I could not have done this without your help
What can I say? Learning in my adult life that I was adopted was a huge shock. After accepting the news, I went on a search to find my biological father. I took a few DNA tests and looked into getting a search angel. I was connected with a search angel (Greg P.) who took on my case. I was excited to hear from him. He worked diligently to find answers for me. He asked questions to learn more about my situation and I felt like he was just as invested as I was. It did not take him long to find my answers. He gave me all the resources I would need to contact my biological family and different was to approach them. I met my family and it was a great reunion. Thank you! I could not have done this without your help.
-Amber I.
couldn't have done this without YOUR help
Words can't express how it's been to finally contact Justin's mom and to realize that she wanted the best for him. You can tell she truly loves him and wanted him to have a good home, which she couldn't have given him at the time of his adoption. We just want to give you all and especially Sally, our search angel, a BIG thank you!! We couldn't have done this without her help! Thanks again
-Justin and Kristi Schmidt
appreciative of the service I received
I had been looking for my birth father for over 20 years, and Sally found him within a few hours! She is thorough, professional, kind, and personable. I can't say enough positive things about her. Thank you for the service you provide with your organization. It has been life-changing for many. I am so appreciative of the service I received.
-Mel Howton
Compassion and Skill
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have been true angels to have helped me find my lost family. With your kind help, I have had the best possible experience in finding and connecting with a family I never knew. I want to express my gratitude and amazement at your compassion and skills. I am forever in your debt!
-Randy Beth and Jason
Good Advise and Professionalism
Thank you, Joel and Search Angels!! My Search Angel, Jonathan, was wonderful. He found my adopted son's birth father so quickly. He was professional and gave me such good advice along the way. I can never thank Jonathan or your organization enough for all that you have done.
-Susan Silvey
Another Fast Conclusion
My designated Search Angel, Sally, has helped me tremendously! She found out who my birth mom was in less than a week and did some amazing work on my family tree. The Search made me feel complete, and I could not have found my birth mom without my Angel, Sally!
-Sherri B
It is never too late to learn of your past
Finding out you were adopted at 66 years old is a major shock. Both my adopted parents have passed. After I got my DNA results, I contacted my aunt, who confirmed that I had, in fact, been adopted. I wanted to thank you for your service and wonderful volunteers. I have been doing family history since I was a teenager, but had no real clue how to quite start looking for my family. Sally jumped right into the mix, and within a couple of days, she had names of my biological parents and other family members. I was amazed. When I did the DNA test, I was still not quite sure why I might really need it. Well, I now understand it's worth. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the work you do and for the help Sally gave me. She went above and beyond. Again, thank you so much for your company, and all your team does!
-Tery Schantzen
Days instead of Months
Sally was my Search Angel. She found my birth mother and two half-sisters in three days, which was unbelievable. I thought it would take months. She also helped locate my half-sisters through Facebook as my birth mother passed away back in 2004. I can not say enough good things about Sally. She is so kind, knowledgeable and such a hard worker. I have been trying to find my birth family for 20 years but knew it would not be possible without a DNA match. Thank you for offering this wonderful service for adoptees.
-Jamie Stovall
Family History Back to the 1700s
I wanted to send a donation to express my gratitude. Carey was my search angel and did an amazing job researching my grandfather's lineage. She was able to determine who my grandfather's parents were and a family history dating back to the 1700s. I can't begin to thank her enough for all of the time and effort she put into this. Your organization is amazing, and I would highly recommend it to anyone searching for a loved one
-Susan Rosati
Like Father, Like Son
Thank you again for all your time and expertise in helping me find my grandfather. You were wonderful to explain the process in detail and made it easy to ask you questions anytime. I am so grateful to you for helping me solve this mystery. My only regret now is that I didn't get to tell my father that even though his adoptive parents named him after a WWII family war hero, he actually had a biological father that was a war hero too! Thank you again!
-Nancy
found a wholeness that I had been seeking for many years!
Good Morning Jason and Beth, I hope this e-mail finds you both well. First I would like to say to you both just how grateful I am!! Words can’t even come close to express the overwhelming gratitude I have in my heart!! I still can’t believe after all these years, I can finally have closure. You both are truly ANGELS for all the time and continued effort that was put into all of this. Through this I have found a wholeness that I had been seeking for many years! Both of you were so gracious and kind during the entire journey. Jamie, (my new baby sister) and I have discovered that Jim R. was a very busy man and have been researching in hopes of finding additional siblings. It’s possible that there were two older siblings (possibly born around 1950) that may have been put into a convalescent home. There are SO many unanswered questions he left us with, however now we can continue this journey together. There is SO much more to discover!!
