There are probably many ways to approach genetic genealogy if you have been adopted. I would caution, of course, that you only pursue genetic testing if you are 100% sure that you are ready for ANY result.

Since you are female, the Y-DNA test is not an option. That leaves two options – mtDNA testing, and autosomal testing. If money were not an option, one approach might be to do a genome analysis through a company such as 23andMe (autosomal testing). Then, when it appears that someone is closely related to you in some way has also been tested, you will presumably be alerted. I think there is a lot of potential here, especially if many people decide to be tested. Most of the genomic analysis companies also test the mtDNA.

mtDNA alone might give you some clues, but this approach is probably the least likely to give you any information. mtDNA is passed down over time without many changes, so a match could mean that you are related 2 generations ago, or 20 generations ago. If you can afford it, I would go with a full mtDNA sequencing – this will allow you to refine matches, if there are any.

Thanks for stopping by, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks for the credit! I actually was surprised that Ancestry was the one who did this first, however, if they do it right I think they are the best suited.

Tim