NON-IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

Even in states with sealed adoption records, adoptees are allowed access to certain information that is deamed non-identifying in nature. This information is obtainable from the agency that handled the adoption or from the state in some cases. Non-ID is a very useful tool and should be one of the first pieces of information obtained in your search. The volume of information can vary, but it will usually include things like the heritage of the birth parents, ages, number of siblings for the parents, number of siblings for the adoptee and sometimes some information regarding the general circumstances of the adoption. Small pieces of the puzzle can prove be be very useful.

TALK TO YOUR ADOPTIVE PARENTS!

As uncomfortable as it may sound, it is very important that you talk to your adoptive parents regarding the adoption. First, if you have an open dialogue about your decision to search, you are likely to avoid hurt feelings. You will have the chance to them that your love for them is not going to change or stop and that this is a necessary step in that never ending process of finding yourself. Second, and much more selfishly, adoptive parents are sometimes a great source of information. They can often remember details that they were given by the social worker and sometimes have court documents with information. If you are as lucky as we were, they may even have names.

WHAT IS THE ISSR?

The ISSR, or International Soundex Reunion Registry, is a mutual consent registry for adoptees and birth families. This should be among the first steps of beginning your search. If both you and a member of your birth family are both registered, you will both be notified of the match. Simply download the registration form at the ISSR website (on our "Links" page) and send it in. They will not contact you unless there is a match. Send new registrations if you have updated information.

WHY USE GENEALOGY SITES?

One of the fastest growing hobbies today is Family History Research. With the advent of the internet, what once took years to accomplish through snail mail and heavy travel has become information with the click of the mouse. Chances are that the person you are searching for or one of their cousins has done some family research and may have even posted it on the web. Using free sites like Ancestry or Rootsweb, you not only have access to searchable family trees, but also a vast number of databases such as birth idexes and directories. Forum sites like Genforum or Family History can help you link up with people who are searching for information about a particular surname. Check out our "Links" page for connections to some of the largest sites.

WHAT CAN A SEARCH ENGINE DO FOR ME?

Search engines are a great research tool! Enter your birth name or your adoptive name and see what comes up. Enter things like your year of birth, the place of birth and the word "adopt" or some similar combination and you may find that the person you are looking for is looking for you! My personal favorite is Google, but use what you are comfortable with.

OBITUARIES

The idea of hunting through obituaries may sound a little morbid to some of you -- GET OVER IT! Depending on the detail, obituaries can give you the names of all of the living relatives as well as those who have already died. For those of you who are searching for an illusive female but don't know their married name, this is the place to go. Some obits can be found online, others you may have to look for in libraries. If you don't live close by, some librarians are willing to do looks ups otherwise you may need to illicit the help of a Search Angel.

PUBLIC RECORDS ARE YOUR FRIEND

Some states are more open that others with their public records. Some counties within states are wide open while others are locked tight. If you have a name or a last name these records can be a great resource to you. Look at things like property records, voter records, birth records, death records and even criminal records. There are some public records sites listed on the "Links" page that are GREAT!