You will want to contact the agency that facilitated the adoption and inquire if they assist in searching. The agency is also likely to have names and addresses of overseas contacts. Depending on the response from the agency, the next step would be to make a personal connection with someone in the birth country.

I think we will all agree that adoption is a lifelong process and for many triad members that process includes the desire to search. This is normal as is that response that the remainder of the triad members have which are those who never have the longing to search. The difference in reactions has nothing to do with individual situations or the experience but rather the unique individuals who are adopted.

International Search is something that I haven’t really focused on but as these children become adults they are going to be seeking search assistance, advice and guidance. Many of the national search and support group’s focuses are not on international adoption search. Many, but not all’s main focus is the closed adoption era and providing support to natural mothers and adoptee.

Family and friends can be invaluable when it comes to support, comfort, and encouragement. However, it is important to know other adotpees who have searched and personally understand your experience.

Some international adoption search and/or support resources I have been able to locate are:

CANADopt located at http://www.canadopt.ca/index.htm This group was formed in 1996 when it was realized that the folks involved had something in common which was that their adoption issues in some way dealt with Canada. Some were searching within Canada for other members of the triad and others were living in Canada but searching elsewhere.

Canada Phone Listings can be found at the web address http://www.canada411.ca/.

International White Pages is located at http://www.whitepages.com/10001/intl_directories. This page contains a listing of all the countries that you can search for an individual using this site. The countries include but may not be limited to England, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland.

Parent Finders is located at http://members.aol.com/pfncr/index.html. Parent Finders is a support group and private registry located in Ottawa. Adoptees over 18, natural parent, fostered adults, siblings, and relatives are welcome to join this group. If you are under the age of 18 you are welcome to join with written permission from a parent or legal guardian.