[jrfgirl]

My name is Jodi. Born 6/15/1973 in Pittsburgh, PA, where I still live. Name given as:THRESA/THERESA POPLUHAR.
I was in foster care from a week old until the age of 18. I had the same foster parents that whole time. They NEVER ADOPTED ME. I was a ward of the court for 18 years.

I was raised as Jodi -----. I legally changed to that. (My foster family, changed my whole name but then never adopted me..since I grew up as Jodi -----, I changed it to that when I was in my mid-20's.

I was at Zoar Home very briefly (a week), and then CYS, (now called CYF) took over. I had a handful of caseworkers, including Judi Brant.

Kathy Leahe was the one I had the longest (at least 5 years I think), and the BEST!!!! When I turned 18, she provided me a lot of info and helped me find 2 of my 4 whole brothers, 2 cousins. (Another story).

I DIDNT KNOW KATHY IS A SEARCHER NOW? What exactly does her occupation entail? She is the SWEETEST WOMAN!

My birth mother's name is MARGARET. Maiden name: LOGAN. Her dob: 6/16/1935;In Newark, NJ. Occupations included:Model (furs, I was told), door to door saleswoman, and something at a dance hall in New York. Tall, (5'9), pretty...

She was once married to Joe Popluhar, czechoslakian immigrant (NOT MY BIO. FATHER). They met and lived in Pittsburgh, then moved to Newark, NJ. Margaret had 2 boys with him.

Joseph Michael Popluhar, dob: 5/27/1961 and, James Patrick Popluhar, dob: 9/16/1962. (My half-brothers)

Margaret and Joe were married 1/4/1960 and divorced 4/13/1972.

Margaret and her mother, Iola Logan, lived in Newark, NJ as well (And her father James P. Logan). Iola and James were seperated and divorced and, at some point, Iola and Margaret, moved to Pittsburgh. Margaret has an older sister..named either Marion/Marion, but Margaret called her Sandy.

In 1969, Margaret went to visit her mom, Iola, in Pittsburgh, and never returned to Newark or to Joe. (In 1964, James and Joseph were in and out of foster care and then put up for adoption, due to my mother's first and then repeated breakdowns and hospitalizations-& diagnosed with Catatonic Schizophrenia. The adoptions were handled by Catholic Charities of NJ. Joseph was placed with a Smith family and may have been adopted by them).

I found Joe Popluhar, when I used USSearch looking for her. In fact, I found his 2nd and permanent wife, Marjorie. The above info. was supplied by them. No pictures, no SS#. But VERY nice people who gave me a lot of information.

My biological father's name is:Charles Paul Monroe Thornton (everyone who knew him, called him Paul). DOB: 3/16/1937. Born in Pittsburgh, PA. Occupations: working on a houseboat. He was diagnosed, paraniod schizophrenic.

I found out later, that I have a half-sister, Diana Thornton, on my dad's side, and met her a few years ago. (My father, too was married before he met my mother). She is in her late 30s.

She was able to provide me MUCH information on the genealogy of my father's side. She searched and then discovered he died in Homestead, above a bar where was living, on 6/20/1990. (360 days before I turned 18--before I even knew his NAME). He was only 53. It was several days before anyone knew he was dead.The coroner held his body for several weeks..no family came forward, and the coroner cremated him. Coroner was told by Landlord that he was a "loner".

My mother and father met, I was told, possibly in Mayview State Hospital. Gave birth to 5 children, including me. I have no idea if they ever got married.

Boy: (dob 1/71), Me(6/15/1973), Boy (dob:10/74), Boy (later named Chad), whom I have met (dob: 4/1976), and Boy (later named Herb), whom I have met since I was 18, keep in contact with (DOB: 12/6/1977).
All children, by my birth mother and father (except for Diana) were taken from them due to their mental statuses. (Parental rights terminated with me in 1977, i think).

I met Diane Bennett (maiden-Logan) and James Logan, my cousins, when Kathy found them, when I turned 18.
Diane was unstable. Her mother, too, mentally ill. I was 18 and she kinda freaked me out, and we lost track after only a few weeks. I met James, too. who was incarcerated at Allegheny Co. Jail at the time. Lost track of him as well. My only MATERNAL family line. I wish I hadn't.

I was only 18. I didn't keep good notes.

Then years went by...

Now I am searching very hard and DESPERATE to find ANYTHING.

I wrote to Mayview, who of course, was all about the confidentiality. I called a few times after sending the letter, and all they would tell me was that Margaret's last hospitalization there was in 1980. I wish I had reworded my letter.

I also found out that I wasn't born in a hospital, but at her home and then eventually taken to Allegheny General.

WHERE IS MY MOTHER????

I want to find her, or at least info...

I am looking for 2 half-brothers, my other 2 whole brothers, Diane Bennett and James Logan (my maternal cousins) as well.

(Told you there was alot!)
Thank you for reading my story.
I am here, joining all of you... and I am here for help and support and also to be of help and support.
FEEL FREE to write me (jrfgirl@yahoo.com).
I also have a website www.geocities.com/jrfgirl
I am going to be adding much more detail....especially about my story, as I get it!!!