Finding Family DNA

Join host Jay Rosenzweig and genealogy expert Misty Gillis at RootsTech 2025, the world’s largest family history conference. This special episode features exciting interviews, personal stories, and insightful discussions on the ethical dimensions of genealogical research and the transformative power of DNA. Highlights include a touching reunion facilitated by Jay, discussions about genealogical tools with GEDMatch, and personal experiences that underscore the emotional impact of discovering family connections.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/RpGW_h77BE4

00:00 Welcome to Finding Family DNA

00:30 Like, Subscribe, Rate & Review the Show!

01:02 Introducing GEDMatch Sponsor

01:40 Misty's First Impressions of RootsTech

02:44 Ethics in Genealogy

06:30 The Importance of Medical History

08:24 The Role of an Intermediary in Reunions

12:31 Mary's Story and Meeting Rae

16:57 A Mysterious Encounter

17:36 KTLA Segment and Birth Father Reunion

19:03 Interview with Family Search CEO Steve Rockwood

21:26 Holocaust Reunion Project

24:25 Heartwarming Case of Vilunya Diskin

26:31 GEDMatch and DNA Justice

30:41 Roots Tech Experience

33:51 Final Thoughts

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #adoption #DNA #Genealogy

In this heartwarming episode, host Jay facilitates a profound reunion between Anthony McDermott and his birth father, Greig Watson. Discover how DNA testing brought them together after decades of separation and uncovered the identity of Anthony’s birth mother. Genealogist Misty Gillis plays a crucial role, using intricate DNA analysis to solve this family mystery. Watch as emotions unfold and new family bonds form, bridging the gaps of time and distance. Don’t miss this touching story of identity, heritage, and the powerful connections that define us.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/kmqkdCPw48Q

00:00 Discovering a Long-Lost Son

00:23 Welcome to the show!

00:40 Introducing Misty Gillis

01:28 Upcoming Events and Conferences

02:44 Introducing Greig and Tony's Story

03:02 Tony's Journey: Taking a DNA Test

06:11 Greig's Perspective: Taking the DNA Test

08:02 Connecting Through a Private Investigator

08:46 Finding Tony's Birth Mother

09:11 Misty Gillis: Solving the Case

12:57 Tony's First Contact with His Birth Mother

16:22 Tony's Adoptive Family Support

20:34 Tony and Greig's Reunion

21:07 Final Thoughts

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

This podcast was edited using PodShuttle, the fully-remote podcast editing and management service owned and operated by CHOBO Studios. For more info, visit podshuttle.io and follow us on Instagram to see more shows we've helped bring to life.

https://www.instagram.com/chobostudios

https://www.instagram.com/podshuttle

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #adoption

This week Chris & Jay welcome Lizett Armstrong who shares the emotional journey of discovering her biological father’s identity after years of uncertainty. Born in Tijuana and raised in the United States without knowledge of her father, Lizett’s quest begins with fragmented clues and a baptismal certificate. Her mother's reluctance to divulge information fueled Lizett’s determination to learn more. With the help of Jay Rosenzweig and genealogical advances in DNA testing, Lizett overcomes significant challenges posed by cross-border searches and common last names. The breakthrough arrives when a DNA test not only confirms her father’s identity but also connects her with relatives who knew him. This episode captures the complexities of Lizett's search, the poignant discovery of her father’s past, and her emotional reunion with a family she never knew she had, all intertwined with themes of identity, family bonds, and closure.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/zDcX1LWflMo

00:00 Cold Open

00:27 Introduction to Finding Family DNA

01:27 Meet Lizett Armstrong

03:37 Lizett's Early Life and Family Struggles

05:18 The Search Begins

12:08 A Breakthrough with DNA

15:02 Discovering the Truth

25:33 Caretakers' Reluctance and Initial Contact

27:15 Discovering Father's Life in the US

28:00 Family Dynamics and Estrangement

28:51 Finding Family Members and Filling the Void

33:10 Reflecting on the Journey

36:28 Mother's Role and Challenges

39:29 Advice for Others on a Similar Journey

45:22 Emotional Conclusion and Future Plans

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

Recorded at CHOBO Studios • Los Angeles

LA’s premiere podcasting powerhouse located in beautiful Van Nuys, California.

https://www.chobostudios.com

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #adoption

This week Chris and Jay explore the compelling story of Angela Harden's search for her biological parents. Angela, who was adopted at a young age, embarked on this journey driven by health concerns and a curiosity about her familial origins. The episode highlights the complexities of genealogical research, particularly when dealing with small-town records and overlapping familial ties. With the expertise of genetic genealogist Misty Gillis, they navigate through intricate DNA matches and historical records, ultimately making significant progress on Angela's paternal side. The discussion delves into the emotional impact of these discoveries, including Angela's resolve to reach out to her birth mother, underlining the profound personal implications of uncovering one's roots through DNA testing.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/rQyKMUMWaOY

