I have a brother that was put up for adoption in 1972. My mother passed away in 1986.?

Question

I have minimal info. I think his name was Jamie Harrington. His mother is Helen Harrington and he was born at Philadelphia General Hospital which is now Univ of Penn hospital. I don't know the date of his birth or his father's name. This has been a long and hard search. Everyone says if he doesn't want to be found you are not going to find him. The adoption was in Philadelphia, Pa. He was born in 1972 or 73. My mother use to check his records periodically but she died of a heart attack at the age of 30 before I could get any information about the adoption from her. She lived at 58th and Girard Ave. at the time of his birth. He has two younger sisters (La'tia Harrington and Michelle Harrington). I am his older brother James Harrington. I just want a chance to make sure he is doing good and is ok wiht his life. Please help me in anyway you can. Thank you.

Answer 1

http://ungratefullittlebastard.blogspot....

An adoptee, who is searching in the same state, please she has some good PA links for searchers on her blog.

Unfortunately PA only honors adoptees and adoptive parents requests into files for the adoption.

You may try taking a consent to release your information along with your mothers death certificate and have the agency put it into the adoptees file should he come looking.

I am so sorry about your mothers death. Thats tragic, such a young age. Good luck on your search...here is the law JUST incase you're looking to read it

http://adopteerights.net/nulliusfilius/?...

Pennsylvania

Who May Access Information

Citation: Cons. Stat. t*t. 23, § 2905

Information may be accessed by:

The adopted person who is age 18 or older

If the adopted person is under age 18, his or her adoptive parent or legal guardian

•

•

Access to Nonidentifying Information

Citation: Cons. Stat. t*t. 23, § 2905

The home study and preplacement report, as required by § 2530, shall be made available to parties to an adoption proceeding only after all identifying names and addresses in the report have been deleted by the court. Upon petition by any person listed above, the court shall release to the adopted person as much information concerning the adopted person’s natural parents as will not endanger the anonymity of the natural parents.

Mutual Access to Identifying Information

Citation: Cons. Stat. t*t. 23, § 2905

Any person listed above may petition the court to attempt to contact the natural parents, if known, to obtain their consent to release their identity and present place of residence to the adopted person. The court shall ensure that no one but the natural parents are informed of the adopted person’s existence and relationship to them. The petitioner

may also request the agency that placed the adopted person to contact the natural parents. If the court or an agency contacts the natural parents, information relating to both natural parents shall only be disclosed if both natural parents agree to the disclosure. If both of the natural parents are deceased, their identities may be

disclosed. If one parent is deceased, his or her identity may be disclosed. If only one parent agrees to the disclosure, then only the information relating to the consenting parent shall be disclosed. The natural parents may, at the time of the termination of their parental rights or at any time thereafter, place on file a consent form granting permission for the court or the department to disclose any identifying or nonidentifying

information about them, at any time after the adopted person reaches age 18 or, if less than age 18, to his or her adoptive parent or legal guardian.

Access to Original Birth Certificate

Citation: Cons. Stat. t*t. 23, § 2905

No disclosure shall be made regarding the adopted person’s original birth certificate unless the disclosure is made pursuant to the provisions of this section.

The natural parents may, at the time of the termination of their parental rights or at any time thereafter, place on file, with the court and with the Department of Health, a consent form granting permission for the court or the department to disclose the information contained in the adopted person’s original birth certificate at any time after the adopted persons reaches age 18 or, if less than age 18, to his or her adoptive parent or legal guardian. If both parents give their consent, the information on the birth certificate may be disclosed. If only one parent gives consent, only the identity of the consenting parent shall be disclosed.

Where the Information Can Be Located

Adoption Medical History Registry, Office of Children, Youth, and Families

Contact:

Jewell McCliment

Adoption Medical History Registry

Hillcrest, Second Floor

PO Box 2675

Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675

[phone]

[phone]

[e-mail]

http://www.adoptpakids.org/paemedicalhis... Lollo

Adoption Medical History Registry

Hillcrest, Second Floor

PO Box 2675

Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675

[phone]

[phone]

[e-mail]

http://www.adoptpakids.org/paemedicalhis...

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

http://members.tripod.com/~rombergers/ma...

http://www.genlookups.com/pa.htm

http://www.isrr.net/

good luck!

Answer 2

Hi James,

First I'd like to thank Gersh for the link to my blog. Please do EVERYTHING she's listed, ESPECIALLY joining the PA Find group at

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

There are a lot of us Philly folk there.

I'm not sure if your brother's adoption was done through an agency or if it was private. But the good news is that the person in charge of adoption queries at the Philadelphia County Court is fantastic, and will definitely help you as much as she is able under Pennsylvania state law. Please, please join the PAFind group,and they will be able to guide you further.

I am so sorry about your mother.