[Misa]

Birth certificate shows hospital Valley Presbyterian in Van Nuys. Dob: 04-11-69. Doctor signed on 04-12-69. Adoption finalized in New Jersey in June or July of 1970. Does the name Lupo ring a bell?

[beth1965]

How's this for bell ringing?

Baby's name: Melissa S Lupo
DOB: 11 Apr 1969
Female
Mother's Maiden Name: Spinetta
County: Los Angeles

[Misa]

I already have that information. That's me. There are 2 entries for me on the CA birth registry. Supposedly, there was an entry error and my info (i guess adopted info) was entered on the birth registry. There is also an entry for Baby Girl Morris, supposedly. I say supposedly because I am relying on info from a "search angel" and, nothing against search angels, but any information I get from anyone concerning my whole adoption I take with a grain of salt. "Supposedly" my birth cert # is listed twice on the registry...once with the Lupo information, then again with nothing except Morris...

Now, I recently found out that I was born in California, but the adoption was finalized in New Jersey. Sigh...why can't a member of my birth family just finally do a internet search so I can stop this stupid paper puzzle chase.....

[beth1965]

214 girls born in LA county on your birthday. Makes for a difficult search. I see the Morris, but also others. My source doesn't show certificate numbers. Haven't found the one that does - would love to have it!
Have you tried the New Jersey confidential intermediary program or obtained non-identifying or identifying information?

State of New Jersey Confidential Intermediary: Confidential intermediary services are provided through the registry.

State of New Jersey Adoption Registry: The following persons may use the registry: adopted adults, adoptive parents of minor adoptee, and birth parents. At the request of an adopted adult, or of a minor adoptee with permission from his or her adoptive parents, the registry will conduct a search for birth relative(s) who have not registered.

Contact:
New Jersey Department of Human Services (for public agency adoptions only)
Division of Youth and Family Services
Adoption Registry Coordinator
PO Box 717
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 984-6800
(609) 292-8816


For adoption related information and records:
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Youth and Family Services
50 East State Street, 5th Floor, CN 717
Trenton, NJ 08625-0717
(609) 984-2380
Fax: (609) 984-5449

Non-Identifying Information: Adopted adults, adoptive parents of a minor adoptee, or birth parents can receive non-identifying information through the registry.

Identifying Information: Identifying information is provided through a registry.

[Misa]

I tried the registry in New Jersey. I called and it does not apply to me. I was privately adopted out of Caifornia. I'm in the process of petitioning the courts in New Jersey for my adoption records. Just need to get the papers notarized and hopefully my letter will sway the judge to release them. I don't even want to meet the woman or any of them, I just want my medical and ethnic background.

Originally, I was only after medical, but then my daughter had a project in school where she had to make a family tree. She left my half of the tree bare. I have to say, that kind of hurt (and I had no idea)...that she sees me that way...

And not for nothing, since I'm on a rant now, with the hereditary links doctors have found to cancer and other fatal diseases, how can the courts NOT let us have our information??? For all I know, my whole birth family can be dead from liver cancer...and if I knew about it, I could modify my lifestyle to lessen my odds of the same fate. Or what if my birth mother had breast cancer? That information changes a woman's entire screening age.

Every year, the closer it gets to my birthday, I get so....argh...

[angellabernett]

i found that anyone can search if they know the last name of them selves as a baby it will be in vital statistics then you can also google info from there and dont forget about my space too lots of kids are signing on there and so are parents and another place is reunion and allsorts of places but typein th elast name and go from there
i have 4 under my serch of which three are mine and the other is my sisters under the last name here and her daughter is still got a bc that says original last name mine that igave up for adoption is just the last name thats all

[Misa]

I finally submitted my petition to the surrogate court to release my adoption records. I have to admit, it took awhile to actually have the nerve to go through with it. Even though I want to find my information, there is still that fear of the unknown.

But, medical reasons now have forced my hand. If anyone reads this entry, please say a prayer that the courts rule in my favor.

I don't want to disrupt anyone's life, I just need to know who I am, not only for me, but for my children...

[Amyie]

Just checking in on you to see if you have heard anything?! GOOD LUCK!

[Misa]

I figured I would update my post. I received my non-id from the court. It hasn't helped me really at all except to confirm baby girl Morris.

There were some dates that weren't blacked out regardeing other children she had and a marriage. I believe I found the woman they interviewed as my birthmother, but on contacting her, she informed me that her daughter (that she's looking for) was born the previous year???

When my parents petitioned the NJ court for my adoption, there seemed to be nothing from the birthmother in the file. All information about me was taken off my certificate of live birth. NJ then requested CA to track down the birthmom and interview her, then submit it to court. Any traceable information I got was off of that interview....which seems to point to the wrong woman....

I also recently found out that the lawyer who handled my case in NJ was indicted in 1976 being "at the center of a baby sale network involving five states" according to a newspaper article from Sept 8, 1976.

Back to the drawing board...sigh....