I’m looking for help identifying and locating my biological father and paternal family. I’ve reached a dead end with DNA testing and need guidance on how to proceed.
Known facts:
My parents were legally married in Texas in December 1997
I was born in September 1998 in Brazil
My mother left for Brazil shortly after the pregnancy and raised me there
I moved to the United States in my early 20s for work, later met my husband, got married, and now live in the U.S.
I have had no contact with my mother for 4 years
Family background / complications:
My mother’s history has always been inconsistent and unclear
She never told her maternal family that she had previously been married
Because of this, I was treated poorly by my maternal relatives growing up (as I was not seen as a “child from a marriage”)
I was primarily raised by my grandparents
I have very limited reliable information about my father’s side
Paternal information:
I have a name listed on the Texas marriage certificate (likely my biological father based on timing)
I also have the names of my possible father’s parents
My paternal grandparents are believed to be from Durango, Mexico
My father was born in Texas
DNA results:
I have taken two ancestry DNA tests
I have contacted my closest matches:
2nd cousins: no response
3rd cousins: do not recognize the family connection
No clear leads so far
What I’m trying to do:
I’m trying to confirm my biological father’s identity and locate any paternal relatives. I do have some names and documents, but I don’t know how to move forward, especially across records in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil.
If anyone has experience with:
Texas marriage or birth records
Mexican genealogy (especially Durango region)
DNA triangulation beyond 3rd cousins
Finding biological family with limited information
I would really appreciate any guidance.
Thank you for reading.