The photo above was taken at an event called RegDay(Registration Day). RegDay is an annual event to increase public awareness of the International Soundex Reunion Registry; a free humanitarian service better known as ISRR. This event happens once a year all over the country in different sites. RegDay sites are coordinated and run generally by triad members. Included in this photo are three birth moms, including me at a bookstore where our RegDay event was held in 2003. We also had an equal number of adoptees volunteering at our site.

ISRR is a non-profit mutual consent registry dedicated to reuniting adult family members separated by adoption, divorce, or other dislocation. ISRR has reunited thousands of adults all over the world.

RegDay is organized by the Adoption Registration Coalition, a network of volunteers from various search and support, adoption reform, and adoptee rights activist groups. I have organized two RegDay sites and found it to be a very rewarding experience. The visitors to our tables varied from a young adoptee in her early 20's interested in registering and searching to an adoptee in her 70's who was still interested in finding some birth family members. One birth mom I spoke to over the phone called me because she could not attend the event said she had placed her son for adoption over 50 years ago! She hesitantly told me it might seem silly, but, that she still wondered about him. Of course, I told her that it did not seem silly at all to me.

For adopted people who wish to search for lost kin, state laws permanently sealing adoption records can make it that much more difficult. Original birth certificates are even sealed in cases of step-parent adoption. RegDay can be a source for information on a variety of records-access reform issues of interest to both the adoption and genealogy communities.

RegDay visitors can obtain assistance in filling out ISRR registration forms, and receive referrals to local resources. At our sites, we provided not only information and forms for ISRR, but, also info about local support groups, tips for search and reunion and several other useful hand-outs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who Can Register?
1. Any child/adoptee who is 18 years of age or older.
2. Birth parents, siblings and birth relatives.
3. Adoptive parents of adoptees who are still under the age of 18.

How Does It Work?
When a registration is received the information is computerized. If data matches and the ISRR registrar determines a relationship exists, both parties will be notified immediately.

What We Do

The International Soundex Reunion Registry is a non-profit, tax exempt, humanitarian agency founded in 1975 by Emma May Vilardi. ISRR is a mutual consent reunion registry for persons desiring a reunion with next-of-kin.

This agency serves the needs of family members who have been separated from each other by adoption, divorce, foster care institutional care, abandonment, etc.

How Is The Registry Funded?
ISRR is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation funded entirely by your donations.

How Much Does It Cost?

There is no fee for this service. All contributions are tax deductible. The generosity of each registrant will enable this registry to provide for the reunions of tomorrow.

How Long Will A Registration Be Kept on File?

Registrations are kept active until there is a match or notification is received that you have been reunited and wish it removed. It is helpful to ISRR if registrants let us know when their search is complete. It is also vital that registrants keep their address and phone number current so they can be contacted quickly in the event of a match.

ISRR Policy
This registry does not perform a search or provide search advice.

Voluntary registration by adults desiring contact or reunion with their next-of-kin by birth, is deemed legal consent for contact between parties to a match.

Registrants are held responsible for all information provided on their form and any documentation attached thereto.

ISRR will notify you only when a "match" is made. If you want confirmation that your form has been received you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your registration.

RegDay has historically been held in October, but the organizers are considering changing the date in 2006. I will update you once I know about the date for this event in 2006.


Learn more about RegDay at:

http://www.adopteerights.org/regday/


Learn more about the ISRR from the official ISRR web site at:

http://www.isrr.net/about_isrr.shtml