Searching for birth family can be a long, hard road. It’s often filled with heartache and disappointment. Unfortunately, not all stories have a happy ending. That being said, you should never give up searching for your birth family if a reunion is what you want.

There are many different tools that you can use to search. There are adoption registries, non-identifying information, public records, private investigators, and DNA testing. Even if it seems like you have exhausted all of your options, that doesn’t mean there is no hope. Keep reaching out, keep searching, and be patient.

Sometimes you have all the right information, the right pieces, but you need help from someone else to figure out the puzzle. There are plenty of people online who are willing to help if you just ask. They have tools at their disposal that most of us just don’t have access to. Search angels often have subscriptions to online information databases and are members of online search communities where they can ask for help if they need it.

Also, DNA testing has been a game changer. It’s not always the miracle answer people portray it to be though. I will say that many people don’t realize how good their matches are, so they are left disappointed when their reunion is at arm’s length. If you don’t know anything about DNA, find someone who does. It’s important to know what you have.

For the people who genuinely don’t have good matches, it’s just a matter of time. New people are taking DNA tests every single day. You’ll get an email every time you have a new DNA match. Just keep an eye on your email, and eventually you’ll get the match you’re waiting for.

Don’t let your search consume your life though. It can be easy to let it take over everything at first. It happens to the best of us. If you get to a place where everything stalls, be patient and enjoy your life. There’s always hope.

Your first step in your search and reunion journey is to register in Adoption.com’s Reunion Registry.

 

Ashley Foster is a freelance writer. She is a wife and mother of two currently residing in Florida. She loves taking trips to the beach with her husband and sons. As an infant, she was placed with a couple in a closed adoption. Ashley was raised with two sisters who were also adopted. In 2016, she was reunited with her biological family. She advocates for adoptees’ rights and DNA testing for those who are searching for family. Above all, she is thankful that she was given life. You can read her blog at //ashleysfoster.blogspot.com/.