What all is in adoption records?

Question

I am in Alberta and adoption records were opened to us in 2005, as far as I know I could just send a form and they send them to me unless bmom veto'd. I've never seen a big deal with having them so I never bothered but I have seen so much talk about how important they are I wanted to know what would be in them. I had a brief medical history in my papers, I don't need any other information. I don't want any personal information like names and things, I don't want her to have mine either. Anyone know what is in these records and if she is able to get mine? Do they work both ways, if I get hers she gets mine? Will I have to veto if I don't want her to have any information on me? Are they really that important to get?

Answer 1

In some Cases a Whole lot of heartache.

So be prepared for a box of pandora.

I found out when i was 30 years old that I had a OLDER Sister, so she was kept and I was not

I found out 11 years later past that when i got my COMPLETE File that my parents KNEW that information at the time of my adoption

Just be prepared.

Do I wish I had never got the file/s - ?? - answer NO

Its still important to know who you are

Its still important to know who you are FOR YOUR CHILDREN or even your childrens children...

Answer 2

I don't know about how things work there - but some of the docs I received included social worker notes pertaining to my relinquishment. Family background info - reasons for relinquishment etc.

I also received my original birth cert - with no father named - as this was the 'way' in the 60's in Australia.

The social worker notes do show info of his family - but they have blackened out the surname - as he wasn't officially named on my OBC - so they weren't allowed to give me that info. (I have since found him)

As for 'wanting' the info - that's a completely personal thing.

I wanted to fill in the pieces of me - and without contact - the papers allowed some of the pieces to be known.

To me they were/are very important - and I'm very glad that I was allowed to obtain them without too much trouble.

In my country/state - I could have placed a Veto - if I didn't want contact - so could my mother. She didn't - and I didn't.

In my papers were details of a sister - born 5 years before me - also adopted out. She placed a Veto - and I had to sign to say that I wouldn't attempt contact - or I'd be fined. Then they told me her adoptive name and the names of her parents.

She has since removed the Veto - which she placed due to encouragement from her a-parents - as they were worried the 'birth-family' would come looking for money!!!!

Absurd - I think.

Her and I have a wonderful relationship.

I have not heard of any mother or child searching for money.

I've only known of peeps searching for info - to find out if family are still alive - to find answers to questions - to put minds at ease - to assure people that things worked out OK - etc etc etc.

I seriously have not heard of any trying to intently upset or hurt any other.

If I was contacted - and I didn't want it - it would be easy enough to say so. Funnily enough - I've heard so many first mothers say that they wouldn't go searching - because they feel that it's up to the adoptee!

As for particulars about Alberta - sorry can't help you - but just thought I'd share what I found.

ETA: there were also some hospital type records within my docs and dates - when my mother signed relinquishing me - when my a-parents signed collecting me.

Answer 3

I'm not sure about Alberta.  But my understanding about most open records legislation is that it opens the records to the adoptee, not to the first mother, or anyone else.  

Are they important to get?  That's a very individual question.  For me, they tell part of my story.  Being denied them, I am denied something that no other citizen is denied.  Records, held by the government, pertaining to me.  To me, they are extremely important.  It bothers me that these records exist but I'm denied access.

But if you don't feel that way, then they aren't important to you.  (Maybe you'll change your mind at some point, but that's another issue.)  Maybe you send for them out of curiosity?  Or maybe you don't care and don't send for them at all?  They aren't like a credit report (in the States) where you want to see what's in them for your own good.  Whether they are important to you is up to you.  Only you can answer the question as to whether they are important to you.