To understand my adoption better, I needed to explore what was happening in China during that time. Adoption policies and practices often changed depending on government campaigns, regional differences, and how strictly family planning laws were enforced, which varied place to place.

I read books and articles about the policy and adoption in China, and I found documentaries and personal stories especially eye-opening. They helped me grasp the real-life effects of these policies and the environment my story began in.

It wasn’t always easy to take in, but learning about this history gave me a clearer picture of what life in China was like when I was born. It’s deepened my curiosity and helped me feel more connected to the larger story behind my journey.

One of the most meaningful steps in my search was sitting down with my parents to record the story of my adoption. I asked them to share everything they remembered—how I got my name, where I was found, what I was found with, whether I had foster parents, and any details the orphanage caretakers shared with them. These conversations helped me piece together parts of my story that I hadn’t fully explored before.

I also took the time to gather all the documents related to my adoption. This included not just my official adoption papers but also any updates the orphanage had sent my parents throughout the process, my Chinese passport, and other records tied to my adoption journey.

To ensure I hadn’t overlooked anything, I reached out to my adoption agency for a copy of my paperwork.

One of the first steps in my search was investing in a 23andMe DNA kit. I ordered it on sale, completed the process easily, and got some fascinating results: 90% Chinese and 10% Vietnamese. Six months later, though, those results updated to 100% Chinese. This was my first lesson in taking DNA testing with a grain of salt.

I also signed up for the premium subscription for health insights. While it’s worth it for the first year—especially if, like me, you don’t have access to family health history—I wouldn’t recommend it long-term. And, yes, I keep forgetting to cancel it.

Through a Facebook group, I learned about GEDmatch, a platform where you can upload your 23andMe results. The interface is clunky, but once you figure it out, it’s a powerful tool—especially if you match with someone within two degrees of relation. I also appreciate that the nonprofit Nanchang Project adds new birth families to the database and provides a helpful guide to interpret results.

There are also two Chinese platforms for uploading DNA data: WeGene and 23mofang. I vaguely remember a fee for uploading my 23andMe data, but it’s been a while, so don’t quote me on that.

Right now, I’m in the process of submitting a blood sample to the National Police Database to see if there’s a match with my birth parents. Fingers crossed.

Originally, when I saw people recommending that I hire a searcher, I made an assumption that it would be incredibly expensive. Plus, sometimes these individuals were located in provinces other than mine. Despite these reservations, I reached out to My China Roots for a quote which I rejected because I personally felt that it was too high for the services being provided.

A few years later, I decided to contact the Nanchang Project to see who they might recommend. They paired me with a searcher who quoted 750 RMB (around $109 USD) per day, which included meals and hotel, but not transportation. This felt much more manageable, and the searcher even offered free poster creation and translation services. He also recommended a media partner for outreach, which would cost 400 RMB per day.

We are still in the process of finalizing the search plans, but I’ll be sure to update you on how everything unfolds. Having professional support feels like a critical step forward in this journey.

I haven’t started this process yet, but it’s definitely on my list. I’ll be sure to keep you posted as things progress.

I used a Canva whiteboard to organize everything I was learning throughout my search, from keeping track of key information to mapping out important locations. I highlighted train routes, pinpointed where the orphanage was versus where potential birth family connections were found, and created a visual roadmap of my journey. ChatGPT was also an invaluable tool in helping me narrow down my search. It helped me understand the broader adoption landscape, provided context about Chinese adoption practices, and even suggested new strategies or resources I hadn’t considered. Having both a visual and informational system makes the process feel more manageable and focused.