[bothsides]

Originally Posted by MixedBliss

Hey! I was hoping you'd post an update. Sorry you've not heard back from the friend yet. Did you do Delivery Confirmation/Package Tracking or anything on your letters?

Nothing yet on my request to Judge McClean. I did tracking and it looks like my request packet got there on Monday (to the PO box anyway). Like with you -waiting, waiting, waiting.

One awesome/amazing thing did happen though. My half brother (same mother/different father) got the "contact packet" I sent and he called me! We talked for three hours!!!!

He was adopted within our birthmother's family, so he knows TONS of interesting stuff. We're meeting in person week-after-next in New Orleans.

Chin up.....I'm really hoping "the friend" will come through for you!

Congrats!
Unfortunately, I did not send return receipt or registered. I do have a phone number for the friend that I may try soon. Also, after reading section 9 onhttp://www.bastards.org/search/docu.html I decided to try to get my birth records with my adopted name. Maybe I'll get lucky. I talked to a lady at the hospital (caught me off guard when she called back and I don't remember her name now) and she said she would look into this for me. I did not mention I was adopted, just looking for records for family history. She tried to call me back this afternoon and I missed her call. I tried to call back but got the main switchboard at the hospital and I don't know her name! Hopefully she will call me back again. Doubt she'll have good news but you never know. Can't believe I didn't get a name...

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

Congrats! Unfortunately, I did not send return receipt or registered. I do have a phone number for the friend that I may try soon. Also, after reading section 9 onhttp://www.bastards.org/search/docu.html I decided to try to get my birth records with my adopted name. Maybe I'll get lucky.

Neat! Due to our ages, it's possible that the records of our birth-hospital stays are archived with an outside storing company. I've read they're alot easier to deal with --since they get paid for records they supply, they're more willing to supply them. Hospitals have to worry more about that confidentiality stuff or something.

I hope it works for you. If so, instructions por favor? Betcha lots of us would like to know about this.

Tried several years ago to get mine, but no one could tell me where they were archived (if anywhere)....only that they were no longer at the facility where I was born --which was no longer a public hospital. Maybe it's time to try again, now that I have more info.

Perhaps, once again, you've encouraged me into doing something that's been on the back burner

Package tracking worked well - no signature is required.
My brother said if he'd had to sign for anything, he wouldn't have. Also said he wouldn't have called if I hadn't included a phone card, for what that's worth.

(BN: Love their bumper stickers, but really dislike their stance on Safe Haven laws *sigh*)

[bothsides]

Well, this is getting interesting. I talked to a very nice lady at the hospital and had to do a lot of BSing but she is trying to find my records for me. At first she said she couldn't find anything under my name and my birthdate and asked if my name is my birthname. I said no, I was adopted at birth. She started to say then there wasn't much she could do and her voice definitely indicated not wanting to help. I asked her if there was anyway she could help. I said I really wanted these records but the problem is I don't know my birth name and although I know my birthmom's married name (which I really just know her first name) I don't know her maiden name. I then told her that although I know how to reach my birthmom (not true) I really didn't want to do that (again not true). She then sounded really nice again, and said "I understand". She asked for my adoptive parents names and said she would look into it more for me. How awesome would it be if she could help? We'll see...

I hate having to lie but I got a lot further lying than I would have being completely honest.

[nilesgirl]

Oh my gosh...I hope this pans out for you THAT would be awesome! You never know...there are some benevolent souls out there willing to help and do the right thing. Unfortunately, in many cases, adoption is steeped in secrets and lies...and you have to do what you have to do to get to the truth. I don't think what you did hurt anyone. FINGERS CROSSED!

[MixedBliss]

That is awesome!!!!!!!!!! I hope she's able to come through for you. Like you, I hate to not tell the truth. Sentiment runs about 50-50 among my adopted friends on whether to out-and-out lie when calling people.

Well done, you!

