Many library users take advantage of DBRL’s online tools, classes and reference collections to research their family trees. Creating a family history takes a lot of time and effort for anyone, but it can be particularly challenging for those who were adopted. In honor of National Adoption Month, we have gathered some tips and resources for adoptees.
- Start with yourself and your adoptive family. Write down everything that you already know about your adoption, and ask questions of your adoptive family, including information they might have about birth parents’ health, education, background and interests.
- Request adoption records. Laws for obtaining information about birth families vary by state. In the State of Missouri, nonidentifying information is available to adoptive parents, a child’s legal guardians or an adult adoptee. This can include the physical description, nationality, religious background and medical history of the birth parents or siblings. See www.childwelfare.gov for a summary of laws by state.
- Here in mid-Missouri, the Adoption Triad Connection helps adoptees find their biological roots. They generally meet every other month at the Columbia Public Library and provide search help and support for adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents, as well as adoption professionals. I know of several people this organization has been able to help. Visit their website (www.atcofmidmo.com) for more information and for contact information.
- Register with state and national registries that assist in reuniting birth parents and adoptees when both parties consent. The International Soundex Reunion Registry is a good place to start. The State of Missouri also has an adoption information registry.
- Use online search tools and support groups. The Internet and social media are fantastic research tools for adoptees. Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet has a section on adoption with a number of resources on topics from general resources to use of DNA testing to find birth families. The American Adoption Congress, an advocate for open access to adoption records, also provides research tips and support. There are even a growing number of stories about adoptees finding birth parents or siblings through social sites like Facebook.
- Learn from others’ experiences. Books like Jean A.S. Strauss’ “Birthright” and Pamela Slaton’s “Reunited” provide first-hand accounts of their personal searches for birth parents.
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