Executive Summary
This case documents the researcher’s first closed adoption reunion, achieved with no prior genealogy experience. Starting with minimal clues (birthdate, city, hospital), DNA multi-testing and uploads across five platforms identified biological parents, revealed two non-paternity events (NPEs), and facilitated a positive reunion. The process adheres to the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) and demonstrates scalable methods used in seven subsequent cases.

Key Outcomes:

Biological mother contacted (warm reception).
Biological father named by mother; paternal grandparents definitively confirmed via DNA mapping despite no recorded child.

1. Client Profile & Research Scope
   Adoptee: Adult male (personal friend of researcher).
   Birth: November 1968, Arlington Hospital, Arlington, Virginia.
   Adoption Type: Closed/sealed (Virginia Code § 63.2-1241; no original birth certificate access).
   Initial Clues: Birth month/year, city, and hospital only—no parental names, relatives, or additional records.
   Objective: Identify biological parents and enable contact (with consent).
   Researcher Background: Complete beginner; self-taught through this case.
2. Research Challenges
   Legal Barriers: Sealed Virginia adoption records.
   Paternal Complexity: Grandfather described as a “ladies’ man” with multiple wives and partners; half-aunt estranged from family. No official record of child born to paternal grandparents together (deceptive or undocumented birth).
   Maternal Secrets: Grandmother’s undisclosed affair; biological mother raised believing her mother’s husband was her father (NPE); unaware of half-sibling.
3. Research Log & Methods
   Step-by-Step Process:

Immediate DNA Testing (Strategic for Beginner): Adoptee tested autosomal DNA at 23andMe, MyHeritage, and AncestryDNA.
Advanced Uploads (Maximize Matches): Raw results uploaded to GEDmatch (for chromosome clustering/utility phasing) and FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) (for Y-DNA/mtDNA/autosomal refinement). Total: 5 platforms.
Paternal Line Breakthrough:
Half-aunt match (daughter of paternal grandfather via prior relationship).
Interview (despite estrangement): Confirmed grandfather’s promiscuous history, providing surname/context clues.
DNA Mapping: Chromosome clusters definitively confirmed paternal grandparents—overrode lack of records.
Maternal Line Breakthrough:
Half-brother to biological mother match.
Traced shared father (grandmother’s affair partner); biological mother lifelong unaware of sibling or true paternity.
Verification & Disclosure: Biological mother named bio father. Researcher sensitively disclosed NPE and half-sibling connection.
Tools/Sources:
Category Examples
DNA 23andMe/MyHeritage/Ancestry (primary matches), GEDmatch (clusters), FTDNA (advanced).
Records Hospital birth context, vital indexes (VA), obituaries/directories.
Oral Half-aunt/half-brother interviews.
Total Effort: [Insert if known, e.g., 3–6 months; iterative self-learning].