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

Well, this is getting interesting. I talked to a very nice lady at the hospital and had to do a lot of BSing but she is trying to find my records for me.

It's now been one month since my request was received at RICO and still nothing. I sure hope your document search went well!

[bothsides]

Originally Posted by MixedBliss

It's now been one month since my request was received at RICO and still nothing. I sure hope your document search went well!

Unfortunately I've hit nothing but dead ends. Most likely I will end up trying to use a court appointed searcher. Got a couple of other things I'm going to look into first. I'm anxious to hear what happens with your request though since I will end up doing the same thing.

[bothsides]

Hello - here's my update...

I decided to take a little break from searching. I was hitting dead ends and a little frustrated. Also, I was spending a lot of time on it and needed to take care of my life for awhile. I decided today to look into things a little more. I thought about the spelling of the friend that helped my mom arrange my adoption and came up with an alternate. I found a possibility using the alternate name and sent off a letter. We'll wait and see what happens...

Also, I'd love to hear what happened with Mixed Bliss' court petition to open records since I will have to use the same court.

Take care everyone. I will post updates...

[bothsides]

I am quite certain that I have tracked down the one person that can give me info. I haven't heard back from her yet - she hasn't signed for my letters yet. I have a possible phone number but I will wait a little yet for that. I don't want to take the chance of screwing things up by catching someone off-guard.

Also, my dad gave me a name of someone who also knew the friend who helped arrange everything. I got in touch with him yesterday. He said he would see if his wife still knew how to reach my mom's old friend.

I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere. At least I hope it leads somewhere.

[bothsides]

Ok, my letters were signed for today! That means my mom's friend that helped arrange my adoption and knows about my birth family has a letter from me! I don't know if or what she will do in response but at least she got the letters. It keeps getting more difficult to wait. I sure hope I hear something soon...

Those of you that have supported me and encourage me to get to this point, thank you!

[cetalley]

Bothsides, I have followed your post since the beginning and am so happy for you thus far. Please try to stay grounded in knowing that 2 steps forward is good until you fall back 3. You sound grounded enough to except what is ahead. I hope you, hubby, and family are there to keep cheering you on. I for one am right here on the sidelines cheering....Every person has the right to know of where they come from...if this is what they wish for....

[bothsides]

Today I found a likely work email address for my mom's friend. I sent an email to her. Hopefully either my letter or my email ends up in the rights hands and I hear something back. I know anyone who has searched can identify but the waiting is the definitely the hardest part.

I hope my mom's friend is willing to help although I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't want to break my bmom's confidentiality. I hope this is where I get my info but if not, I still have the Illinois C.I. program to fall back on. Back in July they said they felt confident that they could find my birth family and make contact. I will give this a couple of weeks though and see if I hear back.

Wish me luck!!

[sborgstrom]

My name is Sandy and I am a volulnteer search angel...If you have the name of your bmom's friend, I can find her address for you...Chances are very good that she will be able to give you info...If you need help, please let me know....Sandy

[bothsides]

Ok, I feel like something really could happen soon. Basically through a third party I found out that my mom's friend that helped arrange my adoption did get my letters and is trying to help. She can't remember my bmom's last name but is racking her brain and trying to remember it and anything else she can come up with. The third party said she would contact me soon with some info!

I cannot wait to hear from her...

[bothsides]

Well, I feel a little down today. I talked to my mom's friend this morning and she did not have much info. She seems very genuine and has even offered to do some local footwork if I need it. Basically she knew my parents wanted to adopt and somehow heard about a young lady that was pregnant in her area. She knocked on my bio families' door and gave them the card for my parents lawyer. That's how my adoption got arranged. She didn't know the family or their names, at least she doesn't remember now. She said she would ask around at church and see if anyone remembers. It's a small town where my bio family is from so hopefully someone knows something. Maybe something will come up, who knows? She said she even drove around trying to remember which house she went to but couldn't remember that either.

Anyway, not sure what I will do next, just a little sad today.