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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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DNA Tests Solve Man's 26-Year Search for His Dad

Testing helped adopted man discover his birth father through his surname

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(Newser) – A Michigan man's decades-long search for his biological father was fulfilled with an assist from DNA-based genealogy tests, the Wall Street Journal reports. Richard Hill—who didn't know he was adopted until his adoptive father revealed the truth from his deathbed—discovered his birth mother's identity fairly easily but hit a dead end with his father until a modern test connected his DNA profile with a surname.

Hill—whose birth mother had left misleading clues—searched through his notes after discovering his DNA was likely that of a Richards. He contacted the surviving relatives of the man called Richards his mother had known. They agreed to tests, which confirmed he was part of the family. Hill now attends Richards family reunions and hears tales of his father, and he now offers others free advice on adoption searches.

A Michigan man managed to discover the identity of his birth father through extensive detective work and the help of powerful modern DNA tests.
A Michigan man managed to discover the identity of his birth father through extensive detective work and the help of powerful modern DNA tests.   (Shutterstock)
Modern DNA tests make it possible for people to link their genes to surnames.
Modern DNA tests make it possible for people to link their genes to surnames.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
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When I was born, in 1946, society was pretty harsh on children born 'out of wedlock.' My adoptive parents made a decision that few would make today. They decided to pass me off as their natural child.
- Richard Hill

I have an incredible sense of relief that I found him.
- Richard Hill

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7 comments
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Reader73707031
May 2, 09 1:45 PM CDT
Everyone should take the genetic DNA test, to learn of their true ancestry, rather than what they have been taught of being. Reply
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
SPH
May 2, 09 4:08 PM CDT
I disagree...Somethings are better left unknown...
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0
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
May 2, 09 5:53 PM CDT
Before DNA testing was known, a wife having an affair had little reason to consider divorce, separation, adoption, or abortion. After all, no one would ever know. Now that DNA tests can nail down paternity, past indiscretions can be revealed, and counselors advise that this is more common than many admit ........................... There is something to what SPH says. If you're not willing to live with knowledge of something you can't condone, if you're a straight-laced Bible thumper, if you can't deal with knowing your mother cheated on your father, then you should face the reality of the way things used to be and seriously consider not being tested. You people have to be treated with kids' gloves ;-)
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IN RESPONSE:
RobN
May 3, 09 11:11 AM CDT
So now women who are screwing around will consider divorce, separation, adoption or abortion because DNA testing is available? What's the thought process there? "I'd better divorce my husband before he decides to check the DNA of our kid and finds out it isn't his" or "Maybe I should put this kid up for adoption because my husband will DNA test him/her, but he won't think it's weird that I want to put our kid up adoption?" Really you think this is going to happen?
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+1
Mad
May 3, 09 12:46 PM CDT
I call the woman who raised me my mother, and the man who raised me my father. I am the father to my children, and my children are mine. No DNA test can tell me otherwise Reply
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+1

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