[adpertman]

Good morning. I'm Adam Pertman, the author of Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming America" and the executive director of the Adoption Nation Education Initiative. I'm also the adoptive dad the two best kids on the planet, but that's another story. More to the point here, I'm a new moderator for this area, along with JJ. For anyone who wants/needs it, my bio is on my own website, www.adoptionnation.com. I write, lecture and conduct research on a wide range of adoption-related issues. I'm looking forward to chatting with you all and helping anyone I can to the best of my abilities. That's it. I'll wade into some of the questions already posted. Thanks to everyone, in advance, for your patience as I learn how to navigate this system. adam.

[Lanny]

Welcome!!! thanks in advance for being so willing to help out !! I am always happy to see so many experienced people who are willing to share!!!! it had been a blessing to have these forums available THANKS God Bless Lanny

[Annika]

Dear Friends:

My biological father had been in the ARMY in Vietnam and Germany.
I was actually conceived in the barracks in Heidelberg!
My bio. mother (with whom I was reunited in 1998) remembers only my father's first name (Dennis).
I have written to the military records center in St. Louis several times, but they claim they need more details in order to provide any information on my father.
I have NOT told them that I am an adoptee on a mission, as I don't want them to think I plan to disrupt Dennis' life. Really, I just want to meet him, or at least get medical information from him or extended family.
The center in St. Louis claim they need Dennis' rank, unit, etc., but I know very little about the ARMY's structure.
Why they can't simply send me a list (however lengthy) of everyone stationed at Heidelberg in April or May of 1971 I do not know.

If you can help me in any way, PLEASE e-mail me at ASSAILANTPOODLE@YAHOO.COM.

Best wishes, Annika

[KYGirl12131980]

Okay, are you familiar with adoption laws in KY? How can I go about locating my birth parents? I'm 21, so I am of legal age to do so. Please help me! I'm desperate!

[adpertman]

Good morning. Every state's laws differ, so it's generally the people within those states who know best. To get more information and make contact with other adopted people who are seeking the same goals as you, try some Internet sites dealing with search and/or open records. One very good organization is the Green Ribbon Campaign, which is dedicated to unsealing adoption records. Their website is: http://www.100megsfree3.com/levgen/grcampaign.html. I wish you all the luck in the world. adam.

[~momBev~]

I am 32 yrs. old, and was adopted at the age of 17. I have since been able to get in contact with my birth parents, and have a very close and loving relationship with my birth mother. The help that I am looking for is how to go about getting a copy of my ORIGINAL birth certificate, listing my birth parents as my parents instead of the copy i get listing my adoptive parents as my birth parents. my birth mother has tried sending for an original copy also, but she also got a copy of the one listing my adoptive parents as my parents. I was born in Steubenville Ohio, on October 8, 1970, at Ohio Valley Hospital. I actually live right down the street from the hospital i was born at, and my birth mom lives in Tampa FL. If you can help me in any way at all, I would greatly appreciate it!!!!!! It is so great and such a blessing to find people like you that are willing to help. God bless you all!!!!!!

[apertman]

good morning. it is so exasperating and unfair and ridiculous that you have to go through this. but i'm afraid you probably have to go to court to get your original birth certificate; it's legally sealed and off limits. the potential good news is that almost any (but not every) judge is going to see that there's no impediment to your getting it since no one would object. the ostensible reason for keeping the documents sealed nowadays -- and it's not the historical reason it was done -- is to "protect" birth mothers who don't want to be contacted or found. well, that's not the case for most people anyway, but it's demonstrably not applicable to your case. so i'd check out procedures in your state and do it. it will cost you some time and money but, hopefully, it will give you dignity and peace of mind in return. and, if you're really lucky, you'll educate a judge about reality in the process. good luck. adam.

[gwolf]

Hi!
I hope you can help me, I have been searching for years with no luck. I was adopted at birth in Skokie, Ill and now live in Des Moines, Iowa. I have already contacted the court house in Cook county for unidentifieable information that I was told I might be able to get, haven't heard any thing yet. I have my birth mothers first and last name, her grandfathers name and their old address and her age (sum what). I also have some other information ie; doctors name, judge ect. I have done people searches til my fingers almost fell off. Is there anything I've missed? Any advice would be greatly welcomed!
Desperately needing help

[tracy goodroe]

do you know how i can find out how to get a last name a friend of mine is looking for his mother i have the dr. and the lawers names thank you

[gwolf]

INFORMATION THAT IS AVAILABLE IN SOME STATES:

“Non-identifying information” is information from your adoption file about your birth parents. It generally includes ages, marital status, states of birth, education, religion, occupations and a physical description of your birth parents.

“Mutual Consent Registry” is a registry where adoptees and birth parents can register the adoption information. If both parties register normally the agency responsible for the registry will notify both parties that consent has been given to contact each other.

“Confidential Intermediary Service” is a service that some states provide that will search for the person that you are looking for. Since the state has a copy of your adoption file they will have the full names of the birth parents and their dates of birth.


Hope this helps

[puddytat40]

Hi I hope you can help me I am looking for my birth parents I was born in may 25 1963 in Cranstron RI I have been looking for years last time I call the Friends and services about 6 years ago my records are sealed I do not know what to do catzeyes37@yahoo.com

[colleenmarie200]

I am trying to locate my real family. My dad was adopted and I want to know my medical history and other common questions. How do I go about it?

[Rayma]

I don't know if this will help, I was in the Army and maybe Your bmom knows more than she thinks.

What is the name of the camp/fort your father was stationed at? What was his unit? What was is MOS (job)? What was his rank/what did it look like? A discription will do to idenify the rank. Did he have any distingishing marks (a scar, a tateo, ect...). The Army makes a note of things like these. Between what dates was he there? You may have to say " I know he was there between --- and ---. I don't know his exact duty dates. Germany is a two year assignment unless the soldier brings a dependent to Germany, than it's three years. Any metals or ribbons? Who were his friends? There are reunions of certain units, so check with the DAV to see if they are having a reunion, when and where. You may find someone who knows him.

Like I said I don't know if this will help. It is very hard to get any information from the Army. It took me 2 years to get MY RECORDS!!

I hope you find him.

rayma

[Annika]

Dea Rayma:
Thank you for your advice.
Unfortunately, the information I have is pretty limited.
If my b.mom remembers more than she claims, she would (literally) have to be hypnotized to come up with any more details.
I know b.dad's first name (only): Dennis
Where he was stationed: Heidelberg (MAYBE Patton Barracks)
His rank: Sgt.
His job: ??
I know he was in the ARMY (@ H-berg) when I was conceived: April or May 1971
I don't know how long his tour was. he had been in Vietnam before and opted to go to Germany, so he may have been a career soldier, but from what my mom has said he doesn't sound like a medal-winner.
My mother has contacted everyone she remembers who had been "hanging out" at the time, but no one recalls Dennis. (I think everyone was partying pretty hard at the time.)
i've spent hours on-line looking at reunion sites, but some of the are not open to civilians, plus I'm not sure my dad was/is the type to stay in touch.
I've been very careful about whom and how I ask for info.
For example, placing an ad [even a vague one leaving out my relationship to this man] is a last resort.
I've considered approaching some of the beter talk shows for help, but I don't want my life [or that of my a or b parents] to be exploited by the media.

How did you eventually get your records?
And did you have a reunion?
If so, I hope it was happy!

Rayma: Thanks for your input.
If you wish to contact me directly, my E-mail is: ASSAILANTPOODLE@YAHOO.COM