Recommended Tests

For DNA Testing:

For all adoptees and others with unknown parents and/or grandparents, I recommend autosomal DNA testing. 

Males with unknown paternity should also order a Y-STR test (Y-37 level or higher). With this test it may be possible for a male to determine his genetic surname. Max Blankfeld of Family Tree DNA has estimated that this is possible about 30%-40% of the time.

Autosomal testing:

For autosomal DNA testing, start with either AncestryDNA ($99), 23andMe ($99) and/or 
Family Tree DNA's Family Finder ($79).  AncestryDNA is the best for unknown parentage (adoption) cases due to the large database and connected family trees. If at all possible, test at all four companies in order to "fish in all four ponds" for close family matches. There are so many success stories using this method that it is important to give yourself the best chance possible because you never know in which database the key match will be found that will solve the mystery of your origins! AncestryDNA data may also be uploaded to FTDNA's Family Finder database for free (you get all of your matches and it is only $19 additional to receive the enhanced features, like the chromosome browser, My Origins, etc...) and MyHeritage, so if you test there first, you can be in three databases for much less. 


23andMe

For those primarily interested in their ancestral breakdown (percentages of "ethnicity"), I recommend 23andMe. 

AncestryDNA's strength lies in its vast collection of family trees that are attached to your matches' DNA results. I strongly recommend their product for unknown parentage/adoption search.

Family Tree DNA

 

For Y-STR and mtDNA testing, Family Tree DNA (aka FTDNA) is the only company that I can currently recommend. I generally recommend testing, at least, 37 markers for Y-DNA. If finances are an issue, then start with one of the lower resolution tests and upgrade at a later time. 

I generally do not recommend mtDNA* testing for adoptees except in rare circumstances. If you decide to use a mtDNA test in your research, then I recommend the full sequence mtDNA product.

*Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing is usually not genealogically informative, so I recommend that women, instead, start with autosomal DNA testing and men test either their Y-DNA or autosomal DNA (or both). 

For Research

For researching DNA matches' family trees, I find Ancestry.com to be invaluable.

People Search by Spokeo

Spokeo is very helpful for locating living people once you have narrowed down your search.  Click here >> Spokeo

Newspapers.com is great for searching for obituaries and finding marriages, which are essential when researching living people. I use this service every day.