If you adopted in or were adopted and born in or adopted in Massachusetts this may be of interest to you.

The Center for Family Connections is conducting a survey to research the impact of attempts to access original birth certificates in order to affect change in the law to gain access to birth certificates for all parents of adopted children under 18 years as well as adopted young adults and adults over 18 years of age.

The deadline for the survey is Sunday, March 18th and you can pass it on to any one who may be interested. The link is at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?A=183023480E95930

The beginning of the survey asks some basic questions such as whether you were born in Massachusetts and whether you were adopted in Massachusetts as well as how old where you when you were adopted. The questions then change focus and ask how you have been adversely affected by your birth certificate being sealed. They are looking for specifics to physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Additional questions include whether you have been stigmatized by because your original birth certificate is sealed, has your family been harmed in any way because your original birth certificate is sealed. The questions also ask for you thoughts on access to original birth certificates and why it is important for you to know your original surname.

The second series of questions pertains to whether or not you have attempted to have your original birth certificate unsealed through the probate court or not. If not you can skip and go to the next page. If you have, there are approximately 15 questions to answer depending on whether you were successful or not.

The last question is offering an opportunity for triad members who are interested in approaching the courts for access to birth certificates as a civil right. If you are interested you need to provide your contact information. If you are not interested you are not required to provide contact information.

The entire survey contains 26 questions and depending on your situation not all of them would be needed to answer. The survey can take as long as you want to complete depending on how lengthy your answers are to some of the questions.