Update: My husband and our twin ten year olds will be going to Tucson, AZ in the second week of December to meet my two baby sisters, Jamie and Kayte :-). Jamie and I have already created a bond as sisters through our endless conversations. It’s incredible to put all the lost pieces together!! Again, thank you Beth and Jason for all of you hard work!!
~ Forever Grateful, d’Arcey Figueroa
exemplary example of an excellent researcher
Dear Joel; I recently utilized your company’s services through a genealogist named Elizabeth M., I was utterly amazed at her speed, accuracy and ability to develop and create a family tree that would establish my family history. She discovered important information regarding my birth mother and father and this allowed me to place closure on my past and to determine if I would move forward with new relationships. She was very professional and communicated her findings, frequently. We developed a trusting relationship and I feel as if I have made a new friend. Elizabeth is an exemplary example of an excellent researcher and is an asset to your organization. She deserves recognition.
Cordially, Tim Rodden
Finding out about my family means so very much to me
I wanted to let you know how great it was to work with Sally. I have wondered all my life about my real family. I did not know how to start looking. Somehow I came across Search Angels which got me to Sally.
Sally was so professional and friendly! And she was able to identify what we believe are my mother and father based on DNA and elimination. And she built a wonderful family tree for me.
I now can take that information and try to contact a few people in my real family to find out more about the family and my mother. I want to say a great big thanks to Sally and Search Angels for helping me. I most likely would not have gotten this far in my search. Finding out about my family means so very much to me.
Thanks so very much!
~ Kathleen Duda
Blessings to all of you
I want to thank you and your service of Search Angels. It was a wonderful thing you have done to take this case. One of your volunteers, Meghan Ritter, was kind, cordial, efficient and effective in her research and correspondence . I would never have been able to overcome the '“family knowing this or that syndrome" which was previously way off base before working with you all. I am in contact with my half-sister now! She had been researching for me and now is taking a DNA test that will provide even more information. Blessings to all of you and especially Meghan for her knowledge of DNA research.
~ Teresa Durfee
One of our many angels
I would like to take a minute and offer an endorsement for Jeneen McHugh, who is the Search Angel that invested her time and skill to help me find the answers to my Ancestry for which I have been searching most of my life. I am an adoptee, and for decades I could not identify my biological father. In less than a day she found him, and had scientific evidence to support her discovery.
Besides being skillful, she is also professional and handled my search with empathy. She explained the historical questions, what to expect, how to use the technology, and any other questions that I had.
I would highly recommend her to help others with their genealogy searches.
Thank you, Jeneen for all your help.
~ Jerry Cockrell
I will be ever grateful
I just wanted to tell you how helpful my angel Sally was in finding out who my biological father was. She jumped in with both feet and organized a family tree with my new information. She found information that I couldn't have, helped me write messages to cousins and managed to find my father. Search Angels is a great organization. I will be ever grateful for her help. Thanks so very much.
~ Jane B.
changed my life, and I am forever grateful
I had high hopes and low expectations because it has been fifty-five years since my adoption, and thirty-five years of dead ends and no leads.
That changed when I was matched with Risa, my Angel, with Search Angels. What a warm, loving, determined woman. She took the DNA and ran with it. I couldn’t keep up with the speed at which she placed each puzzle piece into the DNA puzzle and revealed to me a family with welcoming arms and open hearts.
She found my Birth Father.
With that joy came brothers, sisters, aunts, and cousins. A family spread far and wide, but closer than close.
She changed my life, and I am forever grateful for her persistence, knowledge and encouragement. She is an honorary “Evans”, another branch on our tree.”
~ Heather Harris
Finally serious about searching and was Supported all along this journey
I owe Dwight Brooks more than I could ever possibly give. He changed my life for the better in so many wonderful ways.
Here is my story. I was adopted at birth in a closed, sealed adoption. My adoptive parents were very open and honest about my adoption and shared what little information they had, which was a handwritten note with basic non-identifying information about my biological parents and grandparents. I grew up in a comfortable home and knew I was wanted and loved. Growing up, I wondered what my biological parents looked like. I did not think much about trying to look for them though. As a child, teenager and young adult it seemed like an impossible task. When I did think about my biological parents, I thought that it must have been the toughest decision of their lives to give me up. When I was born my biological parents were young and not married. If they were not together, who knew if they told anyone about me? I didn't want to disrupt their lives.
When I had a child of my own I revisited the idea of looking for my biological parents. It was much more real to me the sacrifice they had made. The internet was pretty new at the time though, and it seemed like a daunting task with a small child, so I let it go. I thought that if they looked for me I would be okay with that, but still felt it was better not to interfere in their lives.
