First Take

A word of caution if you are considering having your DNA tested by an online company: Deep, long-held family secrets could be unearthed.

I discovered that recently. After I received my results, I posted a profile on the company’s networking page. Others who’ve had their DNA tested there can check out your profile and reach out to you — much like on Facebook.

A woman in another state recently contacted me on the site and told me we are related. When I asked who her parents were, she said she could not tell me because she was given up for adoption as a baby and her birth parents want no contact with her.

But she did tell me who her grandmother was, so I was able to narrow down the list of possible parents for her. My imagination has gone wild, envisioning various scenarios surrounding her birth.

I talked to my family about this and they know of no baby cousins being given up for adoption. The mystery deepens.

I’ll keep you posted.