“In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity.”
Erik Erikson & Joan Serson (Identity: Youth and Crisis, 1968:130)
Right to know your origins
Article 7 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) grants every child, as far as possible, the right to know their (biological) parents. Amendments and extensions to the UNCRC concerning adoption further highlight a growing recognition of the urgent need for individuals to know their own parentage.
In many countries, this need has gained increasing legal attention, particularly for donor-conceived individuals, adoptees, children of soldiers, stolen children, and those affected by NPE.
Reclaiming a true identity
In many societies, a person's identity is deeply tied to their ancestry, as recorded in family trees, birth records, and other genealogical documents.
We believe that falsified or missing genealogical records distort the information people rely on to shape their sense of identity or deprive them of that knowledge altogether.
Is it acceptable for societies that define identity through ancestry to pass down distortions and erasures to future generations? We believe this is unethical and are committed to helping piece together the truth.
A deeply human longing
The desire to know one’s biological or genetic parents appears to be deeply ingrained in people, regardless of gender, socio-economic background, or age—whether they begin their search at 16 or 86.
For many, not knowing their own roots can be an immense psychological burden.
Unravel the mystery of your ancestry
Whether you are an adoptee (legally or illegally), a foundling (e.g., placed in a baby hatch), a donor-conceived individual, an NPE individual (e.g., someone who was falsely led to believe a certain person was their biological parent), the child of a soldier (e.g., with a GI father or a Wehrmacht father), or a child stolen under a dictatorship (e.g., Nazi Germany, the GDR, or Francoist Spain) seeking to unravel the mystery of your life – we are here to support you.
With information, genetic genealogy analysis, workshops and empathy, we work with you to help discover your roots.

Search
Every search is unique. However, different groups of individuals searching for their origins often face similar challenges. Donor-conceived individuals may have ties to the clinic where they were conceived. NPE individuals sometimes struggle with the stigma of their parents' past. Adoptees often navigate complex legal regulations. Where are you in your search? What challenges are you facing? You are not alone—chances are, we can help.

Our services
The specifics of your case determine our approach. Do you need a DNA test? If so, which test is most appropriate for your case? How does a family search work, and what does the investigation involve? Learn more about the services we offer.

Your detective
To search for your roots, you need patience, perseverance, a supportive network—and a detective by your side who brings both personal and professional experience, along with empathy and expertise. Meet the founder of the Investigative Bureau for Genetic Genealogy and Family Search, who will guide you on your journey.
Contact the Investigative Bureau for Genetic Genealogy and Family Search: Access our contact form here