Genealogy Chat

Hi I was adopted out when I was 5, so leaving me with little information of my real family name. Im trying to peice together my real family history to find out what happened to everyone.. Unfortunately I only have information about Mother/Father (although very little) and my two sisters. How would I go about this?.. Any helpers would be appreciated.

Good morning Lisa! If you were adopted before 1975, then you have to have one compulsory counselling session with Social Services; however you don't need this if you were adopted after 1975. It's a good idea to contact your local SS office first anyway, as they will be able to point you in the right direction. You need to obtain a copy of your original birth certificate, and your adoption records if possible. These should be held by the agency that arranged the adoption (eg Social Services, Church agency, etc). There is also a very good adoption charity called Norcap, they have a website at www(.)norcap(.)org (remove the brackets), and were recommended to me by social services. Adoption searching is a hugely emotional journey, so you need to have someone to support you - a partner, relative, best friend etc. Please be prepared for anything - your birth parent/s may be deceased, your birth family might not want to have contact from you, etc. It's also a very good idea to have some sort of 'intermediary' to make the initial contact on your behalf. I'm not a professional, just experienced in my own adoption search, so if you think I might be able to help with further information or answer any questions, please feel free to email me. Very best wishes, Mandy x

Thanks for the information Mandy. I have previously searched for parents and got to meet them, I knew them for a few years but decided not to further my contact with them, I also met one sister Joanne, who I love dearly and we speak occassionaly.. The main one I want to find is Emma, my other sister. No one knows of her whereabouts. She was adopted straight out as she had a medical problem, we used to see each other all the time as children until I got adopted at the age of 7, then the contact ended and nothing more was ever said. For years there has been an ache to see Emma, we were close as children and even now love her so much. I have a husband who supports me tremendously through whatever gets in our way and he has given me the idea of this site to find Emma... I just am unsure.. I dont want to pay out hundreds to subscribe to sites, if I wont find her, I have no idea of her surname now, or even if she is still alive. It kills me to think that she may be deceased but it is a possibility I must'nt forget. I do appreciate the help youve given me today Mandy. Thanks Lisa.

Hi Lisa, I've emailed you with a bit more info. Wishing you great success, love Mandy x

Hi Lisa I have been away over Xmas so have only just seen this thread. I was very moved by your story, but also quite angry. I am almost SURE that a new Adoption Act that has just come into force means that any blood relative of an adopted person has: !. The right to be given Non-identifying information, such as your sister is alive and well. 2. You have a right to ask Social Services to make discreet contact with your sister to see if she wishes to have contact with you. I am very angry that you have not been told of your rights in this matter,and I think you should go back to Social Services and be a bit more demanding. In your case, where it is a matter of three sisters wanting to be in contact, I can't see that anyone could have a problem with this, so don't let them give you the runaround. I wish you luck. Marjorie.