Lucy Greenwell

For most of history, there's been no way to prove who the parents of a baby are.

A foundling was an absolute and unsolvable mystery.

Until DNA testing came along.

So a quick spot of history, because it's going to be important.

DNA testing in paternity cases has existed since the 1980s.

Then, at the turn of the millennium, a handful of tech startups began offering something new.

In 2006, a company called 23andMe launched in California.

They offered genetic testing with a consumer-friendly design.

Spit in a tube, send it back and get information about your ancestry, your inherited traits, your health.

They made it seem fun.

That was pretty revolutionary.

But four years on, in 2010, they launched something else.

DNA relatives.

This was a feature that matched you with anyone else in the database with whom you shared significant amounts of DNA.

That was the moment.

For foundlings the world over, it was game on.

And for the mothers who didn't want to be found,

Well, the clock was ticking.

By 2020, DNA testing is widespread and Jess's sister Laura thinks Jess should give it a go to see what she can find out.

Jess isn't at all sure.