[kjm69]

Ray,
I am also a B-mom re-united with my daughter born in 1969. She was not lied to and everything she knows is correct although I also have an overwhelming desire to acquire all information from that time. Including her correct and official birth certificate with myself as her mother and her B-dad. We were both 17 at the time of her birth.

Catholic Charities did the adoption and I have been back to the maternity home in Hyattsville, MD. with my daughter. I intend to request a copy of MY records or at least see and read them when we go back at Christmas. I also am preparing to request a copy of her birth certificate from Washington DC where she was born. We also had her baptised at the maternity home and I intend to get a copy of that record as well.

I am still angry to find out that the maternity home encouraged us to make sweater sets, blankets etc for our babies telling us they would go with them, 32 years later I find out it was a lie. I wish I had saved something, but the shame prevented me from doing it.

I am in total agreement that I have the right to any and all records pertaining to my daughters birth. My daughter paid $400 to the courts for the records to be opened. I think since all parties are now aware that the records should be ours to keep.

I know you are an advocate for open adoption records and I have read your posts. I too think they should be open, but only if all parties are agreeable, and after the child is 18. There are so many different stories, and a lot of pain involved. I would advocate intermediaries or "go betweens" if possible. It gives all parties time to think and prepare. We had a social worker who contacted me through a letter and I was able to call her or not as I wished. Of course I called.

Just some ideas.

For Missy: how did you get her Birth certificate?

Janet