Most searches ultimately result in finding an adopted child or a birth parent. Even when you do not ultimately locate the object of your search, the journey usually provides some resolution and answers. An adoption search is a complex process and often a time for much healthy reflection and processing your adoption loss. No matter what the outcome, some healing can take place. It probably may not happen immediately, although some birth mothers have reported rapid improvement in their health or attitude about life after finding their child. For most... more

This site will tell you the story of Bessie Bernard.

Bessie Bernard was a part of a baby peddling ring in the 1940s which charged as much as two thousand dollars per baby, which was a lot of money at that time.

Many of the unwed mothers were found in the Miami Florida area and once the babies were born they were brought north and were sold in New York and nearby states.

Bessie Bernard was charged with conspiracy and illegal placement for adoption in December... more

Bethany Christian Adoption Agencies is expanding their horizons. Read here for the details.

Bethany Christian has 75 offices nationwide. They are a very well known, aggressive agency. With a new grant of $500,000, Bethany is now initiating a new program to promote marriage for unmarried mothers. Although this article says that “adoption will remain their mainstay”, the new program will encourage young pregnant women to consider marriage and parenting. Reading this... more

Here is one of the stories regarding New Jersey's attempt to open their adoption records.

Those who are adopted often have questions about their personal backgrounds and now, New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it easier for those adoptees to get their answers.

This may be the same article that Jenna blogged about, but I wanted to talk about it anyway. I keep reading over and over that birth mothers' privacy needs to be protected.... more

Susi is an educated, bilingual Guatemalan hired by adoptive parents who wish to locate their Guatemalan children's birth mothers.... But most often she'll travel throughout Guatemala, often deep into the countryside, to knock on the door of a woman who hasn't received news of a child she placed for adoption years before.

This interview caught my eye. It is an between a Guatemalan searcher and an adoptive parent. The searcher says that she has conducted 193 searches... more

If nothing else, the huge number of comments that her blog received have many bloggers green with envy. However, I think there is little chance that any of us can come close to matching M.’s satirical expertise. Like her or not, agree with her or not, she is one witty, sharp-tongued diva of the written word.

The diverse reactions came as no surprise. Whenever you talk about the “B” word (that’s birthmother)there will be hot and heavy debates swirling all over the place. That is not what surprised me. What I found somewhat of a revelation... more

Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month. While all adoption-related issues are important, the particular focus of this month is the adoption of children currently in foster care.

Activities and celebrations are kicked off nationally with a Presidential Proclamation, and while efforts made at the national level certainly help build awareness of adoption, participation in local programs, events, and activities by those of us with a direct connection to adoption can often be the most effective way to promote positive perceptions,... more

As an "out of the closet", reunited birth mother, I often blog about the horrors of the baby scoop era, coercion in adoption, etc. I have decided to try for one blog or so a week about my "other life". While adoptive moms are living with adoption raising their children, I mostly just write about it now.

My other life is often most lively and enjoyable when I am with my daughter and granddaughter, and often the rest of their family. The subject of adoption rarely crops up. My daughter does not care to discuss the subject.

Last Sunday,... more

I developed this searcher’s check list in hopes that it would help many of your searching. I have added some humor to lighten things up as well. Searching is an emotional roller coaster and of course we need humor sometimes to make things easier. At any rate, this is not an all inclusive checklist but is a good starting point for triad members embarking on a search for those who were separated through adoption.

To Do

____ Take the time to figure out what searching means to you. ____ Obtain a copy of the adoption records law... more

Whatever the purpose of your searching, whether it is medical curiosity, a void that perhaps you have felt for a long time, Jan and I are here and will continue to try and find new ways and avenues to help people in their search and reunion issues.

If you are an adoptive parent, assisting your son or daughter, this blog may hopefully help you to understand the needs one has as an adoptee and to help you understand the biological makeup of the child you love and care about. We adoptees became your children and in most cases we have... more