DNA test advice

[BernadetteStBernard]

My son (now 15, placed with me at 4), has begun to talk more about his birth dad.

All we know is that when his birth mum was asked who dad was, she said she didn't know (there is sadly, family history of SA so I've always wondered if she didn't want to say for that reason), or maybe she just doesn't know. Around the time he was conceived she had more than one sexual encounter. She named her boyfriend at the time at one stage, but he was then ruled out via a DNA test.

He's now learning in Biology about genetics, DNA and heritage and one of his friends at school has told him she thinks he is mixed race (he is olive skinned) and this has made him wonder what his ethnicity is.

So here's the question. Any recommendations on good test kits (ancestry has been suggested) which will tell him more about his ethnicity and potentially link with any birth relatives. Has anyone else done this?

I am very open minded and supportive of him understanding more about his birth family, I know this may clash with some views on here but I feel this is best for him and his sense of identity.

Thanks!

[ifchocolatewerecelery]

I can't help with specific tests but the BBC has done programmes on the what happened next consequences of doing tests like these. I know they were on radio 4 and I think a version might also have been on bbc 2. I think they might throw up some stuff to talk about in preparing for the results.

[BernadetteStBernard]

@ifchocolatewerecelery

I can't help with specific tests but the BBC has done programmes on the what happened next consequences of doing tests like these. I know they were on radio 4 and I think a version might also have been on bbc 2. I think they might throw up some stuff to talk about in preparing for the results.

Thanks for the tip will have a look at that programme

[Finishingoff]

We used Ancestry for the same reasons. It gives a clear breakdown of ethnicity from each parent. We didn’t enable the matching facility which links you to people with shared DNA so we won’t be getting any messages from relatives saying that they are a half-sibling/4th cousin etc.

[netherworld]

I've tested with Ancestry and 23&Me, and uploaded my kit to FTDNA and My Heritage. The ethnicity results do vary, but I think that is because mine is all UK and the difference is in the split between Scots/Irish/English. I think the results are more accurate at identifying DNA from other regions, so something like, say, Italian would be obvious.
I'm adopted and tested to find my paternal side, like your son.

[solongandthanksforallthedish]

One of the programmes is called 'the gift', on BBC sounds. It was really interesting.

I don't know if I'd let my kid do one of these under 18.

[CadyEastman]

Yes definitely listen to The Gift on BBC Sounds if you haven't already.

I think though as others have said, if he just wants to find out his ethnicity then potentially that has fewer risks than having his DF's family contact him.

[BernadetteStBernard]

Thanks all - just ordered and delivered just waiting to be done. Have opted to NOT be connected to anyone just to show ethnic identity side of things so it won't show more than we can manage right now.

[CadyEastman]

That sounds like a good solution