May 8, 2023
If you're feeling the crushing disappointment and heartache of repeatedly hitting dead ends in your search for biological family despite exhaustive DNA testing and genealogy research, then you are not alone!
In this episode, you will be able to:
Witness Julie's heartwarming tale of finding and reconnecting with her birth family.
Grasp the significance of genetic genealogy in uncovering one's heritage.
Examine the layered emotions and potential mental health challenges facing adoptees and their families.
Evaluate the ethical concerns tied to DNA testing and gaining consent during the search for biological kin.
Gather advice and best practices for adoptees venturing to locate their birth families.
My special guest is Julie Dixon Jackson, an empathetic and skilled genetic genealogist hailing from Southern California. As an adoptee born in Australia during the Baby Scoop era, Julie spent over two decades searching for her biological family. In this episode, she shares her expertise by helping fellow adoptees, NPEs, and donor-conceived individuals discover their origins through her company, CutOff Genes Investigations. Julie also hosts the CutOff Genes podcast, which delves into a variety of DNA-related topics, particularly in the context of adoption. Join Beth Syverson as she chats with Julie about the vital role genetic genealogy plays in uncovering family origins.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Visit Cutoff Genes Investigations website to learn more about genetic genealogy and adoption search services: https://cutoffgenes.com/
Check out Julie Dixon Jackson's podcast, Cutoff Genes, for insights into DNA and adoption-related topics: https://cutoffgenes.libsyn.com/
Connect with Julie on Facebook for updates and news related to adoption and genetic genealogy: https://www.facebook.com/cutoffgenespodcast
Searching for Biological Family
The search for one's biological family is a profound and often
emotional experience. Adoptees may grapple with feelings of
confusion, excitement, and anxiety as they embark on this journey.
Patience, persistence, and resourcefulness are critical as adoptees
navigate this path. The use of DNA testing and genealogical
research has revolutionized this search and increased the
likelihood of finding lost family connections. Julie Dixon
Jackson's personal story, as shared in this Unraveling Adoption
episode, demonstrates the determination and ingenuity needed to
find her biological family. Despite facing numerous obstacles and
uncertainties, Julie combined her skills in genetic genealogy with
the use of DNA testing to progressively uncover her ancestry. Her
experience serves as an inspiring testament to the power of
persistence and the importance of seeking one's roots.
Learning About Her Family History
The revelation of one's family history is a life-altering
experience, providing a newfound sense of identity, belonging, and
context. Adoptees who delve into their biological roots often find
answers to long-held questions and develop a deeper understanding
of themselves. However, this journey may also unearth difficult
truths or cast current family relationships in a new light. In this
Unraveling Adoption episode, Julie Dixon Jackson recounts her
experiences of learning about her biological family's history. She
describes the emotional rollercoaster she went through while
uncovering new information and making sense of her findings.
Julie's story showcases the importance of resilience, perspective,
and support as individuals learn about their family history and
forge new connections. The insights and lessons gleaned from her
journey can serve as guidance and inspiration for others embarking
on a similar path.
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📆 Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar
💌Sign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX
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Other Resources:
APtitude Support Group for Adoptive Parents Facing Adoption’s Challenges: UnravelingAdoption.com/APtitude
Other Parents Like Me - https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me
Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/
Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling
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Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson
Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao
Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
Support UnravelingAdoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption
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Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:01:07 - Julie's Adoption Story,
Julie Dixon Jackson shares her adoption story as a Baby Scoop era
adoptee from Australia and discusses her journey to find her
biological family, including the use of genetic genealogy.
00:04:00 - Effects of Adoption on Identity,
Julie talks about the effects of adoption on her identity and why
she struggled with independence and self-soothing.
00:08:22 - Finding Biological Father,
Julie discusses her search for her biological father and meeting
him in person.
00:12:10 - Realizing Truth About Biological Father,
Julie talks about realizing the truth about her biological father
and how it explained certain physical traits and
characteristics.
00:13:57 - Searching for Biological Family,
Julie discusses her background as an adoptee and her search for her
biological family. She shares the challenges she faced, including
limited information and uncooperative family members.
00:16:18 - Using Genetic Genealogy,
Julie discusses her use of genetic genealogy to identify her
biological father. She talks about her process of tracking down
potential relatives and using DNA testing to narrow down her
search.
00:21:05 - Learning About Her Family History,
Julie talks about how her search for her biological family allowed
her to learn about her family history going back to the 1700s. She
discusses the importance of feeling connected to her past and
having a sense of identity.
00:23:40 - Challenges of Being an Adoptee,
Julie discusses the challenges she faced growing up as an adoptee,
including feeling disconnected and invalidated by her adoptive
family. She emphasizes the importance of adoptive parents listening
to their children and acknowledging their individuality.
00:26:39 - Pursuing Her Passion for Singing,
Julie talks about her passion for singing and how she was
discouraged from pursuing it by her adoptive family. She shares her
experience auditioning for a school musical and singing out loud
for the first time, despite her family's disapproval.
00:28:20 - Early Life and Love for Music,
Julie Dixon Jackson talks about her childhood and her love for
music. She shares her experience of performing in front of her
friends and family and how it changed her life. She discusses how
her parents didn't think she could make a career out of her
singing.
00:33:21 - Genealogy Career,
Julie Dixon Jackson talks about her experience with genealogy work,
which she started in her early 20s. She discusses how she got
interested in it and how she started doing regular genealogy work.
She talks about how DNA kits from companies like Ancestry and
23andMe have changed the face of being an adoptee.
00:38:54 - Challenges in Genealogy Work,
Julie Dixon Jackson discusses the challenges of genealogy work,
including cultural taboos and legal restrictions in different
countries. She talks about how it can be a long process and
requires patience. She mentions how she continues to work on open
cases and looks for new matches every day.
00:40:40 - Reuniting Adoptees with Biological Families,
Julie Dixon Jackson talks about her experience reuniting adoptees
with their biological families. She discusses how many biological
mothers have taken their secrets to their graves and how adoptees
can feel emotional after a reunion. She shares her approach of
trying to help with adoptees' emotional state after a reunion.
00:41:46 - Challenges with Private Investigators,
Julie Dixon Jackson talks about the challenges of working with
private investigators
00:42:51 - Starting the Search and Writing a Letter,
Julie advises adoptees to start thinking about a letter they would
like to write to their biological parents, assuming they may not
hear back. She recommends being neutral and saying all the right
things to make a good first impression, including being open to
connecting but not insisting on it.
00:44:11 - Intermediary Services,
Julie helps adoptees write letters and finds where biological
parents live. She can send letters using publicly-known addresses
or as an intermediary for addresses she has access to as an
investigator. This approach gives the biological parent an
opportunity to calm down and engage with the letter at their own
pace.
00:46:07 - Counseling Adoptees,
Julie advises adoptees to manage their expectations when searching
for biological parents. There will be a honeymoon period if and
when a reunion happens, but it will be a rollercoaster of emotions.
Julie provides counseling and support for adoptees, taking calls
and guiding them through the process. Most cases are solvable, but
some are not due to endogamy, lack of matches or being from a
different country.
00:49:01 - Understanding Cousin Relationships,
Julie clarifies that first cousin's children are not second cousins
but first cousins once removed.