This fifteen-year search included years without any apparent progress, but we never gave up.

Our connection through DNA has brought me and my family a gift that only someone with your talent could accomplish. Your knowledge of DNA and application of what I can only say is an amazing ability (gift) to sort through the labyrinth of what is called my family history has introduced me to a family I didn’t know I had; now, I have a history just like almost everyone else I know.

I grew up with the knowledge of only one full-blooded relative and a half-brother with no one to answer any of the many questions I had. You did all of this with the DNA results and several names given to a social worker during an intake interview in some 60 plus years ago.

I can only say what you did, in my opinion, was nothing short of a miracle. Two thoughts come to mind when I think of how this came about, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” Paulo Coelho ... and ... “1 Universe, 9 Planets, 204 Countries, 809 Islands, 7 Seas and I had the privilege to meet you.” Unknown.

A simple thank you seems to be such a small gesture for such an enormous gift. This is something my children are profoundly grateful for. My three grandchildren and generations to come will now have roots.I am eternally indebted to you.

Sidney L.

My then-unknown adoptee was honored by a flag flown over the California legislature when she retired, but that is another story!

It is hard to put a price on finding one’s biological family, however, as an adoptee, I know it is priceless. In 2014, Russ Lipton found me (a biological cousin) via Ancestry.com after my husband purchased an Ancestry packet for my birthday. Russ turned out to be a biological cousin and I couldn’t have been luckier. My life was changed and transformed to a wholeness that is something that cannot be described in words. Even as I believe my parents who adopted me were “mine,” the curiosity never waned. Russ opened up a whole new family for me and I have a sister that I absolutely love today.

His amazing investigative and genealogical expertise is unsurpassed by anyone. He is passionate and tenacious, but Russ also has an uncanny understanding how emotional the experience can be for an adoptee. His ethics and honesty are unquestionable.

I hope this letter finds you more comfortable in working with Russ. I truly have had a wonderful time uncovering my past and believe Russ was completely instrumental in my success.

Additionally, if you are unsure whether to offer your DNA to assist another, let me say with confidence, you will be helping someone tremendously.

Marti H.

This genealogist has helped me in my searches, not vice versa! I am honored to be included in the ground-breaking research done by her and her colleagues into the Hasidic families of Ukraine.

I first made Russ Lipton’s acquaintance several years ago, when he wrote to me after noting a close DNA match between a member of my family and his late father, who was an adoptee and had taken a DNA test ten years earlier. As a result, Russ developed friendly relationships with his DNA match and with several of his new-found cousins. Further DNA testing confirmed that his family and mine are connected, although distantly, so we are mishpocha, too! We are still working on his paternal ancestry to find the exact connection.

In the process, we have become good friends. Although we reside on opposite sides of the continent, we were delighted to meet in person at a Jewish genealogy conference last year. (Instead of clenching a rose between his teeth, so that I would recognize him, he sent me a photo of himself, wearing a yellow tam o’shanter, and later that day, when we attended the same conference session in a huge lecture hall, there he was, wearing that same yellow hat and waving to me! Cleverness, imagination, and sense of humor, all rolled into one!)

I’ve observed that Russ is a passionate and dedicated genealogist and an excellent researcher; he is intelligent, insightful, and analytical, and he has an eye for noting disparate details and drawing them into a coherent hypothesis. He loves solving mysteries and has the dogged persistence that sometimes leads to a great discovery, although it may take years to materialize. And yet, he respects personal boundaries and does not publish confidential information without permission. He is also an amazing human being! He radiates warmth, friendliness, empathy, and enthusiasm. He’s a true family man, with a loving wife, five children, and ten grandchildren.

Susan S.

This adoptee's lifelong work on behalf of fellow adoptees has secured her a well-deserved reputation across Australia. I was privileged to help her identify her genetic father's family and, so, meet her half-brother.

I am delighted to express my admiration and recommendation of Russ Lipton, and for the services which he provides.

We met through a distant DNA cousin of mine, who recommended Russ to me as a person who could help me to identify and locate my paternal family. This was a matter of profound importance to me and one which I had been pursuing for most of my adult life.

Russ devoted himself to helping me in my quest and spent countless hours researching, advising and supporting me over many year until not long ago. Miraculously, I was fortunate enough to achieve an unexpectedly rewarding outcome. I am deeply grateful to Russ for his indispensable help in filling these gaps in my life story, which would otherwise have remained unanswered.

Russ has a great deal of expertise and experience as a genealogist, both in relation to the use of genetics as well as the more traditional records. He is clever, determined and untiring. He is completely trustworthy and a man of great sensitivity. Russ approached many of my remote DNA relatives for their assistance; he showed great sensitivity and integrity in areas of family history that were sometimes challenging. On no occasion has his research on my behalf caused embarrassment or discomfort to others. Russ is a pleasure to work with and is great fun, as well as wise.

I am delighted to recommend Russ. In my experience, you could not be in better hands.

Pauline L.