[newlyorphaned]

Hey all,

I sat up until the wee hours this morning composing a letter to be mailed to all legislators in the state of California with a logical explaination for why records should be unsealed. Did my homework on this one. I would encourage everyone to follow suit in their own states of origin. In California adoption records were sealed from 1935 to 1995. Woe to us born within that time frame. Keep the faith.

[newlyorphaned]

Ambez66
When I got my NID I called the man who wrote the report and starting asking questions re: obtaining an attorney to petition the court. He told me I did'nt have to hire an attorney and gave me a number to call. I called it, they sent the forms and now I sit waiting and praying. Contact the same department for the infomation. Best of luck!

[srchin']

Great initiative and good idea!!!! I hope that makes an impact and I have been considering following suit (for TX of course). Quick question though, does every letter say the same thing or did ya tweak each one differently???

srchin'

[shadeinfla]

Originally Posted by newlyorphaned

Hey all,

I sat up until the wee hours this morning composing a letter to be mailed to all legislators in the state of California with a logical explaination for why records should be unsealed. Did my homework on this one. I would encourage everyone to follow suit in their own states of origin. In California adoption records were sealed from 1935 to 1995. Woe to us born within that time frame. Keep the faith.

Great ! That is what we all need to do, I Have done the same, sent letters to every single member of the Florida House and Senate. The president of the Florida Senate along with maybe 20 other legislators took the time to write back all but one said my points were valid and should a revision law come up on the floor they would vote in favor of such. I am working on a closer level with "my" Representative who has agreed to be a sponsor for revision. We in Florida will not see this on the floor until at least 2006... not enough time to get it ready for 2005. Again good for you newlyO, I hope others will follow your lead!

Shade

[Blue Irish Eyes]

Hay everyone...got something good to share...I think most know that I started my search through CC and they did the best they could. really my CI did but the bmom would not answer the mail so the Court ordered the case, which was held open far longer than the policy normally permits, closed.
I then hired a PI to search and found out where my bmom is etc..contacted her she did talk for a few minutes shared nothing of value and made it clear she wanted no contact. Then months later I tried to speak with the sisters and that was an even worse reponse. Since that time, through a message board, I met a gal who is from the same orphanage..we were Crib mates so to speak...same nursery.Over the course of this last year we have chatted about our different experiences. I shared with her how I have done some genealogy searching all on my own and learned of the death of an aunt and was surprised to be able to read the death notice on the computer! In the article it mentioned the names of her children. So I tried to get a white pages check which was unsuccessful. So I did a google, came up with one name but was it the right name? Couldn't tell. So over many months I would do a google and the other day found an entry which gave more info and wondered out loud to my friend who just happend to live not to far away from this area. She mentioned this in just superficial conversation to someone else who on their own went and said something to another party and long story short...the cousin gave permission for me to call when my husband ( who just had bypass surgery and is still in hopital) is a bit better and things are settled down here . In the meantime this cousin will see what can be found about health history. So moral of the story...don't give up, just pray for the Lord to help IF IT IS HIS WILL that someone might just be in position to help. The real irony here is that this cousin just also happend to be an adoptee too, but is not interested in doing any searching..at least not now.

[newlyorphaned]

Just wrote a standard letter where I can change the addresses. Brief info about my concern re: all the deaths in my biofamily and my need to obtain health info. The rest is the surgeon generals family history inititive and stats on searching which indicate the archaic nature of laws passed in 1935 and the unfairness of being born within a 60 year window of closed adoptions and/or closed counties.

[srchin']

newlyorphanded,

GOOD JOB . You've done your research and got it going......I hope it works and I think I'm gonna start doing a little research myself.

srchin'

[newlyorphaned]

Sitting around here waiting to hear back from the courts is driving me batty! I figured I put my frustration and anger to work. Got a line on sending off for B-mom's social security info which is supposed to give her work history and possibly educational history. Sent off yesterday for a copy of the orriginal SS- 5 Application. I guess when someone dies you can get this stuff!!! Anyone else tried this??? Can you imagine it might have her signature on it!!!! At this time that's about as close as I'm expecting to come having a small peice of her to hold dear. How sad is that a signature on a peice of paper? Guess I'm wondering if our handwriting is similar. Is that weird or what? I just want so badly to have some slight connection with her and at the same time know nothing will ever be enough since she's gone.

[srchin']

That is not sad or weird at all...... As a matter of fact I think I would feel the exact same way if I was in your postion. That is cool that you can get that stuff (I think all states are different) The waiting thing is driving me up a wall right now too. Today was supposed to be the day I found out if the judge signed or not and nothing has happened. I am so not good at being patient (I really gotta work on that)!!! I do think it's great what your doing. Your doing something positive while you wait......RIGHT ON!!!!!

srchin'

[KyleBruceNelson]

Anything you find out has to mean so much to you, more power to ya!

[ja58p]

Hi newlyorphaned,
I do genealogy research and have sent off for several ss-5 applications, the response can sometimes be varied for instance my grandmother's was only a piece of paper where she was sent money after my grandfather's death to pay for burying him, since she had no real application of her own it was my grandfather's ss no.
Another one was for a friend of a friend who died in his 40's just a few years back, all of the information on his mother and father was blacked out..the Social Security Administration said since his mother and father were still living it was omitted and would not qualify for the Freedom of Information Act...which is why we can still get the copies of the SS-5 app. Other requests I have sent off for however came back complete with all the pertinent info intact,,, father and mothers name, place of birth, etc.
Though I am not adopted I am helping a relative search who is. I think it is such a shame, the whole sealed record thing,,, especially since most people searching are now adults not children....I believe there are enough laws in place that If someone did invade someone else privacy.. they could always acquire a court restraining order to handle it instead of sealing the records forever and leaving adoptees in limbo there whole lives.
Best of luck
Allen

[newlyorphaned]

Thanks ja58p for the info. I sent off for a copy of the orriginal application. If this one dos'nt have what I want I will send off for her sister's as well. Will let you all know what's in it when it comes in.

Schirn,
Hang in there you're almost there. I've never heard a word back from the court saying they received my petition. Wonder if I should call them or something. I'm holding my breath with you. I hope today's the day. Thanks to all!

[srchin']

It's funny cause I talked to the lady that is helping me yesterday and she told me she wasn't going to contact anyone for now cazuse she doesn't want them to feel pressured cause then they might not sign it.... I'm thinking maybe they just need a little helpful reminer or something. It's easy for them (since they are really busy) to overlook something if it's not mentioned, right?? Anyway I just need to learn patience. I've got my fingers crossed for both of us!!

srchin'

[sweetangel]

Hi Everyone,
I Have A Question?does Anyone Know Of A Law In Ohio That States If Birthfather Was Unaware Of The Birth Or Adoption That The Adoptee Could Get The Records Of Adoption And Birth?
Sweetangel

[srchin']

Gail,

I haven't heard of it but that doesn't mean that it isn't so.....I'll try to look around and see if I can find anything about it.

srchin'