Genealogy Chat

Looking into this for a friend. Her father remarried and she wants to know if he adopted his wife's children. The children were born outside the UK. Rose

If the procedure took place in this country, it would come under the heading 'Mother's Own' adoption. However, I don't know whether anyone not directly concerned would be allowed to see the records......... Is the man still alive? Reg

I'm not sure that it would be possible to find this out without speaking to the person or people concerned. From what you have said the step children would still be living and information could not be released without their permission or that of parent/guardian because of the data protection act. The best thing to do would be to ask them personally. Though I realise that this can be awkward when it invoves a family split. Chris

Thanks Christine and Reg, It's all got a bit messy. Her father just died and the new wife is refusing to show the will. My friend and her brother want to know if it's worth seeing a solicitor or not. They figure they have a chance of contesting the will if the children weren't adopted. The wife was deported at some point because she wasn't here legally. Seems their father married her to keep her in the country and also care for him as he was sick. Rose

I believe that some solicitors will advise generally for a short period for free. If you phoned one and set the scene, they could advise what further steps were necessary. As blood relatives, your friend may well have a case to contest the Will, if things weren't all 'above board'. A caveat can be placed on a Will to buy time, while things are sorted out, but that needs legal advice. Gwyn

Thanks Gywn, My friend seems to think it as all been part of some master plan of this woman because she is now applying to get the natural father of the kids into the country. Rose

Definately see a solicitor - I think you can still have a free half hour. Wills are a matter of public information and you can request a copy, but this might only be after probate, I am not sure. A solicitor will let you know. You could also look up Wills and Probate on the internet, but it is not always easy to pick out the bits that apply to your own case. Good luck Eileen

Hi If the children were adopted in England or Wales they will be registered in the Adopted Children Register. The index to this register can only be viewed in person at the Family records Centre in London. The children are listed in their adoptive surnames then first names, it gives year of birth (not date of birth) and enough information to gain an adoption certificate. The a/cert gives names and address of parents etc. As you know the surname of the family and probably the children's first names you should be able to spot it. Hope this had helped. Cheers Gerry

You don't need permission to see a will - it is a public document and you should be able to get a copy. Of course, there may not even be a will...