One of the essential keys in searching for your natural family is finding other natural family members that have lived and died.

I recently learned that the Asbury Park Press has launched a New Jersey death record search feature at www.app.com/DataUniverse This site will help you find information from what the governors paid to how many math teachers are in your child’s school or what prices the homes on your block sold for as well as much more. This site has a host of powerful and searchable public databases... more

Just as there are many reasons for a birth parent to want to undertake a search, there are also a wide of motivating factors for adoptees to search. In my discussions with adoptees, I have never heard one person express the thought that their search indicates any lack of love and affection for their birth parents.

If fact, even adoptees whose upbringing in their adoptive families has been hellacious still do not want to hurt them. They may occasionally search for another family that treats them better, is more like them or understands them better.

However,... more

You might say James Garritani had them at hello. But then, this family bond was meant to be.

Last week, I mentioned that I intend to post a reunion story each Monday in 2007. As promised, here is my reunion story for the week. There is a great deal to learn from them.

When I offer various reunion stories to you, I am personally drawn to the happier stories. I imagine that reporters who write these stories prefer... more

For an adopted child to search, even as an adult, it takes enormous courage. In many stories about adoption searches, adoptees express the fear of hurting their adoptive parents. Many adoptees worry that it might appear ungrateful for them to search. A recent survey said that over half of all adoptees do not tell their adoptive parents about a search until it is concluded.

Fears about hurting their adoptive parents cause many adoptees to postpone a search until their adoptive parents have passed away. Some are staunchly afraid of appearing ungrateful or disloyal.... more

  Remember Sarah? She is the 18 year adoptee who told me:

“I have been waiting all my life to turn 18 so that I could do this (search for her birth mom). "

  Some young adoptees talk about wanting to find their birth parents, but when it comes to action they are not ready to proceed. Sarah had already gotten her non-identifying information by the time she contacted me. She also had copies of some... more

In Ohio access to adoption records, obtaining non identifying information is available to adult adoptees, natural parents, and siblings if the adoption was finalized before January 1, 1964 or after September 18, 1996. If the adoption was finalized between January 1, 1964 and September 18, 1996 adopted adults must petition the probate court to receive information. Ohio considers the age of adulthood to be 21 years of age.

In order to obtain identifying information an adult adoptee whose adoption was finalized between January 1, 1964 and before September 18,... more

We wouldn't have cared a bit about the mistakes she had made. We wouldn't have judged her. We would have understood.

Adoption stories are in the news often these days. However, I never tire of reunion stories as many have such varied and interesting twists and turns. This story is no exception.

I loved the positive attitude of the adoptee in this story as well. She could have become embittered... more

Adoptions finalized on or after September 1, 1999 an original birth certificate will be available to adult adoptees unless confidentiality has been requested by natural parents or a sibling in the same adoptive family is less than 18. The adult adoptee will need to provide a certified court order to CO Health Statistics and Vital Records indicating that no restrictions apply to the release of the original birth certificate, report and/or decree of adoption and other correspondence in sealed file.

In addition natural parents are not entitled... more

"I never wanted to hurt her feelings, or make her feel that I didn't appreciate what she had done for me by adopting me," said Bennette.

Sherri Bennette's comment above is such a typical one, but it always saddens me to think that so many still consider a search a personal affront to adoptive parents. A search is a personal quest and generally a much needed experience. People search because they want to satisfy their curiosity. Sometimes they may want to expand their circle of family by including birth family. A search is more a... more

No matter what part of the adoption triad you are I am sure that you have heard that China is changing its guidelines for adoption and implementing some restrictions. As perspective adoptive parents my husband and I have spoken regarding this subject with our family members and other triad members. It surprises me the reactions that we have received and all have been basically the same.

As an American, I guess we are all use to “fair play” The article at http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650218430,00.html... more