[Sammy'sMom]

This is not a new story for all of you. But it's new to me. And its a little scary.
After years of feeling guilty about what this would do to my adopted mother, I have come to a critical point - I need to find my birth parents to find some peace and also my sense of place in this world.
These are my very first steps so I'm looking for some basic pointers or ideas. It's hard to know even where to start. I just know I need to.
My stats: I was born Sept. 18, 1968 at Boston General. I was placed with a family in Boston that ultimately had four adopted children - two girls, two boys.
Thank you for any guidance.

[BrandyHagz]

Sam

Very first, send for Non-ID from the agency that handled the adoption or from the state if it was handled that way.

You might want to also get in touch with a searcher....most do not charge for their services...and the ones that do, will only charge you what it costs them to search...people that charge more arent worth it, so be careful!

Good luck with your search!

[Sammy'sMom]

Brandy - thank you very much for your advice. Here's a little proof of my rookie status/ignorance in in this kind of search: what is a Non-ID? And what's the best way to locate and contact a searcher....

[radiodoll]

Hey there! I completely relate to the "here we go"! it IS a roller coaster ride and the good gang on this site reminds me all of the time that it;s the JOURNEY and not necessarily the DESTINATION which we come to discover changes us forever.

I am Massachussets as well. if I can help, I will!

I started by requesting copies of my amended birth certificates - purchasing copies from 2 locations (they turned out to be different.) 1 copy came from the city in which I was born. Then second was on file in the State Capitol office Dept of family services. They offered me different starting points. I don't know that the legislation is for Mass., but call the Dept of Family Services in Boston (see if the have an adoption specialist at this office) and get the rules. This will tell you how much "legal" leeway you have.

Then the "fun" begins. Do you already have any info? You should be allowed to request what is called "non-identifying" info from your adoption file. You will have to submit paperwork to do this. The DFS will be able to tell you how.

PM me anytime or leave a message on this thread.

I wish you great luck!

Radiodoll

[NancyJo]

Most adoptees are entitled to receive "non-identifying" information about their biological families.
The information includes things like physical characteristics such as hair and eye color, height, weight, etc; hobbies and interests; family members and siblings; ages of family members; occupations, etc. But nothing with a NAME.
Non-id info is sometimes interesting but usually not too helpful in a search unless there are unique items noted.
Good luck! Contact the agency and/or the state department of adoption services in your state.

[BrandyHagz]

Non-ID, should the agency or state have it, is non-identifying information about your birth parents...it basicly gives you everything but a name....that is, if they provided it. Not all b-parents do, and if they did...not all states/agencies provide it at will....

Its really just a good place to start your search....


As for a searcher, I cant really make a suggestion on any one searcher. Each searcher has a specialty as to the state they can/will search in. My suggestion, go to google or something and type in: Massachusetts Adoption Registry

Then click on EVERY one of them and register.

Also, http://www.isrr.com has a great registry, altho I think you have to mail that one in.

Also, try to go to http://www.vsn.org its a group of free search angels..actually its more like a network...you go to their site, and send them everything you have on your birth (DOB POB stuff like that) and they try to match you with a searcher/searchers that deal with that area...I've never used them, but I have seen them mentioned a lot.

Good luck!

[Sammy'sMom]

Man, you people rock. Thanks! This gives me a healthy to-do list to get started. Thanks also for the support. Wow.