Susannah is a skilled investigator who helped me find the identity of my birth parents. This was a 30+ year journey for me as an adoptee — having no prior knowledge of my birth family apart from a piece of paper (with no names – only descriptions) written up by a social worker in 1969.

With only that single piece of paper, cross-referencing my DNA matches, along with researching public records, she was able to uncover the mystery of my family within days. I also appreciated Susannah’s guidance as she helped me navigate the emotional impacts of this information and helped me with strategies for making contact with my family.

After growing up with my wonderful adoptive family, I followed the path of many adoptees, and wanted to learn more about my birth parents. My mom and dad shared the limited information they had in my adoption file. Unfortunately, my state of birth still does not allow adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates. I attempted to search for my adoptive family through a variety of methods both through the internet and other methods. Unfortunately, my research led nowhere. My family and I thought that unless the law changed in my birth state, I would never know the names of my birth parents.

Prior to testing my DNA, I knew I needed expert help if I had any hope of finding additional information. Susannah Pryal spent time researching with the miniscule information gleaned from my records. She found an obscure 20-year-old post to an adoption message board from a member of my birth family. Based on the author’s name and basic information in the post, Susannah was able to find and verify the identity of my birth mother. I was elated when I reached out to my birth mother’s family and learned about them.

Unfortunately, no one knew the name of my birth father, and my birth mother would not reveal his name to me or her siblings. Thus, began the second part of my journey with DNA. I sent in my DNA to a well-known DNA testing company. When the results were completed, I was excited to learn my ethnic makeup, but disappointed that I had no close matches to help me identify my birth father or his family.

Once again Susannah’s superior research skills and knowledge helped me find answers to long sought questions. She has identified my birth father, but I have yet to find the courage to contact him but will when I am emotionally ready.

With Susannah’s knowledge of genealogy, DNA, and research skills, I plan to hire her to seek information in my mom’s (adoptive) family tree that prior generations tried to suppress. Susannah Pryal is effective, determined, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend her services!

Susannah helped our family to solve a hundred year old mystery. Not only is she well trained in resources, she also has a tenacious ability to connect hints that many others may have missed. I was impressed by her ability to combine traditional genealogy resources with DNA results and to quickly link not only a name change for a mom but also to find a candidate for an unknown father.