Many years later, when my adoptive father passed away and I was cleaning out his house, I came across some paperwork I had never seen before from a lawyer involved in my adoption. I don't know why, but this is what finally made me ready to seriously start searching for my biological parents. After having done DNA tests, lots of internet searching, filling out multiple adoption registries and writing for my official non-identifying information and still hitting dead ends I found Search Angels. Upon providing my information, I heard from Dwight, my Search Angel within a few hours. I provided him with the information requested and did not expect to hear anything right away. Dwight contacted me within 24 hours and had found my biological parents! Truly amazing! This was very exciting news but unfortunately, it did come with some disappointment. Dwight shared the heartbreaking news that my biological mother had passed away the year before. More sad news came quickly regarding my biological father. He passed away within a few days of my receiving this information. I was never to meet my biological parents. I had considered this possibility when I started searching for them since I was not looking for my biological parents until 50 years later. Dwight was very thoughtful and kind in the way he provided this information and helping me through it. The good news was that I had first cousins and half-siblings that I could attempt to contact. Dwight was extremely helpful in that regard. Very helpful as well with explaining my family tree and how I was related to everyone. So much information I never had before! So incredibly sad that I would never meet my biological parents, but so hopeful I could make a connection with extended family, and I did! I have not made any connections on my biological father's side of the family yet, but maybe someday. However, I have made connections on my biological mother's side of the family. I first contacted my first cousins and uncle through email. They all called me the same day I sent the email. We all met for a long weekend a few months later after having emailed, texted, and skyped in the interim. It was wonderful! My cousins and uncle shared many stories about my biological mother, photos and home movies. They also gave me many of her personal items that they thought she would like for me to have. I learned so much about her and got to know all of them and their families. They welcomed me with open arms. It was amazing how quickly any awkward moments passed and I felt I had been a part of the family for years. I felt I belonged to a part of something I hadn't known was missing. They had been helping my biological mother try to find me for over 20 years.
My new found family had many questions about my life and family as well. It was such a special time of sharing and a wonderful homecoming. I was invited to a family wedding several months later and met even more extended family. It had been planned before they even met me to spread my biological mother's ashes when they were together for this wedding. I was asked to spread my mother's ashes on her mother's (my grandmother's) grave. A very moving and meaningful experience for me. A connection I never thought possible. I feel so blessed to have found this wonderful family I didn't know I had. We are in communication regularly and always looking to plan our next get together.
Again I would like to say how thankful I am for Dwight Brooks and Search Angels. My reunion would not have been possible without them. It says on Dwight's profile that he enjoys hearing reunion stories and I have definitely found that to be true. He has been supportive all along this journey for me and I will be forever grateful.
Thank you, Dwight!
~ Susan
Their detective skills are amazing
Words cannot truly express how grateful I am for the Search Angel organization. For over 30 years I’ve been wanting to unlock my mystery, but without a last name, and having been born in Manhattan, NY I didn’t have much hope. Over the years I’ve looked on the internet for any hint of information, I signed up on the state’s mutual consent registry and I left a letter in my file, but nothing ever came of it. I heard from some adopted friends that taking a DNA test gave them the ability to find their biological families. Then I began listening to podcasts about adoption reunions and reading books, articles and anything I could find that might help me figure out a plan. I also didn’t want to disrupt any lives, so this was a decision I did not take lightly. In my research, I heard about the Search Angels network and decided to look it up. It seemed like a reasonable avenue to pursue, but I still had no real hope of ever finding out my information. I mailed out my DNA kit, registered for a Search Angel and within six weeks I’ve found out my maternal biological family’s information!
Jason and Beth have been amazing. Their detective skills are amazing. Two days after sharing my DNA results with them, they found who they thought my mother could be! I spoke with my half sister two days ago and we feel that this is a match. Not only have they provided me information, but their moral support in this search has been unbelievable. They have advised me, listened to my thoughts and emotions, and provided perspectives of everyone involved through their prior experiences. I will be eternally grateful for all of their guidance and support.
My older brother was also adopted and he said he is now thinking of searching as well. I would definitely recommend that he use a Search Angel. This organization is wonderful and is providing hope to those of us who thought we had none. Thank you for all that you are doing.
- Colleen
so happy to have found each other
I just want to thank your organization and my search angels, Jason and Beth for changing my life and helping me on my journey to find my birth family. It was luck and timing that I found search angels. I am a nurse and was passing by a patient who was talking how search angels helped her find her birth family. I stopped and said I was also adopted and maybe they could help me. I then contacted the organization with no expectations. Promptly, I was contacted by Jason and Beth. I was surprised that they had contacted me so soon and a little nervous that this was actually happening. After all these years, I was really doing this. Within two days which was on Mother’s Day, they had connected me with my half brother and said they found my biological mother who we share. After thinking about this for years and attempting to start the search myself, through Ancestry, they found my answers in two days.
