Question Regarding Sealed Adoption Records...?

Question

My great grandfather was adopted in the state of Pensylvania. He passed away a couple of years ago, and we do not know who his birth parents are. It has always bothered me that I don't know that side of my heritage. I'm not really sure about the laws regarding adoption records, but I'm almost positive that they're sealed. However, are they sealed forever? The adoption took place about 80 years ago. Is there any way I could find out the records, even if it took legal action?

Any help is appriciated. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

It is very likely in that era, he was not formally adopted but changed his name legally. Your best bet is to contact the county court which would have handled that. You can also check census records and see how he is recorded with his family. Many records are online that could help you.

Answer 2

I really hate to tell you this, but few records that far back were "sealed".  More of them were simply destroyed.  Even if they were sealed, they're probably sitting in some dusty storehouse somewhere, not catalogged or anything.  

My great-grandmother had a son in her first marriage who began to display signs of extreme violence in late childhood.  Unable to care for him (remember how long ago this was) they allowed the state to take him and put him in the hospital.  We're not even able to get confirmation on whether or not he's alive or dead!

Answer 3

If the state does not have the records, you might consider searching through the records of his religious group, if he had one.  

I've heard that sealed records become unsealed after 99 years...but I've never been able to confirm that information.

Answer 4

Unfortunately it is difficult to gather information from that far back.  My mother has been trying to do a family tree for our family and researching information can be somewhat difficult, even when it isn't related to sealed adoption records.  If the site Possum gave you doesn't help, you may also want to try some of the genealogy websites.  They may be able to give you a few pointers also.  

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Here is a link to each states current adoption records laws -

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

Click on the applicable state - and perhaps you could start with the contact details there to find if these same laws applied for your great grandfather.

Sorry - I haven't any other ideas.

Good luck.