Your non-identifying information may not seem particularly useful in the beginning of your search. However, later on, it can provide many clues which may help you narrow your search. To make the best use of your non-id, I suggest that you spend some time with someone who really understands the clues it contains.

For instance:

 It could help you to narrow down the states in which you search. If your non-identifying info states where your birth mom grew up, you know that could be one state to search in. Many birth moms left their homes, or were sent away to give birth.

 If your birth parents' ages are listed on your non-id, that would help narrow down people with similar names once you begin to search databases.

 If your birth parents’ nationalities are listed, that fact might help to narrow your search;

 If your birth grandparents' ages are mentioned, you could figure out if they would still be alive today. If not, you might consider looking at the Social Security death index, and also looking for their obituaries. Obituaries can be very useful as they may mention not only the next of kin, but, where they lived at the time of the death.

 If the non-id provides occupations for your parents, you might be able to trace them through professional organizations.

 If you know that your birth mother grew up in the same area where you were born and adopted, and you know that she was in school at the time, you can check with either local schools or libraries. Most libraries will do "look-ups" for you in high school annuals, obituaries, etc. either for a nominal fee or free. Once you have a school narrowed down, you might try Classmates.com and Reunion.com. If you do not have a subscription, you can usually find someone who does to check there for you.

 If your birth parents’ race(s) are listed that helps narrow the search. It also might provide clues if they were an interracial couple as to part of the reason for your relinquishment. Interracial relationships were much less accepted in days past than they are now, and race could have played a part in your birth parents being discouraged from parenting you.

 If you have male siblings, uncles, etc., once you get a family name, they will be easier to trace than female birth family who may change their last names through marriage and/or divorce.

I will go into more detail later as to how the specific information provided on the non-id can be useful in narrowing your search. A subsequent post will also discuss how the non-id info is compiled and the accuracy of the information that you may be provided.