Big news for adoptees born in Virginia! 

Yesterday, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed House Bill 301 into law, granting adoptees access to their original birth certificates (OBCs). This makes Virginia the latest in a string of states granting open access to OBCs. 

Why does this matter? Because it opens another path to discovering your biological family and origins. Two paths—the DNA-first route and the records-first route—help adoptees begin a search for biological relatives. Here’s how to get started…

Arnold first shared about his experience discovering an unknown biological daughter on the Watershed DNA blog many years ago. In episode 3 this season, Arnold joined Brianne to share more of his story. He is back again to answer listener questions, offering reassurance and parting words to fathers and families who find themselves in a similar situation.

Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) is in the news again, most recently because of its relevance in the case of the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie. Sources report that after a failure of finding a match in the CODIS database, FIGG is being used to attempt to identify a mixed DNA profile found inside the home and not connected to Guthrie family members.

What are CODIS and FIGG? In today’s short post, I’ll provide a quick overview of these two acronyms and their application in DNA testing and analysis for criminal investigations. For further learning, you can read about FIGG or listen to DNA Clarity and Support podcast guest J.C. Kenney, an author who researched and incorporated FIGG into the story of fictional investigator Allie Cobb.

I have worked with biological fathers on the other side of discovery, and some are struggling to balance it all and know what is the “right” thing to do. The best outcomes happen when communication is slow and paced (think snail mail pace and not Facebook chats and text messaging). Decisions to meet up need to be based on all-around readiness, not geographical convenience or other pressure.

Maria's discovery that she's an NPE was one in a series of major life shocks she has weathered. From surviving childhood trauma to achieving sobriety, Maria has turned the adversity she's faced into inspiring TEDx talks, a podcast, presentations, and multiple books. Her next book, which covers the gamut of topics raised by consumer DNA testing, is due out in 2026.

Today’s guest, Arnold (shared with permission), reflects on the past six years since he first learned he had a biological daughter he never knew existed. His story is one of vulnerability and openness, of loss and healing, and finding courage to reveal a surprise child discovery after years of choosing not to share.

This episode covers:

• Arnold’s experience of preparing to share about his biological child discovery, first with his wife and later his children

• Arnold (and his late wife’s) decision to meet his biological daughter in person and develop a relationship with her privately

• Finding community with other bio dads and from online support groups

• How coaching with Brianne set him up for success in sharing the surprise news

Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals trained in both medical genetics and counseling. Most are comfortable answering questions about the health implications of DNA test results. This includes what conditions may run in families, what risks might exist for relatives, and when medical follow-up is recommended. Read more about genetic counselors from Brianne Kirkpatrick Williams and Watershed DNA.

In this episode of DNA Clarity and Support, Brianne talks with Jen Jacober, a genetic counselor who brings a deeply personal perspective to her work. Jen is a late-discovery donor-conceived person, and she opens up about what it was like to learn this truth as an adult—and how that experience has shaped her understanding of herself and influenced her professional practice.

Maggy was the family genealogist who dedicated her heart and time to developing the family tree branches far and wide. A month after distributing a book of their genealogy to her excited family, she discovered the book no longer included her.

Over the past 12-and-a-half years since her surprise DNA discovery, Maggy has been on a long and winding journey grappling with her identity and navigating changes in her relationships.

Maggy shares encouragement with other NPEs and advice for finding the community that fits your needs. She shares her experience of using a painful discovery to help others (and help yourself in the process). 

MyHeritage’s new low-pass whole genome sequencing (WGS) test goes beyond standard genotyping to cover more of your DNA for genealogical insights. Learn how this first-of-its-kind ancestry test differs from medical-grade WGS, its pros and limits, and why personal choice matters when deciding whether to retest or explore new DNA technology. Book a session with Watershed DNA to decide on testing.