Unknown parentage cases can be emotionally significant and technically complex. They often require DNA analysis, reconstruction of several extended families and careful correlation with records, ages and locations.
Cases may involve
- An adopted person seeking biological parents
- An unknown father, grandfather or great-grandparent
- A surprise DNA result or unexpected close match
- A historical illegitimacy or informal adoption question
- Conflicting names or parent details in official records
What to provide
Useful starting material includes the known family tree, DNA testing platform, match information, relevant certificates, adoption paperwork where available, and a clear explanation of the question you hope to answer. Details about ages, places and family stories can be important even when they are not yet proved.
DNA platforms and access
Research may use AncestryDNA, GEDmatch or another available platform, depending on where the useful matches are found. Access may be provided through a platform’s collaborator tools or through permitted match information, screenshots, tree links and exports. Please do not send account passwords through the enquiry form.
How evidence is built
I identify match clusters, build trees for relevant matches, compare shared DNA, reconstruct candidate families and test each hypothesis against chronology and geography. I then use civil registration, parish records, electoral registers, newspapers and other sources where they can provide documentary support.
Scope, timing and research stages
A recent unknown-parent case with close matches may develop differently from a question several generations back. Some projects begin with an assessment of the existing results; others require several family networks to be built before any candidate can be tested. The quote defines the first research stage and an estimated timetable.
Smaller assessment questions may fit the Quick Search package, while a full parentage investigation usually requires a larger or hourly research stage.
What you receive
The agreed output may include a report explaining the DNA and documentary evidence, reconstructed descendant trees, a relationship chart, source references, a record of the hypotheses tested and recommendations for further testing or records.
Sensitive and ethical research
Living people have privacy interests, and research does not create an entitlement to contact or a relationship. Findings are presented carefully, uncertainties are clearly stated and the client remains in control of any next steps.
What research cannot guarantee
A definitive identification is not always possible. Useful matches may be too distant, family trees may be incomplete, records may be restricted or unavailable, and the relevant relatives may not have tested. Where the evidence supports only a family group or a probable candidate, I state that limitation clearly and identify what would be needed to strengthen the conclusion.
A related DNA case
The Henry Logan case study demonstrates how DNA can establish a connection to a wider family while the exact parentage question remains partly unresolved. It shows why a careful report must distinguish what is proved from what is still a working hypothesis.