Can anybody tell me where to find help for this situation?

Question

I am an adult adoptee that is trying to locate my birth mother but in reality ANY of my birth family would be a blessing to find. I was adopted in NY (State) and maybe 12 years ago or so I did obtain some records but almost everything was blacked out. I got my first and midddle name term of carriage, what anesthesia was used in delivery, and a few notes from my foster parents (whom adopted me). That's it. I'm almost sure of the hospital (west point) . My parents said they would help me if I wanted to know but they passed when I was only 20, and then I didn't really care about knowing. I dropped it for years but as I'm getting older I desire to know more- not necessarily meet. I have tried several registries but most are poorly organized so far. I can't get the records opened so far as I tried that. I don't mind spending some $, but if I do I want to know it's on something that has helped others in the same boat working with very limited info- no name for a parent. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

A couple of these answers were more related to activism then truly helping you.  While laws changing in the future would help you in the future, this will help you now.  G's adoption registry are WONDERFUL people.  They have registered search angels who will find your birthfamily for free using whatever info you have.  They have been doing this for a long time and know the "ins and outs" of the system and how to legally bypass it.  Go to http://www.gsadoptionregistry.com/howthe...

Answer 2

try going to the hospital and trying to contact ur birth doctor or somethin go to the hospitals they always keep records of everything so i dont see why they woent help you or you could also look up and see ur ethnic background in accestory.com

i looked it up and its like so true and its alright you know at least you have a family that cares about you it might not be your parents like the offfical ones but at least they care for you as the real ones would have

Answer 3

Come to http://www.adultadoptees.org

and

Get involved with http://www.unsealedinitiative.org

New York A2277 - Unsealed Initiative has been taking on the legislation in New York for YEARS. They are trying to pass the bill for adoptees and access to our records in NY.

The New York State Adoption Information Registry is located here:

http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_reco...

Search & Support (excellent place for help, I know Joan, who runs it personally and shes ontop of her searching! I'd start here!)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nyadoptees...

Adoption Crossroads has bbq’s and healing weekends for family separated by adoption also :)

Don’t forget ISRR <<< a MUST! http://www.isrr.net

Answer 4

Help change the archaic and discriminatory laws!

Join the fight to reinstate Adult Adoptees as equal citizens under the law regarding access to the true and factual circumstances of their birth

Lobby day is March 4th in Albany.  Details of the NY Bill of Adoptee Rights here:

http://www.unsealedinitiative.org/

Join the Adoptee Rights Protest at the National Convention of State Legislators in New Orleans July 22 2008.  Details here

http://adopteerights.net/nulliusfilius/

Answer 5

I know what it's like. I am trying to find my great-grandparents, and all I know is my grandpa's name (after he was adopted) and that my great-grandparents' last name was Peña. That's not your problem and you probably don't care, so anyways.... I have been doing some research, and all I have to say on your part, is that you personally, as an American citizen, have the rights to whatever you want to know, especially about yourself. And when they blackout things, that's going against your rights. And if they try to say, "Well we can't retreive those records.", that is a buncha bull. They will try to keep it all from everyone, but they really can't do that because people have rights. That's all there is to it. You can ask for those documents without it being blacked out. And if they refuse to give them to you, just say, "I know my rights, I want those records, and I am not going to stop at anything to get them.". That's my advice. I may be kinda young, but I sure do know what my rights are. Been through too much to not know. =]