosity; no real surprises. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2018 #20

I don't care what others decide to do, really. MineralMan Mar 2018 #24

Of course I would never want anyone to be required to get a DNA test. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2018 #29

Consider this argument hexola Mar 2018 #23

I learned quite a bit from mine BannonsLiver Mar 2018 #25

A friend did this snowybirdie Mar 2018 #27

Yes. The newer tests can reveal things other than simple regional heritage. MineralMan Mar 2018 #28

I would actually love to do DNA testing Clarity2 Mar 2018 #30

Ancestry doesn't test for health BannonsLiver Mar 2018 #31

Thanks Clarity2 Mar 2018 #103

This is an area of DNA testing that actually can be helpful. I'm an older adoptee... WePurrsevere Mar 2018 #94

Thank you Clarity2 Mar 2018 #104

FWIW, Ancestry does what's called autosomal testing so gender isn't an issue. WePurrsevere Mar 2018 #111

Great - thank you! nt Clarity2 Mar 2018 #121

My mother completely lost touch with cousins she loved who moved when she was young. pnwmom Mar 2018 #32

I have some cousins on my father's side who I haven't seen for over 50 years. MineralMan Mar 2018 #34

Well, you don't. That doesn't mean other people wouldn't be glad to find some long-lost relatives. pnwmom Mar 2018 #40

And yet, I can still wonder why anyone would bother. MineralMan Mar 2018 #43

Yes, you certainly can. But your OP asked why ANYONE would bother. pnwmom Mar 2018 #47

Babies being swapped at birth would probably be a very big deal to anyone. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2018 #49

Really, no. It wouldn't change who raised me. MineralMan Mar 2018 #51

Well, Crepuscular Mar 2018 #73

I'm 72 years old, and my life has been a very complex one. MineralMan Mar 2018 #82

My Sister Was Adopted ProfessorGAC Mar 2018 #78

Being swapped at birth isn't the same as being adopted. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2018 #81

I can see Crepuscular Mar 2018 #90

Ok, dad. nt LexVegas Mar 2018 #33

I can assure you with 100% certainty that I am not your father. MineralMan Mar 2018 #36

I know, right? Tipperary Mar 2018 #37

I think its fascinating and you can uncover some real surprising results. nt LexVegas Mar 2018 #38

ICAM. They are a waste of money. I've called it a hobby for the rich lunamagica Mar 2018 #42

Well, if people want to spend their money that way, I don't care, either. MineralMan Mar 2018 #44

Do You Only Do Things RobinA Mar 2018 #107

Think of genealogy and dna testing this way....it's a bit like astronomy. chowder66 Mar 2018 #50

So, then, they should do it. MineralMan Mar 2018 #52

Here is what I said about Warren and DNA chowder66 Mar 2018 #58

I'm glad we agree about Elizabeth Warren. MineralMan Mar 2018 #60

Some people are more curious than others, I think. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2018 #53

almost everyone i know has taken them and we gave them as xmas gifts.. samnsara Mar 2018 #54

OK. I don't mind if you do. MineralMan Mar 2018 #56

I tend to agree matt819 Mar 2018 #63

We only met our MFM008 Mar 2018 #64

Why judge? KatyMan Mar 2018 #68

Because some people were insisting that Elizabeth Warren MineralMan Mar 2018 #71

OK, in Warren's case, or yours, that's fine KatyMan Mar 2018 #80

I am with you Egnever Mar 2018 #69

Its the same BS the birthers pulled on Obama arthritisR_US Mar 2018 #70

Exactly. This thread is about whether E. Warren should MineralMan Mar 2018 #72

I think if you had stated your OP in terms of whether EW was obligated to do it The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2018 #79

You're right. And the result would be exactly the same. Mariana Mar 2018 #99

Excellent point and dead on! arthritisR_US Mar 2018 #100

If Elizabeth W. isn't actually NA by blood or kin, it isn't surprising. Freelancer Mar 2018 #83

If you qualify to be on the Cherokee rolls because of your ancestors, then you're Cherokee. pnwmom Mar 2018 #113

To each their own Maeve Mar 2018 #85

Mine was a real bonus; so glad I did it Awsi Dooger Mar 2018 #86

I found cousins too! MountCleaners Mar 2018 #118

Not to mention data for sale could end up used against you lostnfound Mar 2018 #87

Actually, the health insurance companies already have that data. MineralMan Mar 2018 #91

They would be breaking their contract if they do that and could be sued. Read the contract pnwmom Mar 2018 #116

Nobody cares except the racist motherfucker who are shouting for it. TheSmarterDog Mar 2018 #88

I see no need to drop $80 or $100 to some company process my DNA. CentralMass Mar 2018 #89

NPR had a DNA expert on a thing about these tests, pansypoo53219 Mar 2018 #93

Reminds me of a Heinlein quote Lord_at_War Mar 2018 #97

I was curious, but the people who have the info don't answer questions ecstatic Mar 2018 #98

My sisters are big on DNA testing and finding long-lost relatives. Sophia4 Mar 2018 #101

My parents do not know much about my family beyond their home states. RandySF Mar 2018 #102

If you upload your raw data to a better site, it's worth it Blaukraut Mar 2018 #105

Well, RobinA Mar 2018 #106

Forget about DNA tests, because Saturday, we're all Irish. oasis Mar 2018 #112

I did it as an aid to genealogy; I already knew what my ethnic ancestry was. Spider Jerusalem Mar 2018 #117

That would be the uncurious and anti-science perspective. aikoaiko Mar 2018 #120