CAMPBELL-L Archives

From: "bobbiev" <>
Subject: Adoptee's ancestors
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 13:51:41 -500

Hello all,

I have recently come upon a very discriminatory set of laws, in my opinion.

I am a genealogist just like you. Unlike us, my son, who is adopted, cannot
learn who his birthparents are, at least not cheaply nor easily. Most
adoptions in the US are closed. This means the adoptee, when he/she
reaches 21 years of age, can find out certain things about his/her ancestry.
This info costs about $100 and is usually very limited as to anything of value.
The birthparent's names are not given. My son was told by Catholic
Charities, and I am sure it is similar at other adoption agencies, that he
could spend between $300 and $500 to let them search for his birthparents.
When they find them, if they do, the birthparents may say that my son does
not get to know who they are.

Why can he not know his ancesry?

I, too, would like to know his birthparents. I would like to thank them for
giving me the most wonderful gift in the world. I have been so blessed by a
decision which I am sure was difficult for them.

Please consider writing or calling your local and national elected officials to
see if we cannot open up the adoption records for those who, like you and
me, want to trace our ancestry.

Tnanks.

|Bobbie

This thread:

• Adoptee's ancestors by "bobbiev" <>