Jason and Beth reached out to my half brother and he contacted me before I even had a chance to contact him. My half brother had grown up as an only child and always wanted to have a sibling. He never knew he had a sister out there. We are so happy to have found each other and now talk all the time. It’s amazing our connection. I am forever grateful. I have not spoken to my birth mother yet. She does not know we have found each other. But with the help of my new brother, it will happen. We are still on the journey to find my birth father, but with the support and dedication from Jason and Beth, I know I will find my answers.
This has been a life changing experience. For an adoptee, who has always wondered, Jason and Beth’s support and guidance has helped me to find answers that I never thought were possible.
Before this process, a psychic said to me that an angel from my mother’s side was going to come to me. Little did I know that Jason and Beth would be those angels. I am forever thankful.
~Mindy
Forever grateful
I will be 56 in August. As an adoptee, I never, ever thought about pursuing my birth family until recently. My birth mother was an educated woman and 30 when I was born. She worked hard to make sure no one knew I existed and I felt I needed to respect that.
A desire to let her know she had done the right thing by giving me up and that I was ok led me to complete a DNA test in November of 2018; much to my surprise, I discovered a half-sibling who had also been adopted! He had our birth mother’s name but neither of us had the time or expertise to confirm that this woman was actually our birth mother. That is where our Search Angel, Valorie, came in. Valorie traced the DNA connections, completed document searches and identified potential relatives for us to contact. She suggested wording we could use in reaching out to cousins and we were able to not only confirm our birth mother, but connect with a family that embraced us!
Valorie was also able to identify our respective birth fathers. Within 6 months time, my new brother and I had confirmed our birth parents, connected with siblings and now feel a sense of identity and peace we did not know before.
Even though our birth parents passed before we began our journey, we think they are pleased we have found each other and know who they were. Our Search Angel Valorie worked with us....we were and are a team and we are forever grateful for her support and effort I helping us find our past!
~ Carol McCarville
Your organization is doing amazing things
I just wanted to share how amazing Blair our search angel was in finding my mother's biological mother and father. It was a difficult case as my mother was born in a small town in 1954. Blair was such a kind, thorough, wonderful person to spend her time doing this for us. I began to look forward to talking with her every week and solving the mystery along with her. Your organization is doing amazing things and it's aptly named because you all are truly angels.
Thank you again so much for this. It's given us some answers to things we've wondered about for decades. Many more questions follow but Blair gave us a foundation to continue the search for answers and more info.
~ April Burgener and Judy Shirley
exactly what I needed, no judgement
I had the absolute pleasure of using your services. Blair was assigned to my case and she is brilliant. She was kind and patient. My story is a hard one. With very little DNA matches on my dad's side she was able to use her investigative skills to find him. I am forever grateful for Blair. She was exactly what I needed, no judgement. I have always been ashamed of my story but she really made me feel like a human. I can not begin to thank her and search angels enough!!
~ Jennifer V.
simply amazing!!!
Just wanted to say thanks to Search Angels and especially to Roxana who was assigned to my search. I found out I was adopted just before my 55th birthday which was quite the shock. After taking a DNA test I had matches to follow up with but just could not put the pieces together. Roxana dug into my case and within a week had found my birth parents. Simply amazing !!! I have been able to talk with new family and we are going to get together in the near future. Again a huge thanks to Search Angels and especially Roxana for her successful efforts on my behalf. I would highly recommend Search Angels and their team !!
~ Wade from Louisville, KY
Blown away by your search angels
I am blown away by Blair! She found, not only my Grandparents, but my great grands and great, great grands. And my mother was adopted and there were no clues, to my feeble mind to act on. It was fun working with her and seeing the energy she put into the research and the way she approached the conundrum! I am only sorry that we have completed this journey! I would recommend her to anyone seeking to find their family.
~Grace
paths crossed a million different ways and yet, we never knew
I had known from an early age I was adopted and when I turned 18 I obtained my non-identifying information from the adoption agency in NY. At that time, 1995 or so, the internet was just beginning, and DNA tests were not the norm. Once the internet took off, I did the only thing that made sense at the time and registered on every adoption registry available and hoped that someone would recognize my entry, among the thousand others.
Then for my birthday in 2015 I decided to treat myself to an ancestry DNA test to once and for all figure out my ethnicity. I did not have many matches and those I matched with were mostly ‘distant’ cousins. I would obsessively check for a period of time and then quickly forgot about it. Last year, in June 2017, I randomly decided to log in again, and saw there was a message from a 3rd cousin, and she was curious how we were related and offered up her parents last names. That was the first big break I had. I googled the last names and the town I was born, and a slew of information came up. Through obituaries I gained so much information and within a week I had discovered that the family I was related to was HUGE and complicated.
