[MaLiTh]

I'm not sure if anyone here can help me, but I thought I'd give it a try. I am writing a novel that takes place in a small city in New York during the mid 1970's, '73, '74 and early '75, to be precise. One of the characters is an eight-year-old boy who has lost his parents. He has been placed in the foster care system. There is a childless couple who wants to adopt him. What I need is information on what the adoption procedures were like in that era: average length of time it took, interviews that the prospective parents would have to attend, things like that. Though I can find out plenty of information on what the procedures are now, I've struck out in finding out anything on how it differed back then.

To give you a little more information, the couple already has a close relationship with the boy, the man being his tutor. There are no problems or issues in either the man or woman's history or family background. Finances and employment are not a concern either. The boy's caseworker is all for the adoption, considering the couple to be a perfect match since the boy is exceptionally gifted and would greatly benefit from having a teacher as a parent.

If anyone can give me any information on adoption procedures during that time in history or where I could go online to find the info, I'd really appreciate it. I know that finding out information specific to New York State would be even more challenging, so even if it's just general information that would apply to most states, it would be a big help.

Thanks in advance for any help.