If you are adopted, or there is an adoption in your family tree, you are likely to encounter some challenges in conducting genealogical research. There is quite a bit of legal red tape surrounding many modern-day adoptions, and older relatives may be unwilling to speak about adoptions because in the past, it was often considered a taboo topic of discussion.
Whether you are an adoptee looking to contact your birth parents or you are just looking for information that will enable you to research your family tree, the challenges are the same. Beginning in the 1930s, the court system began to be involved in adoptions and adoption records were “sealed” to protect the privacy of everyone involved. Each state has its own statute regarding the confidentiality of adoption materials, so information may be more difficult to access in some states than in others. The following resources may aid you in your search for information about your adoption or the adoption of one of your ancestors:
*State agency records
*Private adoption agency records
*Census data
*Birth certificates and amended birth certificates
*Guardianship records
*Hospital records
*Probate court records
If you are conducting genealogical research and you come across an adoption in your family tree, you may have an even more difficult search ahead of you. The further back in history the adoption occurred, the more trouble you may encounter trying to verify information about it. This is because for much of our nation’s history, adoptions were rather informal and were rarely discussed, let alone recorded.
Often, the most difficult piece of information to find is the name of the adoptee’s birth parents. This is especially true in modern adoptions where the records are sealed. If you can somehow find out the name of one or both birth parents, your search for other information will be much easier. If you are the adoptee, one potential way to find your birth parents’ names and other information is to register yourself on adoption reunion websites.
Genealogical research can be both technically difficult and emotionally taxing for adoptees. Be patient with yourself and with the process, and allow yourself time and space to experience the feelings that come up. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for support. Your friends, family, and other adoptees can be excellent sources of support as you go through the process of discovering your roots.