Two months later, I had a closer match come through on ancestry and I emailed him hoping that he would answer. He did and confirmed my research thus far and offered his help in narrowing down ‘suspects’ as we called them. As the holidays approached I was able to decipher who my birthmother was as her family was not complicated, however I learned that she had passed away in 1999.
The birthfather’s family was the complication. In January, after going in a circle, I reached out to Joel because I felt I needed a new set of eyes to look at the DNA and interpret it. There was a lot of overlapping of DNA due to intermarriage between cousins long ago, and the family also recycled names and it was difficult for me to discern the actual relationships I had with my matches.
Joel was able to build out a tree for me in the matter of hours on ancestry (I couldn’t understand the instructions on how to build a mirror tree) and now all the information I had provided him was laid out before me in a more manageable view. I also had connected with a few more matches and would report back to Joel their thoughts and he would adjust the tree accordingly.
In May, I had a major break and one of my connections called me and said he thought he found my birth father. I met him two days later. The story is unbelievable. For the past 30 years or so, we have lived 2.3 miles away from each other (literally lives at the end of my road). Our paths have crossed a million different way and yet, we never knew. He never knew my birthmother was pregnant, so this was a surprise 41 years later.
Yesterday, the ancestry results came back, and he is my birth father. I cannot express the gratitude I feel to all who have helped me figure this out. Joel and his organization were responsive to each and every email, even if it was just about how frustrated I was about the circle I felt I was stuck in. I would recommend enlisting searchangels.org as they are the real deal, and not a scam. I am excited about building new relationships and will always be grateful I came across this wonderful website.
-Lisa
An impossible case, with only DNA to guide our Search
I want to thank the Search Angels Joel and Dwight. Joel worked for over a year with no luck even with close matches. They wouldn’t talk are even answer my email, we had about given up when Dwight offered to look at my case. I think having the new set of eyes made all the difference. The way they worked together was amazing. Dwight was able to pick up where Joel left off and find my birth father in just two days. I was shocked, to say the least when I received his email. Of course, my birth father died in 2001. At least I know who he is.
My search began when I was 18 for the name on my birth certificate, I’m 73 now. I found him in prison in Nebraska where he had been off and on most of his life. Mother let me believe he was my father until she was dying of cancer. She seemed sincere in trying to remember but I could tell she was struggling. Given that when she told me she wanted to give me a better father and named her first husband, I doubted it. However, I met the family and they excepted me.
Over the years I had asked questions and mother gave me answers. Questions like why he doesn’t come to see me, etc. Other times when she’d be mad at me she’d make statements that I never forgot. I still needed answers, since I’d done genealogy for years and belonged to ancestry I bought a DNA test. The results proved neither of those men were my father. Not only that but I was 56% Scandinavian. The whole family was shocked, so I had nowhere to turn for answers. If you’ve ever tried to trace ancestors in that ethnic group, you know how difficult that is. As it turned out my birth father lived all the way across the country from my mother. It was wartime and he was in the military so I’m checking that link out.
I still want to know where they and how they met. I have talked to a ½ sister that is trying to help me figure that part out. She has sent me a lot of pictures and she’s building a tree on Ancestry. She also ordered her dad’s military records. I’m certain I’ve found my family this time. A first cousin contacted her, a cousin that wouldn’t answer my messages for so long and was upset when I called her. I’m told the cousin is over that now. After Dwight found her phone number and I called, she contacted the sister. I have other close matches that fit this family so although they’re not crazy about doing a DNA test to help me I think matching the child of one of the siblings is enough.
Joel and Dwight, I can’t thank you enough. Dwight, you really amazed me. I’m still not sure how you found that link, but I certainly appreciate the work that you did. It’s such a relief to finally feel like your home and not searching anymore.
Thank you,
Barbara
gratitude for your organization
Reaching out to show my appreciation and gratitude for your organization. I stumbled upon Search Angels less than two weeks ago. Ann Ru became my search angel to look for my birth parents. I swear I got the best in the business. She is amazing! She is wonderful to talk to, sensitive to my needs, and diligent. She found both my parents in a matter of ten days. I am amazed beyond words.
Ann is praised for her hard work! She should get commended! I can’t thank her enough for piecing together my past.
Best regards,
Eric
Thankful to have stumbled upon search angels
Dwight,
I just wanted to say that you for all of your assistance in piecing together my family tree. I am delighted to say four days after submitting my Search Angel request, and a mere two days after you had the data, my birth family was located and we are in communication. They knew of my existence, but had no personal data details, so “breaking the news” was easy, in my case.
