The Social Media Guide for Ancestral Research: Building Bridges: Learning from Others' Experiences: How DNA Solved Parentage

Normally when I share thoughts and ideas, I tend to concentrate on more concrete things, however, after reading the book, Finding Family by Richard Hill, I felt it wise to share my thoughts on this book.

This is one of those books that once you start reading it you don't wish to put it down until you have finished, yes, it is that interesting as well as informative in the process of locating ones biological parents under the difficult circumstances of closed records, sealed documents, individuals who were sworn to secrecy combined with those who could have helped having already passed away.

From the moment you begin, the reader brings you right into his life as it was at the point that he discovers he is adopted which happens as he goes for his physical before heading off to college. This is a point in life where he has had time to mature and act in an adult manner. He does this brilliantly as he works through how to handle this shocking and unexpected news with his adoptive parents at this point in his life.

During his 10th grade biology class he learned how parent's DNA recombines in their children and two parents with blue eyes should produce a child with blue eyes, his were brown. His teacher simply stated at the time that he should notice that their text book didn't even go into green or gray eyes and it was just a simple way to help understand DNA which didn't cover mutations and so he brushed it off at the time.

Along the way, individuals and friends in the family aid him in his long journey to discovering who his real parents are, his persistence in keeping detailed notes, which he referred to multiple times over a period of 30 years, made all the difference in his success. The hunt for his mother took less time then the hunt for his father.

His journey begins with following the paper trail but ends up through various DNA testing over time to finally bringing closure to discovering who was his biological father.

Never once does he diminish the roles of the parents that raised him for he understood the difference between biological parents and adoptive parents.

This is definitely worth reading if you wish to learn ways to go about discovering who ones' biological parents are if you are in this situation. Additionally, if you are someone who helps others it is also worth reading.

Its available either from your public library or on multiple sites where you purchase books.

Enjoy!