Genealogy
Adopted from Malaysia, finding birth parents
Peoniesandcats · 14/02/2021 08:37
I was adopted from Malaysia back in 1986 and there is no paperwork. I'm interested in finding out about my birth parents and that side of my life. I've signed up to Ancestry DNA but can anyone recommend other similar sites where maybe it's more popular in Asia? Feels like the only way I'll be able to get any information at the moment. Thanks
FTMF30 · 14/02/2021 19:16
Do your adoptive parents kjow you are doing this? Maybe they can help. Why is there no paperwork?
Peoniesandcats · 14/02/2021 20:37
Yes I've been asking my adoptive family but no-one knows or remembers anything (which is strange in itself!) Mum has dementia so haven't been able to get any info.
They are listed as my parents on my birth certificate but it's not true, they paid and brought me back from Malaysia. Seems adoption was a much different process around that time... !
Makes it much more difficult, almost seems impossible but wondering if anyone else has been through anything similar?
FTMF30 · 14/02/2021 20:42
You've posted on an ideal topic thread but perhaps you could post on the adoption thread as some people might have some knowledge there.
ThatsMe123 · 15/02/2021 00:23
Ancestry DNA is the biggest one: I think 18 million DNA customers. 23andMe are second biggest with 12 million. Both with vast majority of customers in US.
I have found 23andMe's ancestry report very accurate for SE Asian ancestry, particularly since their last updates.
Hopefully you'll have some matches they are not too distant.
RickiTarr · 15/02/2021 00:26
It sounds as though what you really need is an adoption consultant in Malaysia, with knowledge of the processes m the eighties. There might be agency or orphanage records or someone who remembers your adoptive parents and could point you in the right direction. Do you have much budget?
Peoniesandcats · 15/02/2021 08:53
Thanks all, no real budget for this. Maybe I'll try 23andme as a start then consider a consultant later down the line. Will have a read through the other similar forums too.
yeOldeTrout · 15/02/2021 08:57
Are your parents still alive?
Your parents must have some memories about who the agency were or how they got the official paperwork to make the adoption legal, where they met you, etc. Start with that info and tracing who kept what records in Malaysia.
Friend was adopted in Vietnam about 1975 & never got far with tracing relatives, but that was a crazy time & place.
Buttonbob · 15/02/2021 09:07
I’d recommend testing with 23andme as they don’t accept uploads. If you’ve already tested with Ancestry, you can download your dna and upload to Living DNA, My Heritage and Family Tree DNA. I’d advise joining some Facebook groups if you haven’t done so already. There’s search squad, dna detectives, genealogy squad, to name just three. I agree though that I think you you’re likely to get further by trying to obtain records. It might be worth asking family/family friends to see what they remember. And is there definitely no paperwork? Nothing shoved in a box somewhere? Any memory or scrap of paper could hold valuable information . I really really hope you find what you’re looking for.
SavoyCabbage · 15/02/2021 09:41
I'd start with good old google and Facebook. There is a documentary about baby selling/adoption for example that I remember watching when I was living in Australia. There must be websites and support groups for people in similar situations as your own.
I'd also speak to any family and friends who might be able to remember any details about what happened at the time.
Do your parents have Malaysian heritage?
ThatsMe123 · 15/02/2021 15:26
If you are on Facebook Id also recommend joining dna detectives. This group was started by genetic genealogist Cece Moore and its members help others find their family through dna. This would require some reasonably strong matches though, so i really hope you'll get some.
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