I’m thankful to have stumbled upon Joel at Search Angels, and also thankful to have had your expertise behind my search.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Warmest regards,
Monica Watson
Words cannot express
Words cannot express enough thanks to Search Angels and the help of Lisa Freeman in finding my birth parents. Lisa was an absolute jewel to work with and made my dream come true at age fifty-one. This proves to never give up hope in locating the identity of your loved ones. Thanks again for all your help and in such a short amount of time. God Bless each and every one of you who volunteer at this great organization.
- Adryn
Some searches conclude in days
Joel Chambers with Search Angels was an immense help, who quickly and efficiently found numerous biological family members for me. I am adopted, and after recently learning that I had a younger biological half-sister (through commercial DNA testing), I reached out to Search Angels, providing the minimal amount of birth history I had to go off of, and was astounded at how much Joel was able to find for me, in a matter of days. It was truly remarkable, and I am so grateful he was able to find all that he did. I went from knowing virtually nothing about my biological family to seeing an entire family tree that he had created on my behalf through his tireless searching. After taking the information he was able to find, and supplementing his search through social media, I found, got in touch with, and met, several biological family members, and the experience has been nothing short of amazing. I am so grateful to Joel and the Search Angels organization for all that they do to assist adoptees like myself with finding their biological roots. Thank you SO very much!
~Amber
Mystery Grandmother and Adopted Cousin
We are thrilled to report a happy ending to our search due to the help of Search Angels. And ours was a complex problem. We began with a new DNA cousin to my aunt, and the cousin's non-identifiable clues from her closed adoption at her birth. However, the connection to my aunt was through her mother who had hidden her true identity. After searching for over 45 years for my aunt's mother (my grandmother), we had no idea of how to help the new DNA cousin who wanted to know her birth identity. However, once we used Search Angels and then combined that with our knowledge of genealogy, we all found the answers we've wanted.
We have been searching for the identity of my grandmother since 1968. Knowing the outcome, I can honestly say that without DNA help of the Search Angels, even with my expertise in genealogy, we never would have found her without their help. I would highly recommend Search Angels to anyone searching. More and more people are taking DNA tests, the likelihood of finding matches gets better all the time! Search Angels can be trusted with your family information. Their only goal is to help you find your birth family and they're good at what they do.
My new cousin also found her birth father and is now in touch with members of that family who send us copies of letters, photos and diary entries daily.
We are so grateful to Joel and his tireless work on our behalf. What an amazing group of people.
~Jan Johnson
traditional search with a happy outcome
Normally we work with adoptees who have a lack of information related to their birth family. In the case with a gentleman named Doug, there was a substantial amount of clues to work from. Plus some identifying information from his State of birth. However, even with that in hand he and his wife were unable to really trace their birth mother, who was identified in their information, from being found in the modern day. This is actually not that unusual, as birth mother's often get married and change their names; sometimes more than once. With a bit of effort we were able to locate her present day name and location. Recently we heard back from Doug and his wife.
My husband just came back from Florida where his biological mother and sisters are, he met two out of three sisters. He also met his nieces and nephews and his mother is planning on coming to out to see us sometime soon to meet me and her granddaughter. His birth mother is so grateful that you helped us find her. This is a great service you provide. God bless.
~Margaret Miller
birth father search and happy conclusion
To any of those out there who are searching, longing for answers or just needing clarity and closure Joel Chambers with Search Angels is the one you need by your side! When I contacted Joel he was clear about what I could expect, and what he could help me with. I knew in my heart that he would find the missing piece of my puzzle, And he did. Today I’m happy, Over the moon in fact to say that Joel helped me find my biological father! And the process did not take very long at all! The best part is my bio dad is thrilled to know of me as he had no clue I was even born. We have plans to meet face to face this month. So if your someone like me whose adopted and needing answers allow Joel with Search Angels to give you a helping hand. Be patient and allow the puzzle to fall into place. He knows what he is doing! Joel was timely in getting back to me answering any and all of my questions and most of all he did not waste my time. As he has empathy and realizes time is of the essence. I’m forever grateful and would recommend this method along with Ancestry DNA to help you find your long lost family!
~Bettina Masci
Search for paternal grandfather
With nothing more than a few close DNA contacts on my father's side to go on for clues, Joel was able to locate my paternal grandfather in just one weeks time. My father never knew the name of his birth father or had any information provided to him about who it may be. Joel responded to the online form request in less than 24 hours and began working diligently on solving a mystery that has lingered for nearly 60 years. Often times, Joel would contact me at late hours, as he would continue to work on the case around the clock. From the results Joel was able to so quickly obtain, I was able to understand more about the Jewish ethnicity that showed up in my DNA test and I am now able to teach my children more about their history and heritage. Joel puts the angel in search angel!
