DNAngels October Volunteer of the Month: Richard Watson

This October, DNAngels is thrilled to recognize the outstanding contributions of Richard Watson, our Volunteer of the Month. Based in the UK, Richard is a dedicated researcher on our UK team and a key force behind several recent case solutions. His expertise, commitment, and unwavering determination make him a true asset to DNAngels.

Richard’s team lead, Carolanne Murphy, has endless praise for his efforts, sharing numerous examples that highlight his dedication. In one case, the team had nearly exhausted DNA leads, yet Richard persisted. Despite having only the surname “Cookson” as a clue, Richard identified a 70 cM DNA match with that surname. He meticulously reconstructed the family tree, eventually pinpointing the biological father’s name and solving the case through sheer perseverance. Carolanne remarks that Richard’s drive to go above and beyond, diving deep to build family connections, is what sets him apart.

Richard’s commitment frequently surpasses expectations. Although the volunteer minimum is 10 hours a week, he regularly dedicates far more time—even while on holiday in France, he continued to uncover connections to solve a client’s case. This past week, while managing a busy home life and caring for a beloved pet, Richard remained committed, even apologizing for any perceived delay, despite his exceptional contributions.

Beyond his research skills, Richard is crucial to team collaboration. Recently, in an adoptee case, he had the paternal side mapped out within 24 hours. His talent for sorting, mapping, and solving cases is invaluable. Though he currently prefers to stay in a research role due to life commitments, Carolanne insists Richard has earned “invisible wings” for his remarkable dedication to DNAngels and the clients we serve.

Thank you, Richard, for your incredible contributions to DNAngels this October!