Renee Kraft is the Project Manager for the Amerasian Program, helping children born to American Soldiers serving in Southeast Asia identify their American families. Renee became interested in genealogy at a very young age. She didn’t know much about her biological paternal side and her mother did not know the identity of her own biological father. When 23andMe dna testing became available, Renée and her mother were one of the first individuals to do genetic dna testing and then followed up with Ancestry dna testing as well. After the release of the 1940 census and a new dna match that turned out to be a close match on her mothers paternal side, Renee was able to solve the 70 plus year mystery of who her mothers father was. Thereafter she solved two more family mysteries identifying biological fathers. She empathized with the pain her mother went through not knowing who her father was. “It was truly traumatic for her.” She also empathizes with those that have been rejected by their biological families as she was with her own. “I have two half sisters I never met. They have no interest in meeting me. It hurt but as time went on I understand that it was ok and their decision had nothing to do with me. I’m driven to spend my free time helping others in their search for truth”.
In addition to volunteering for DNAngels solving cases, Renée is an independent feral cat trapper, supporting Trap Neuter Return in her community and rescuing kittens. “It’s important to control the feral cat population and reduce the suffering of these beautiful fur babies.”
Renee lives on Long Island and works in New York City in the Information Technology Industry. She enjoys time with friends, travel to Europe, nature, the beach and a good book.
