[Julie667]

I was born in Jacksonville Florida on February 4, 1966.

I was adopted at 1109 Carroll Place. At a Term of the Family Court of the State of New York, County of Bronx. The adoption was finalized October 10, 1966, by the Hon. Phillip B. Thurston. Docket No. A-834/66. The Attorneys involved were, Joseph Black of Black & Collyer in Florida and Joseph Spencer in NY

The adoption papers, given to me by my adopted parents, say my natural mothers name is/was Donna L. Barker.

I was also given a letter from the Jacksonville Florida lawyer's office [Black & Collyer], to my adoptive parents, dated January 11, 1966 says;

BABY DUE JANUARY 23, 1966:

NATURAL MOTHER-- is 19 years old, 5'2" tall, 130 lbs, has light brown hair, blue eyes, was never married, has one brother, is of Irish-English racial extraction with some Indian, was a high school graduate, was employed by Southern Bell Telephone Company, is Protestant and had a normal medical history.

NATURAL FATHER--Is 26years old is 5' 11" tall' weighs 180 lbs, has black hair, brown eyes, is of Anglo-American racial extraction, is in construction work, is nice looking (according to natural mother), is from Jacksonville FL and West Virginia, he is married but separated from his wife (again this was all in 1965/1966) My adopted parents were in the hospital when I was born. They took me back to NY 2 or3 days later.

My adopted parents were in the hospital when I was born. They gave their information to the nurse in the hospital, so their names are on what I believe to be my original birth certificate. They took me back to NY 2 or3 days later. I can’t register in NY States adoption registry because I was born in Florida. Florida says they think the adoption is illegal because there is no amended birth certificate. They say the one I have is the original. I don’t understand how this could be. If the names of my adopted parents were on my original birth certificate why would they have to adopt me at all? I’m so confused

[RobinLWelch]

Joe Black was an attorney in Jax for a long time. He is KNOWN for taking babies accross state lines and switching them (all kinds of crazy stuff) which was illegal. I am from Jacksonville, and Joe Black is now dead. His files have since been destroyed according to his son Peter Black who has now taken over the practice.
Do you know which hospital you were born in? (St. Vincent's was his hospital of choice....)You can get some information from the hospital when you request your records.If you have afamily doctor, get him to request thedocuments since he will then have access to all of the information. DO NOT mention you are adopted when the request is made. (They black out all of the pertinent information.)
Also, have you registered with FARR? Let me know if you want me to get their adress, etc. for you. Also, make sure you register with ISSR.
What is your birth certificate number and who was it signed by? (good indication of adoption)
Let me know if you want me to do any leg work for you since I am here. (Seriously, I mean it.) Best of luck.
Robin
Adoptee DOB 8-23-79

[Julie667]

THANK YOU FOR OFFERING TO HELP. I HAVE ACTUALLY FOUND MY NATURAL MOTHER SINCE THIS ORIGINAL POST. ALTHOUGH SHE HAD DIED IN 1998 BEFORE I COULD MEET HER, I CONTACTED HER BROTHER WHOWAS VERY HAPPY TO HEAR FROM ME. I HAVE ALSO TALKED WITH THE MAN SHE MARRIED AFTER I WAS BORN (HE'S NOT MY NATURAL FATHER) I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO 2 OF THEIR 3 DAUGHTERS (MY 1/2 SISTERS) AND MY 2 COUSINS. IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPIERIENCE FOR ME. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH AN EXCEPTING NATURAL FAMILY. UNFORTUNATELY NON OF THEM CAN TELL ME WHO MY NATURAL FATHER IS. IT SEEMS MY MOTHER TOOK THAT INFO. WITH HER TO THE GRAVE. ANY IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO TRY FINDING HIM WOULD BE VERY WELCOME.
BY THE WAY, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING TO JOSEPH BLACK'S SON A FEW YEARS AGO. HE WAS KNOW HELP. HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING ABOUT THE RECORDS BEING DESTROYED. I BELIEVE MY NATURAL MOTHER MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL UNDER MY ADOPTED MOTHER'S NAME SO NO HELP THERE EITHER.
ANYWAY...THANKS AGAIN FOR WANTING TO HELP...