General Chat

I was adopted at birth in England and I have had my DNA tested and the results have matched me with a lady who was also adopted - Up till very recently she did not know her birth name or have any family connection.- though her daughter and the Scottish Registry Office we have managed to get hold of a copy of her birth certificate which advises her birth mother's name and DOB. only but nothing more - The Scottish Adoption Agency has indicated that it would probably be helpful to apply to the Courts for a copy of her Adoption Court papers for further information.
I am aware of my own birth Mother's family details etc and have a copy of her birth certificate - but I do not hold any details of my birth father.
Clearly somewhere in the DNA results we have a part match - our DNA gives us a 22% match with 1557cM -over 33 sectors (half sibling or Cousin) - my Ethnicity indicates some 70% Scottish roots with two specific locations identified.- (although my own Birth Mother was definitely English by birth) - This Lady we know was born in Scotland very close to the two locations identified in my DNA Ethnicity. -without further evidence it would seem likely that we could be close to finding some detail about our birth father/s
Unfortunately we are in lockdown and have had this issue now for 10 months and we are unable access the court adoption papers. - We have a further issue in that this lady lives in Melbourne Australia and I live in England and have been in regular contact with the daughter who lives in Perth Australia.
We would like to try and make headway as we are both around 80 years old.
Can any one give us a lead to be able to open up the prospects of making a firm link - (professional expert or otherwise) by understanding our DNA - between us and what that link might be. - we are looking for directions please - and any help would be appreciated . Thank you! PGW

Would getting a solicitor to help you with the court be the best thing. Perhaps look for one who knows about adoption cases to get the documents as soon as possible.


I use DNA Painter for relationships - you just put the amount of cMs in the box.

1557 cMs result from DNA Painter - wonder if you share a father????


100% - Grandparent, Aunt / Uncle, Half Sibling, Niece / Nephew, Grandchild


this is the link to DNA Painter to help you with other relationships

https://dnapainter.com/tools/sharedcmv4

You could also check Family Search which has a Centimorgan Chart and a cousin calculator to gauge relationships too so each source ought to pretty much confirm the other, ie Pat's source and the FSearch Centimorgan Chart.

A reputable intermediary could take some of the weight off your shoulders - as Pat says, a solicitor - or - your local Family History Society may well be able to direct you to someone who specialises in cases such as yours.

Good luck, Peter, but remember, some people just don't want to be 'found'.

Looking at my own matches I have 2000+ cm match with a sibling and nearly 800cm match with a first cousin - so half siblings look quite likely. although a chart I have says double first cousins.

Most companys have a system where you can look at shared matches - you need to see if there are matches with trees. If you can put trees together you might be able to work out some possibilities.

I don't know anything about adoptions so don't understand why your potential sister can't apply for her papers.

If you did an Ancestry test it might be worth uploaded to some of the other test companys - although a charge may or may not be required.

Has the daughter in Perth done a test - it might help narrow down the correct family.

Just for information - I had worked out a group of brothers who could have been my OH's grandfather - we were later able to work out which one when my brother in law did a test with another company and a half 1st cousin matched. Working his tree back we found which one of the brothers was the grandfather.

Good luck.

I know of someone who wanted to access Scotland's adoption records from afar.

(Adoption c. 1950)

They were able to give permission for someone to look at the records for them, (not a solicitor, as I recall, as there was no mention of a large fee ) and make notes of relevant points but NOT take actual copies.
The child's birth father was named there, although that is not always the case.
He had later married and it was then possible to trace his son and after due consideration, the half siblings met and formed a good relationship.

This site gives some hints

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/adoption-records

That probably explains it. Thanks Gwyn. It looks then as though no one will be able to access the papers until after the pandemic.

Which leaves them trying to sort out DNA matches.