[Mustang]

I am in search of my birth family. I was born at Bethany Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas and Adopted out in Topeka Kansas. My Adoptive mom told me that my Birth mother was 16 years old when she gave birth to me and that I had a dislocsated hip at birth and was put in a pillow sling or 6 weeks. Something was mentioned about salvation army for unwed mothers. Anybody with info, please respnd. Thank You

[barbara1972]

You can obtain original birth certificate from Topeka. It will provide both parents names,making your search much easier.

[bjbrook2]

Hi,

Have you sent off for your original non-amended birth certificate? You can order them on-line by going to KS Vital Statistics. When you get that information let me know maybe I can help you, at no charge to find your birth family. I can at least try.

bjbrook2

[Mustang]

Dear bjbrook2,

Thank you for your help and support. I will contact you again soon.

[rsqr]

I found out today that my Mom, now deceased, had a son in a FCH, probably in Wichita, in 1948, give or take a year. I don't know the boy's name or any details.

Any clues how I can start searching using only my Mom's last name?

Thanks.
Ron

[bjbrook2]

What is an FCH? Do you know the last name of your mom at the time of the childs birth? Probably her maiden name.

bjbrook2

[rsqr]

FCH is Florence Crittenton Home, where unwed Moms went to live while pregnant (I think). My Mom came from CA to KS, likely to Wichita to give birth in 1948 as she had friends here. I know she was using her maiden name during this time, based on other documents I've found.

This is all very knew to me as I just learned I might have a half brother yesterday! I plan to call the KS Vital Statistics place today to see if I could get a birth certificate if one exists for the boy, and they can find it based on 1948 and her name.......

Not sure where to turn after that.........

THANKS.
Ron

[bjbrook2]

Ron,

I know they will not give you a birth certificate for the child. Your best bet is to try to find which agency might have been used at the time of the adoption. Do you have the last name your mom might have used? If so, what was it? There were 4 adoption agencys at that time, here in Wichita, KS. Catholic Charities 316-263-0507, Lutheran Social Service no phone number - out of business, KCSL316-921-0100, and Booth no number...I think. Check with the agencies to see which one might have handled the adoption. They might tell you at the state level which one was used, or if it was a private adotion. If the state has records of the adoption I know they will usually let you place a letter in the childs file in case they contact the state. As open as KS is, they are not always opened to the family members of an adoptee. If you don't mind giving me the first and last name of your mom I can check in one place to see if there is anything there with her name on it.

bjbrook2

[rsqr]

Wow, Thanks!

Mom's name was Jessie Ellen Zitlow (Maiden name and she used it during this time). A previous married name was Larsen. The father of this boy was named G. Parr, according to my aunt, who was about 12 at the time.

She would have been 27-28 when she had the boy, in 1947 or 48.

I understand that just as family, I might not have any rights to the data.

What lead me to this was I was looking at my birth certificate (I'm the oldest child) and it said according to Mom, she had another birth earlier and the child died. That prompted me to call my aunt, and she provided the details she knew. The aunt stated the boy lived and was likely adopted, according to letters she had seen.

THANKS bunches,
Ron

[bjbrook2]

Why don't you give me your email address.

[rsqr]

Captronr@att.net


Thanks.

[janet80]

I read the postings of rsqr and bjbrook2 and was wondering if bj was able to help ron out in his search. I am also looking for a sibling my mother gave up for adoption.
thanks, janet80

[rsqr]

Hi Janet,

Here's where I stand or should say am stalled. BJ gave me some helpful tips but she had no record of my Mom.

Mom likely gave birth at an FCH in KC, MO, so the birth records are in MO, not KS. Since I don't know the date, other than within a 12 month span, I don't have many specifics.

I tried to email a person at an FCH in Topeka, which appears to me to be the only semi-local one still operating. The contact's mailbox is full and has been for over a week, so my email keeps bouncing back to me.

I've been really busy at home/work, so I've not done much more on this since my initial blitz.

Thanks for the concern.

Ron

[lesjohnsonkc]

do you know your b mom's name or your birthdate?

[rsqr]

Hi LesJohnson,

My search is for my step brother who Mom gave up for adoption. Her name was Jessie Zitlow and gave birth to a son about 1947-48.

I have no other data, other than the baby was healthy.

THKS.
Ron