DNA Testing, Document Retrieval USA, Online Groups
US Government Document Request Forms
Form G-884 – To request the return of original documents submitted to establish eligibility for an immigration benefit.
Form G-639 – Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request
Facebook Groups for Ethiopian Adoption
Ethiopia Homeland Travel and Birth Family Contact
This is a group for adoptees and adoptive families who are thinking about, or have completed, a trip back to Ethiopia with their children. This group provides a place for families to share information and resources to help with post-adoption return tip planning and/or firth/birth family contact. Ethiopian firsth/birth family members and adult adoptees are welcome.
Ethiopian Adoptive Parent Support Group
This is an information-sharing group for adoptive parents of Ethiopian children or those in process of adopting, offering complete support with no judgment. Those affiliated with adoption agencies facilitating adoptions in Ethiopia will not be approved for membership.
Searching with DNA
Update! See this page for information about our own DNA project with FTDNA and how you can get a coupon for a discounted kit.
There are three big companies that test and automatically compare results other people in their database. Start with an “autosomal” test. These tests can be used for general search and comparison or to test a specific relationship. If your specific relationship test turns out to be negative, you will still be compared with everyone else in the database both now and in the future. Costs vary but are usually around $100.
23ndMe – This is the most commonly used by Ethiopian adoptive parents to check for siblings and cousins. It’s a spit test and you must use their kit to submit a sample.
Family Tree DNA – this is a cheek swab test. They accept tests without a kit. Call them for instructions on how to submit a sample without a kit.
DNA Analysis Services
When you’ve gotten your results from one of the companies above, upload your raw data to GEDmatch for comparison with even more people!
GEDMatch GEDmatch provides DNA and gen gealogical analysis tools for amateur and professional researchers and genealogists. Most tools are free, but we do provide some premium tools for users who wish to help support us with contributions. You will need to upload DNA and / or genealogical (GEDCOM) data to make use of the tools here. Registration requires your name, email and password.
Using DNA to Search or Confirm a Relationship
Want to test a specific person to see if they are related to you? Use the steps above. If you are not related to each other, you will both have your DNA samples compared with others on an ongoing basis.