00:00 Cold Open

00:29 Welcome to Finding Family DNA

01:40 Meet Misty Gillis: Genetic Genealogist

02:22 Misty's Cold Case Success

04:58 Angela Harden's Case

10:02 Angela's Adoption Journey

16:57 Solving the Maternal Side Mystery

21:53 Identifying Angela's Birth Mother

22:39 Angela's Emotional Journey

23:20 Connecting the Dots: Family Ties

25:26 Reaching Out to Ruth

27:03 Advice and Next Steps

31:47 Discovering Paternal Connections

41:30 Angela's Reflections and Advice

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

Recorded at CHOBO Studios • Los Angeles

LA’s premiere podcasting powerhouse located in beautiful Van Nuys, California.

https://www.chobostudios.com

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #adoption

This week we discuss the case of David Durbin, a 53-year-old man who embarked on a journey to uncover his biological origins. Born in 1969 and adopted at birth, David had minimal information about his birth parents. With Jay's expertise and the strategic use of the California Birth Index, they discovered his birth name was David Anderson, and his mother's uncommon last name, Capps, led them to uncover her unfortunate early demise due to an overdose. Through Ancestry.com, David connected to his maternal side and, despite the challenges, made significant headway on his paternal side, eventually reconnecting with his biological father, Charles Anderson, who was living back east. This episode captures the intricate search and emotional reunion, exploring the complex interplay of genetics, ancestry, and the profound impact of reuniting with biological relatives later in life.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/ET5wCtr3yEg

00:00 Cold Open

00:34 Meet the Hosts: Chris and Jay

00:48 Patreon and Exclusive Content

01:23 Introducing David Durbin's Case

02:40 David's Birth Search Journey

04:42 Challenges with the Maternal Side

10:16 David's Perspective and Motivation

14:47 The Search Begins

16:04 Connecting with Birth Father

16:50 Emotional Reunion

22:49 Life Growing Up Adopted

25:11 Joining the Navy

26:59 Reflections on Adoption

29:30 Finding Closure

31:01 Final Thoughts

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

Recorded at CHOBO Studios • Los Angeles

LA’s premiere podcasting powerhouse located in beautiful Van Nuys, California.

https://www.chobostudios.com

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #adoption

This week Chris & Jay dive into the unique story of Robin Wescott whose biological mother went to the hospital under Robin’s adoptive mother's name and gave birth to her. This episode explores the emotional and logistical aftermath of finding out she was adopted at 65 years old after decades of secrets. Through detailed DNA analysis and genealogical research led by genealogist Misty Gillis, the episode illustrates the painstaking efforts to reconstruct Robin’s familial connections, culminating in a series of heartfelt and revelatory encounters with her newfound relatives.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/3MHQCCScjhY

00:00 Cold Open

00:26 Welcome to Finding Family DNA

00:55 Exclusive Content on Patreon

01:51 Robin Westcott's Case

02:12 The California Birth Index

04:14 Introducing Misty Gillis

05:47 DNA Results and Discoveries

09:59 Connecting with Half Siblings

12:15 Robin Westcott Joins the Show

13:09 Robin's Journey for the Truth

19:10 Connecting with Birth Family

20:23 Discovering Birth Parents

21:43 Family Reunions and Emotions

23:46 Exploring Paternal Connections

25:31 Reflecting on the Journey

27:59 Uncovering Family Secrets

32:38 Final Thoughts and Exclusive Segment

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

Recorded at CHOBO Studios • Los Angeles

LA’s premiere podcasting powerhouse located in beautiful Van Nuys, California.

https://www.chobostudios.com

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #adoption

This week Chris & Jay are joined by Annie Ross, Jay’s niece, who shares her personal experience as a sperm donor-conceived individual. The discussion touches on the reasons donors choose anonymity, the challenges recipients face in accessing vital medical histories, and the broader implications for identity and rights in the context of assisted reproductive technologies. Annie shares how her upbringing shaped her understanding of family and identity. This episode not only navigates the sensitive terrain of sperm donation but also highlights the changing dynamics brought about by advances in DNA testing, which increasingly challenge the anonymity once guaranteed to donors.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/qkefw0_NA8Y

00:00 Cold Open

00:18 Welcome to Finding Family DNA

00:43 Help Support the Podcast!

