Roots Tracing Chinese Birth Families Using DNA and Genealogy

Every person has a biological identity but not everybody has access to that information, this is particularly the case for many adoptees. With today’s  technology, searching the roots of a family tree to obtain an understanding of where we come from and who we are is widely available and reliable.

The  motivation for roots tracing is as vast as the number of people who are doing so. An adoptee or their adoptive family may feel inspired to know more about their biological identity for emotional reasons, or wish to connect with their birth family; for practical matters such as the need for medical history, or for any other personal desire.

From Wes’ practical experience and journey we will be sharing how to use a genetic genealogy-based process that is characterised by a combination of DNA testing and traditional genealogy method to conduct birth search. The focus will be on ethnic Chinese using known resources of Mainland China and Hong Kong.

This event is aimed at adoptees and adoptive families who are members or non-members of Adoptive Families of Hong Kong. Participants do not have to be currently residing in Hong Kong/Mainland China as the methodology applies to anyone interested in searching for Chinese birth families.

Wesley O. Hagood

Adoptive parent, author of "Searching For Your Chinese Birth Family" 2021,  and President of Families with Children from China  (FCC) Capital Area (since 2012),  based in Maryland, USA

When one of Wes' adopted daughters, Mia, was 5 years old she expressed her yearning to learn more about her birth family in China. Wes and Mia then embarked on a 15 year birth search journey together, which is the reason he is so passionate, knowledgeable and experienced in this topic. Wes is excited to share more with our community.

Wesley O. Hagood is the author of the book, "Searching For Your Chinese Birth Family" published in 2021 (link to book.) He has been a member of Families with Children from China (FCC) Capital Area in the United States since 2004.  He became a Board Member in 2006 and has served as the President of FCC Capital Area since 2012.  He attended the University of Maryland in College Park and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education.  He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Administration and Supervision from Bowie State University.  During his career, he worked as a mathematics teacher, computer programmer, management consultant and programme manager.  Wes resides in Easton, Maryland with his wife, Denise, and their two daughters adopted from China. 

Wes' favourite photo of his whole family.

This special event is open to members and non-members of AFHK, and is available at:

- HKD100 per member/family

- HKD150 per non-member/family. (If you decide to join AFHK as a Member when you register for this event, you will be charged the membership fee + HKD100 to attend the event.) 

Due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, this event is restricted to participants 18 years and above.

There will be a Q&A session at the end, and our presenter and moderator welcome those registering to send any questions they have about the topic in advance.  This will help the team plan for this.  Please send your questions to outreach@afhk.org.hk.  All questions will be acknowledged but we will not have the capacity to reply over email, and depending on the volume during the event, may not be able to answer all.

As a volunteer organisation, we rely on our members and donors' support to help us organise and offer events such as these. Please consider donating here: 

** Additional notice: An email was sent on 1 March 2023 with an erroneous message stating that this is a free online webinar. In order to cover administrative costs and continue to showcase events like this, we do ask for a small fee to be charged. Our apologies for the mis-information and inconvenience cause. **