[dianeg]

Has anyone had any luck getting info from the Zoar Home in Pittsburgh, Pa? I've found where the records are stored, but no one will reply to my inquiries.

[Reg Niles]

Feedback on your query would be most welcome to the browsers of this forum. While we wait for the feedback, and for you to reveal where the records are, allow me to give a general opinion.

In my opinion, maternity homes will not be a good source of information for adoptees in search. Usually, they were not licensed as adoption agencies and felt no obligation to provide postplacement support for adoptees or birth mothers.

And they became out-of-fashion, perhaps in the 1970s or 1980s. Some pregnant women were housed in foster homes under the auspices of social agencies. Other pregnant women decided they didn't feel ashamed and wouldn't give up their babies. So maternity homes closed all over the U.S., and an unknown percentage of them destroyed their records.

Reg Niles
RegNMINiles@cs.com

[kim.giarrusso]

Dear Diane,

Would you please share with me the location of the records from the Zoar home in Pitts. PA. I too have a need to contact them.

[dianeg]

Zoar Home records are located at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, Library & Archies Division, 1212 Small St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 454-6364. Good luck! I've contacted them 4 times & they never even respond. The hospital that was used in the late 1960's was the West Penn Hospital, but their records from that time have been destroyed. I did find my daughter; just wanted to get more info for her. I'm now trying to get her birth records unsealed through the state.

[pasofino]

Diane,

I was born at Zoar Home in 1954. I recently received my records. I contacted David Grimmell at: Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center.
1212 Smallman St.
Pgh, PA 15222
Hope this helps. Good luck
Lynn

[dianeg]

Lynn,
I've tried to contact the Sen John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, but got no reply. How did you get your records....did you have to put in all in writing? did it cost you anything? Any info would help. I've already found my daughter & we're in close contact, but even with that, nobody wants to give us any information. It's crazy! Thanks for your help.
Diane

[zoarhomebirthmother]

I am a Zoar Home birthmother trying to help a young man born in 1973 in Alleghany. I searched and found my birthdaughter born in 1971 at Zoar. Any tips on finding birthparents.

[dianeg]

This is really the best site for searching. I found both my daughters on here almost 10 years ago. Does he know if his mom was from Zoar?