David Lewin wrote: I am in correspondence with a woman born 1953, who
suspects that her mother did not give birth to her, and is asking for help
to find her birth parents.

David - as you rightly point out, in the first instance your correspondent
needs to clinically prove that she is not her registered mother's daughter.
The simple process would be for both parties to have an mtDNA test - and if
they were significantly different then that would prove the first part of
her case. However, clearly this is not a simple question of each party
agreeing to and then having the appropriate definitive test!

===

Just to add one comment.

Ideally the woman would test with her registered mother to find out if
they are biological mother and daughter. However, if that's not possible
due to a strained relationship, an autosomal test with any other close
relative - a sibling, aunt or uncle, or a first cousin, may be sufficient.
It will tell her with a good degree of confidence whether she is
biologically part of the family. Hopefully there is at least one such
relative who is willing to help.

Elan Caspi
Belmont, CA

David Lewin wrote: I am in correspondence with a woman born 1953, who
suspects that her mother did not give birth to her, and is asking for help
to find her birth parents.

David - as you rightly point out, in the first instance your correspondent
needs to clinically prove that she is not her registered mother's daughter.
The simple process would be for both parties to have an mtDNA test - and if
they were significantly different then that would prove the first part of
her case. However, clearly this is not a simple question of each party
agreeing to and then having the appropriate definitive test!

I would suggest that before any thought of seeking a DNA solution or 'going
to law' are attempted, the issues need to be explored via a reputable
specialist agency, such as the UK agency After Adoption
(http://www.afteradoption.org.uk/), which provides adoption support and
family finding services and will be familiar with such cases.

Martin Davis
London (UK)

David-

There are DNA companies that focus on testing of parentage, however,
an autosomal test such as FTDNA's Family Finder or 23andme's Relative
Finder would be conclusive in confirming parentage as well (maternal
or paternal).

An Mt-dna test would also show whether someone else is a close
maternal line relative, but I don't think it would be as conclusive
in showing whether someone was say, a mother vs. sister or maternal
aunt, etc.

For the autosomal test, it would be very evident >from the amount of
DNA shared with a particular woman whether she was your mother or not
(or anyone else and their mother,speaking broadly).

However, I think it might be prudent to discuss this with an attorney
in your country (or wherever the friend is) , to find out what
constitutes proof, etc in a legal issue such as this one.

The trick of course is going to be getting her (the mother's) DNA if
your friend is in a legal battle with her (you need a good sample

from the puttative child and parent)!

Steve Bloom
Central Virginia, USA

I would love your guidance please.

I am in correspondence with a woman born 1953, who suspects that her
mother did not give birth to her, and is asking for help to find her
birth parents.

She is seriously thinking of taking legal action against members of
her hitherto family for wrongful deeds in the past, and I feel she
must have DNA testing to both prove that she is not her mother's
daughter and perhaps point the direction to her birth parentage.