DNAngels is a nonprofit search angel organization dedicated to the assistance of individuals seeking to identify their biological parent(s) using DNA interpretation , mapping and extensive research. For clients struggling with news of a Non-Paternal Event (NPE, also referred to as Not Parent Expected), donor conception or adoption, they offer support and fellowship in a private online group. Services to help identify birth parents come at no cost to you. Other relatives may require a fee. You must test with AncestryDNA for DNAngels to be able to help you. 

The CVGS Monthly Meeting this May brought us a book suggestion from presenter Kate Penny Howard, who covered “Adoption and DNA.” Howard presented search methods that can help identify biological relatives. A book was mentioned that tells the history of the women who surrendered children for adoption due to societal pressures common after WWII to the Roe v. Wade decision: “The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade” by Ann Fessler.

The Digital Library of Appalachia at www.dla.acaweb.org allows us to access archival and historical materials related to the culture of the southern and central Appalachian region. Be sure to pull the drawers and look into these special collections from the Appalachian College Association member libraries.