-Stephanie Jones
spring 2017 reunion
Joel, I really can't thank you enough. As soon as my mother received my letter she responded immediately. We have been enjoying sharing pictures and getting to know each other and are planning to meet in person in the near future. I slept so soundly the night I received her reply and learned how happy she was to be found. All is right with the world.
I wanted to take a moment to thank Joel for all of his efforts with helping me locate my birth mother. Through AncestryDNA and 23andMe I was able to locate a first cousin on my father’s side and I was able to reunite with him. The search for my mother, however, was not nearly as easy. Without knowing her maiden name I did not even know where to begin to piece together the distant relatives that were identified through DNA testing. The state that I was born in does not allow access to original birth certificates, and my non-identifying information from the state is just that, non-identifying (and I’ve since come to learn it was also inaccurate). Joel took a completely different approach than any that I’d used in all my years of searching. He was able to build out my family tree and narrow down her possible maiden names. Ultimately we did learn her maiden name and I was able to locate her. She is thrilled that I found her. We are in touch daily and making plans to meet in person. I learned that I have a half sister and brother, and my sister had also been looking for me! I am so glad that I didn’t give up the search after hitting so many brick walls. Joel, I can’t thank you enough for all of your time and effort spent helping me.
DM
A common name with uncommon results
I had begun my search for my birth parents nearly 25 yrs ago but beyond sending in a release form was not able to make any progress. In 2010 I began a more diligent search by actually hiring an individual to help. That search yielded a successful reunion with my birth father in 2011. However, because of the commonness of my birth mom’s name that investigator didn’t even attempt it. I tried on my own to find her since then but other than finding her picture in a high school year book I couldn’t find anything, or went down wrong trails. When my daughter had an Ancestry DNA test my desire was peaked. I tried checking with an organization that did searches but they wanted $900 to find her and I wasn’t ready to pay that.
I contacted Search Angels and within 3 days of receiving my information Joel had found my birth mother. It took several more days to ensure all the links were there. We had non-identifying information I could compare against the other relatives and everything matched. In another week we were confident we had found her and her brother. Unfortunately, my birth mom died over 40 yrs ago but I did have a successful reunion with her brother.
An unanticipated benefit Joel provided was a family tree for both my birth parents that goes back 250 yrs. I was blown away. I couldn’t believe how fast Joel was finding connections. My prior searcher in 2011 left me high and dry and just abandoned contact, but Joel was there every step of the way, answered my questions and did all the heavy lifting in the background. He and his colleagues are phenomenal. I couldn’t be happier with the results from Joel and his team.
Thanks Joel,
Dave T
Traditional Genealogy takes a turn
Robert had performed a DNA test, but was unable to substantiate his paternal side of his search for his father's family. His father had circulated a story about where he came from before he married. However, none of his children knew exactly where he started. When we reached out to Robert we fully expected to find his father's family with parents that would align with his own. Instead we found a father who had changed his name from those of his first family. It is still a mystery as to why the father hid this family from everyone his whole life, but at long last the truth appears to been substantiated by many other genetically related cousins; fifty plus at last count.
Thank you so much Joel, now I have something I can pass on to my children, grand children and great-grand children.
Thanks again,
Robert C. H.
Search for family concludes
Robert had performed several DNA tests, but was not sure how to capitalize on the results. We provided him with a better understanding of expectations and tips on how to go about his search on a step-by-step basis, specific to the type of DNA tests taken.
I wanted to take a moment to thank Joel for his assistance. With your guidance and reinforcement of the direction of my investigation, which eventually led me to deduce the name of my birth father along with numerous half siblings. Approximately one month after this discovery I received the results of two of my three DNA tests I submitted. This second test verified who my birth father was as well as one of my half sisters.
Thank you again for taking the time to help!
Best Regards,
Robert Alexander
adoptee finds father
Teresa had found her birth mother. However, the birth father's name was not coming up with any hits at the traditional search level. We turned to DNA testing to try and isolate which birth family she might come from. Her results came in with a very close hint. That individual only had two people on their family tree, but it was enough to unravel the mystery.
Search Angels are amazing. I was interviewing a lady for a job that had thought that her mother was dead and she somehow found Search Angels and they located her mother that was very much alive. It took me a few weeks after I interviewed her to make a move. It stayed on my mind the entire time so I finally decided "What could it hurt"? After all I had been looking for my biological father for years. Twenty nine years to be exact, so why not? I had even contacted The Locator but they never contacted me back. I was desperate. So I got in touch with Search Angels and they told me that they usually want you to get your DNA tested to make sure that you are serious about this.
