Genealogy Chat

Hi Everyone xxx How do I find out the adopted name of a child? when I say child I mean pre 1945 My local archive centre has fiche on adoptions during that time but where do I start? How do I discover thier adoption names? I know all thier real names and quarters and years of births. Thank u xxxxxxx Angie xxx

You would be very lucky to find anything. there are two registers,birth register and adoption register (which i think is closed or held at the FRC). Glen

Hi Glen How do u mean closed? (sorry im a bit dim lol) angie x

its been a long time since i went to london to find my dads birth and adoption and I cant remember how the adoption record books were. Does anyone know if the birth name is also against the new adopted name in the index or just the adopted name place dob of said child etc? if ya know what I mean

The Adopted Children Register is closed to the general public - it is not possible to view it. The index to it is available for viewing at the Family Records Centre, but there is no way to match up birth and adoptive names, apart from very lucky guesswork which is possible, but rare. Liz

The simple answer is you can't find the adopted persons adoptive name. Every child who is adopted in England and Wales is entered on the 'Adopted Children Register' (ACR) The index to this can be seen at the FRC in London. It only shows the adoptive name, year of birth (not date of birth... that would be too easy) Volume no and entry no. There is no way you can cross reference the adopted child with the original birth name... that is unless you have a definite first name or surname to go by. Then you can search the index for a possible match and apply for their Adoption Certificate. This will give you: No of entry Date of birth and country of birth (not place of birth) Name and Surname of child Sex of child Name and surname and occupation of adopters Date of adoption order and name of court Date of entry onto the ACR Name of Registrar Good luck with your search. Cheers Gerry

Thank you all so very much xxxxxxxxxxxx Think I will send for thier birth certificates. Ive dug out dads birth certificate and at the very end it says Adopted the registars name etc. At least then ill know for sure whether they were indeed adopted or just went into foster care or childrens homes. Im not sure as a child of an adoptee am I alowed to register on that adoption searching thingy? Dad is so very happy that ive found one of his brothers as is his brother :)))))))))))) fills my heart with joy dad is almost 75 yrs and his brother is almost 74 yrs my uncle said as I found him the day after fathers day that it is the best present he could ever have wished for :))))))))))) dad says its the best 75th b'day prezzie he could ever wish for (tho I did have to remind him that really I was his best prezzie cus i was born 8 days before his b'day ;) ) Thier only wish now is that I can find thier other siblings (god im knackered sitting up till 6am everyday for over a month but its worth it lol) im as proud as punch that I tracked him down and that hes as pleased as I am that i have (my one worry was that he would be upset gladly he isnt :) ) So birth certificates it is tho ive been told I do have to join the adoption thingy if i do track them down cus apparently its illegal to contact adoptees !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Angie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Angela This will give you information about the Adoption Contact Register www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/adoptions/ nell

As an adopted person your father can join the Adoption Contact Register. Also the new law changes allows birth families to make a search through an Adoption Support Agency (ASA) Go to www.adoptionsearchreunion.org.uk this will explain how to go about it. I understand that they give priority to older adoptions given the age of the adoptees and their families. Good Luck Cheers Gerry

nudge for Nikki