01:44 Sperm Donor Cases and Challenges

04:25 Annie Ross: Personal Story

06:55 Growing Up with Unique Family Dynamics

12:25 Discovering Siblings

18:00 Choosing the Donor: Looks and Traits

19:35 Impact of DNA Testing on Donor Anonymity

23:12 Meeting Donor Siblings

28:20 The Role of Therapy and Support

30:04 Considering Help from Uncle Jay

32:50 Final Thoughts

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

Recorded at CHOBO Studios • Los Angeles

LA’s premiere podcasting powerhouse located in beautiful Van Nuys, California.

https://www.chobostudios.com

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #spermdonation #spermdonorbaby

While Chris is on vacation, Jay is joined by Rosie Okumura, an expert in scam detection. This episode focuses on the story of Mary Maybee, a 75-year-old adoptee from Denver, who sought to uncover her roots. After a serendipitous meeting with Jay at a genealogy conference, Mary shares her emotional journey to connect with her birth family. Through the diligent efforts of Jay and his team, Mary finds her birth father alive at 99 years old.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/yZD0mRNNl08

00:00 Cold Open

00:50 Meet Rosie: Scam Expert

04:12 Introducing Misty Gillis

05:26 Mary Maybee's Adoption Story

07:10 Finding Birth Parents

09:17 Mary's Journey to Find Her Birth Mother

17:35 Discovering the Birth Father

19:39 The Search for Mary's Birth Father

20:35 Uncovering Kermit's Past

23:09 Challenges in Contacting Kermit's Family

24:07 Mary's Letter and the Investigator's Visit

27:39 DNA Confirmation and Emotional Reactions

31:41 Mary's Adoption Records and Health Concerns

37:55 Mary's Genealogy Board Involvement

39:23 Final Thoughts

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

Recorded at CHOBO Studios • Los Angeles

LA’s premiere podcasting powerhouse located in beautiful Van Nuys, California.

https://www.chobostudios.com

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #geneticgenealogy #adoptioninvestigation #privateinvestigation #adoption #adoptionstories #DNA

In episode 14 of "Finding Family DNA," Caroline Chamblee shares her journey through adoption from both the perspective of an adoptee and a birth mother. Caroline was adopted into a loving family but always knew about her adoption and had some information about her birth mother. As an adult, with the support of her adoptive parents, Caroline sought to reconnect with her biological mother, a process facilitated by Jay Rosenzweig. Unfortunately, the reunion was not what Caroline had hoped for, as her birth mother reacted negatively to the outreach. The episode also explores Caroline's decision to place her child for adoption, highlighting her choice for an open adoption to ensure her child wouldn't face the same uncertainties she did. 

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/-xHpk-sVhbY

00:00 Cold Open

00:39 Welcome to Finding Family DNA

01:35 Caroline's Story

02:14 The Search for Caroline's Birth Mother

04:07 Caroline's Perspective on Adoption

12:40 Finding Caroline's Birth Father

24:37 Caroline's Unique Adoption Journey

32:25 Final Thoughts

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

Recorded at CHOBO Studios • Los Angeles

LA’s premiere podcasting powerhouse located in beautiful Van Nuys, California.

https://www.chobostudios.com

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #geneticgenealogy #adoptioninvestigation #privateinvestigation #adoption #adoptionstories #DNA

In episode 13 of "Finding Family DNA," Lori Quinn shares her story of discovering her biological family through the efforts of Jay and his team. Initially contacting BirthParentFinder.com due to a compelling news story featuring Chris, Lori's journey uncovers layers of her identity shaped by a closed adoption. The episode explores the emotional first meeting with her paternal half-sister, Kathleen, via Zoom, revealing immediate familial connections and shared traits that Lori had never experienced before. Throughout the episode, Lori expresses the profound impact of seeing and recognizing herself in her newly found relatives, delving into the deeper significance of genetic ties and the inherent longing for familial connections that shaped her inquiry into her roots.

Join our Patreon to get exclusive bonus segments from each episode!

https://www.patreon.com/findingfamilydna

Watch this podcast right now on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/VbiaEGRQZ-Q

00:00 Cold Open

00:14 Introduction

03:10 Connecting with the Paternal Side

05:44 First Meeting with Half-Sister Kathleen

10:05 Lori's Adoption Story

13:53 Life in the Botham Household

17:25 Starting Her Own Family

18:37 Discovering Acting and Life Changes

24:33 Finding Biological Relatives

27:54 Connecting with Maternal Family

32:54 Reflections and Advice

37:27 Conclusion and Next Steps

Follow the show here:

https://www.instagram.com/findingfamilydna/

https://www.instagram.com/lasleuth

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder/

Are you looking to find your birth parents? Get in touch with Jay and his team!

https://www.birthparentfinder.com

https://www.instagram.com/birthparentfinder

Recorded at CHOBO Studios • Los Angeles

LA’s premiere podcasting powerhouse located in beautiful Van Nuys, California.

https://www.chobostudios.com

#findingfamilyDNA #birthparentfinder #podshuttle #chobostudios #geneticgenealogy #adoptioninvestigation #privateinvestigation #adoption #adoptionstories #DNA