The first time I contacted Search Angels on May 25, 2016. and I didn't make another move until Sept. 15, 2016. As you can see I waited again. I didn't want to be let down again with no results besides "what could they do that I couldn't do"? So I received my results on Oct. 23, 2016 and the first thing I did was email Joel with Search Angels. I gave full access to Joel and he called me and said that this was the 2nd time that this has happened to get DNA results and to have relatives this close. He stated that this process shouldn't take long. So I didn't just sit there and wait I took the names that I had and started looking too. So the next time I looked at my DNA results (which was every few seconds) I had names in place. So I decided to go to bed and try not to be so anxious (with no luck). The next morning I got up and had even more names I was so gitty inside that I couldn't stop. By Monday evening I had an entire family tree and started talking to my biological fathers family. By Tuesday evening I had a whole new family, cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers. It was the craziest thing that has ever happened and even though I am still very nervous and anxious but so amazed that it only took Joel three days to find what I have been looking for 29 years. So because of me finding my family one of my 'new' family members is looking for his brother So I will always be grateful for the help and will recommend Search Angels to everyone that has a lost or missing family member. Thank you Search Angels and a special thank you to Joel you are the greatest. I never could have found my other family without you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Sincerely, Teresa Stricklen
Birth family found
Joe had non-identifying information regarding his birth family through a request for medical background information. He was fortunate enough to have close relatives in his DNA test results, but all these individuals were first generation Italian immigrants. The genealogy required a lot of communication to earn the trust of his close cousins regarding private family tree information.
I just want to say thank you to search angels and Joel Chambers in particular for helping me discover my biological family. I can honestly say that without your help and expertise I don't think I would have gained all the knowledge and made all the connections of my families past.
Not only do I now have peace of mind knowing where I came from but I have also discovered a brother and sister I never knew I had that I look forward to contacting. Thank you again for helping track down my roots.
~Joseph Gentile
Search for birth mother concluded
April had a lot of non-identifying information regarding her birth parents. Fortunately for her many records helped to establish a unique pattern that gave rise to a clear genealogical path.
Joel found my birth mother within a couple days. I have been in contact and could not have hoped for a better outcome they have welcomed me into the family.
~April French
Adoptee finds birth parents
Kay had her non-identifying papers from her adoption agency in California. She was born in the early 60s. We were able to find her birth mother's maiden name from the CABI microfiche. Her DNA results proved to be very helpful; but also her non-ID information provided the ages of all her parents, grandparents and siblings at the time of her birth. Her combination of information made the search go unusually quick.
I reached out to search angels to help me find my birth family. After hearing stories about the pain birth parents have felt after relinquishment of their children, I felt it only responsible to reach out to them to say I turned out okay.
My DNA results came in and I was overwhelmed by the knowledge of a first cousin in my results. Joel was able to locate my birth family on my maternal side the same evening the DNA results came in. Two weeks later I had sent a letter to my birth mother and made phone contact.
Unfortunately my birth father had died in his early forties with brain cancer. It was thought it was a direct consequence of his use of agent orange during his time serving in the Air Force during Vietnam.
It must have just been meant to be, finding them both. However, I do owe search angels for their direct assistance that helped me find my birth family and suggestions on just how to try and make successful contact.
~Kay
DNA testing, Traditional search and legal wins
James patiently waiting as we worked with his DNA results to try and narrow in on his birth family. It became difficult to resolve as he had cousins who married other cousins in the distant past; which has an adverse affect of making DNA cousin matches appear much closer than they really are. Just when things were starting to look bleak James won in the courts where he was requesting the names of his birth parents through the legal options available in his state of birth.
Search angels worked diligently on my case for many months. My tree was particularly challenging because cousins had married cousins in the distant past and made it quite difficult to isolate where I could fall under.
Meanwhile I worked through the legal channels and was finally able to attain the names of both my birth parents. The problem was, finding them was not going to be easy.
Search angels worked with the names I attained and followed a paper trail to locate my birth family and relatives. With this knowledge I was able to find living relatives and expand the genealogy of my family tree.
Their dedication is much appreciated.
~James
A search to find my roots
David’s search was based on a need to know answers about his actual birth family roots. He had taken a DNA test but was challenged with taking his search further than that. Especially since he did not seem interested in making contact. So discretion took precedence over revealing himself to those who were directly related to him.
Search angels helped me find both my birth parents. While I have always wanted to know, the limit of my search was just to have the peace of mind to know where my roots began. I never reached out to my birth family, but now know a whole lot more about where I came from and what my relatives are like. This goes well beyond words and praise of the assistance I received. I can only imagine the hundreds of hours it took to build out my genealogy based on DNA test results.
~David D.