Paper and Spit: Family found: How DNA and Genealogy revealed my first parents' identity

by Don Anderson

Like many adoptees, Don Anderson wanted to know where he came from. But would he be setting himself up for disappointment by searching? Would he discover parents who were not alive-or worse, parents who didn't want to know him? Would he be able to find them at all?

Paper and Spit chronicles Anderson's journey. Follow him every step of the way, from filing his first application in 1995, to obtaining information from the adoption agency that placed him, to knocking on his maternal aunt's door in 2001, to finally confirming the identity of his father in 2015.

Using DNA and genealogy, Anderson finds not only the identity of his birth parents but also his true ethnic heritage. In his relentless pursuit, he attends conferences, classes, and studies-and he never gives up his search. Anderson discovers that his connection to his roots is stronger than he realizes-and once he reconnects, he never lets go.

Paper and Spit is filled with suspense, disappointments, breakthroughs, and climactic moments that make it a great read. Even if adoption is not your story, Anderson's memoir will inspire you to find the roots of your identity and heritage.

162 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2017

Reviews

[Carol Wit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paper and Spit chronicles an adoptee's search for birth family, from the traditional paper search and reunion with his birth mother to the modern DNA search for his birth father...I really liked this book, its a very short read but the author gives so many way to find missing relatives., It took him about 20 years in his search, but many of those years were put on hold for other reasons., its very informative, not just for adoptees but for anyone that may be trying to locate missing or unknown relatives..... The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because I would have loved to see more pictures of his family......Still a very good book for anyone on a mission to locate someone

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paper and Spit chronicles an adoptee's search for birth family, from the traditional paper search and reunion with his birth mother to the modern DNA search for his birth father and ultimate closure. The author's enthusiasm and dedication to the task, which involved a huge learning curve and effort gathering evidence, are apparent on every page. He was blessed with many helpers and welcoming family members along the way. May the book set examples for those searching and those found and those able to help people with unknown parentage to find answers and healing.

The book is reasonably light on technical detail and I do not view it as a how to guide, rather as one searcher's personal experiences.

[Diana Petty-stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about a man's search for parents and siblings. Lots of good info for anyone struggling with the same search.

[Countesscrazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

It was very interesting to read about this journey to the birth parents. Very detailed and exciting. I am very glad this book was written.

[Paula Soper · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was reading this for a book club. The idea was ok. The writing was excruciating.

[Bonnie Fazio · Rating 4 out of 5]

146 pages

Probably read in late 2017.