Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Here is the link for this newly named website. Many of you may be familiar... more

A social security number consists of nine digits separated by a hyphen. The first three digit field is called the area number. The middle two numbers is called the group number and the final four numbers are called the serial number.

The area numbers (the first three digits of a social security number) are assigned to geographical locations. They were originally assigned the same way that zip codes were later assigned. The area numbers increase from east to west across the United States like zip codes do. The area numbers are... more

The first is “You’re special because you’re adopted”. Why do adoptive parents have to say this? We all know that many of us adoptees thought through the years that if this was true, we weren’t special or there was something wrong with us for our natural mother to relinquish us to adoption. Instead, what one could say instead is “you are adopted and this means you are now part of our family and we love you very much. You are a part of your first family too and maybe someday you will meet your natural parents.

The second is “You were... more

``I've been wanting to tell you something," she said in a near-whisper. ``But I was afraid." Adams leaned toward his mother, whose curly white hair framed her narrow face. ``David," she said, looking straight at him. ``You're adopted."

Story about an 70 year old adoptee. This story is a real doozy! The adoptee was told about his adoption when he was 70 years old. His adoptive mom was... more

Want to do some research? Homework? I have an exercise that I would love as many readers as possible to undertake. Make a trip to your local library or book store, and ask for books on adoption search and reunion. Also, check out the number of books available for people wanting to adopt. Look too for books on birth parents, stories and support. Then come back & let me know what you discover. If I didn’t know that the numbers of adoption searchers were very high, I might believe that there is not a large enough a market for such books. I have not spoken to any book... more

Things happen in life that are out of our control sometimes. We cannot always get what we want, when we want it. Giving birth and raising a child is a miraculous privilege. We cannot always entirely control when and if a woman becomes pregnant - it is a gift.

Women who are infertile know that getting pregnant and/or sustaining a pregnancy is not always possible. I wish that we did not lose sight of what a miracle a child can be even if the timing of a pregnancy may not fit one's timetable. There are valid reasons that adoption may be best for one's child. I am just... more

Blogger Heather just wrote a terrific blog which made me think about priorities in relation to adoption. She put into words some thoughts that I have been pondering lately. The wonderful book, "The Surprise Child" reinforced my belief that if a woman is unexpectedly pregnant, it is possible to shift gears, embrace your pregnancy and child and lovingly raise your child. While it may not always be feasible, I think it is something to strongly consider.... more

4. Try to do your own research in person. Some adoptees try to do their research long distance or hire private investigators. When the investigators check records or you send letters, the comment "the records don't exist" will begin sounding like a broken record. When someone other than yourself begins checking old court, hospital, and even vital statistics records at the state level, this is a very common answer. This is especially true when the questions are handled by mail. Many adoptees who actually go to the hospital, courthouse, or state archives later find the records... more

How to begin your search:

1. Try not to offend the people who raised you and love you. This is easier said than done. Some adoptees wait until their adoptive parents are dead, but this can also hurt your search later on as possible clues either vanish, or people that were familiar with the situation also die.

- explain your reasons (your desire to know is NOT a rejection of the people who raised you). In some cases, your adoptive parents, relatives, and local clergy at their church may know some or all the details about your adoption.

- ask them... more

In Part 1, I was discussing the records that an adoptee received after petitioning the court to obtain his records. His birth parents' names were blocked out in most spots on the documents. Although the clerk left the birth parents' names readable in several spots, in this particular instance, it did not help us to find the birth dad. (Birth mom had an affair while her husband was away in the service and had since passed away – taking the secret of the birth father with her.) The birth mother had listed, not the birth father’s name, but her husband’s name on the birth certificate.... more