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Tests for Adoptees & Unknown Parentage

Many individuals who were adopted are searching for information about their biological parents or general information about their family origins.

With the largest Y-DNA and mtDNA databases in the world, FamilyTreeDNA gives you the best chance to find relevant information about your family.

Males can test their Y-DNA to:

  • trace the paternal line
  • determine possible original surnames
  • connect with genetic cousins
  • learn about your suggested geographic origins
  • find your deep ancestral ethnic origins

Both males and females can test their mtDNA to:

  • trace the maternal line
  • connect with genetic cousins
  • learn about your suggested geographic origins
  • find your deep ancestral ethnic origins

Which Tests to Take

Y-DNA Tests (Paternal Line Test) - Click here to learn more and order. 

Males can test their Y-DNA to determine the origin of their paternal line. Note that the Y-DNA test strictly checks the paternal line, with no influence from any females along that line. Females do not receive Y-DNA, and therefore females cannot be tested for the paternal line. If you are a female and would like to know about your paternal line, you would need to have a brother or a male relative from that line tested.

mtDNA (Maternal Line Test) - Click here to learn more and order. 

Both males and females can test their mtDNA to determine the origin of their maternal line. Note that the mtDNA strictly checks the maternal line, with no influence from any males along that line. Men and women both receive their mtDNA from their mother.

Autosomal DNA (Family Finderâ„¢) - Click here to learn more and order. 

For males and females. The Family Finder Test helps you find family across all your lines, up to 6 generations back, by checking hundreds of thousands of points in your autosomal DNA, and comparing your results with others in the Family Finder database.

  • Aunts & Uncles, Parents and Grandparents
  • Siblings, Half siblings, and 1st cousins
  • 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins
  • Possibly 5th cousins and beyond!
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