[bothsides]

Well, I talked with my parents tonight to find out what they know about my adoption. It went really well! I was so nervous to bring it up. We've talked a little before but not like tonight. Here's what I know.

I was born in Maquoketa Iowa, however, adoption was finalized in Rock Island County, Illinois. I know the attorney's name. I know my bmom's first name is Sharon. She was the oldest of about 6-8 siblings! The adoption was helped out by a friend of the birth family and my mom. I know that person's full name. I know my bmom was about 16 when I was born and that's about it. Also found out that when the lawyer tried to contact my bfather he would not even talk to the lawyer.

Where would you start?

I am not sure what to do without a full name and being born in Iowa but adopted in Illinois. I've done some online searching and getting nowhere. Looks like I will join the registries for both Iowa and Illinois. Already did ISRR but no matches. I will probably try to send a letter to the friend of my mom that helped arrange the adoption. I think I may have found an address. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[jrainbow]

Sorry, no good ideas on searching. Just wanted to send good wishes. Sounds like you got a lot of information to start with.

[curiositykitten]

You can request to get your Non ID info from the state and also register for their registry for free in Illinois if you are willing to fill out a medical history form. I would start there and see what you can find out. You might be able to google for the attorneys name to see if he's still practicing too.

My bio mom was from another state and I was adopted in Illinois too. I was told that since my aparents lived in Illinois the adoption was easier to finalize that way.

[bothsides]

Well, the non-identifying info search is already not going well. I called IARMIE (Illinois Adoption Registry) and they provide non-id info if you were born in Illinois. I was born in Iowa. I called the court and the only thing they offered was to petition the court to unseal my records. They said my records had been sent to the state and gave me a number to call. I called them and they said all the original birth records, etc. were sent back to Iowa since that is where I was born. I am still going to register with the Illinois registry but now it's off to see what I can find out in Iowa, if anything. I am going to see if I can find the lawyer and I sent a letter to my mom's friend to see if she would be willing to offer any help.

[curiositykitten]

Originally Posted by bothsides

Well, the non-identifying info search is already not going well. I called IARMIE (Illinois Adoption Registry) and they provide non-id info if you were born in Illinois. I was born in Iowa. I called the court and the only thing they offered was to petition the court to unseal my records. They said my records had been sent to the state and gave me a number to call. I called them and they said all the original birth records, etc. were sent back to Iowa since that is where I was born. I am still going to register with the Illinois registry but now it's off to see what I can find out in Iowa, if anything. I am going to see if I can find the lawyer and I sent a letter to my mom's friend to see if she would be willing to offer any help.

I'm sorry you're having a rough go of it.

I thought that your adoption records would be recorded in the state where your adoption was finalized at. This is terrible that you have to keep going back and forth to get anywhere! I wish you luck.

[bothsides]

I may have found the lawyer (or his son?). I found an email address and sent him an email to see if he might be able to help. I am hoping that either he can help or my mom's long ago friend can help. I will also join both the Illinois and Iowa registries. If none of that works I can hire a court appointed intermediary in Illinois. I really believe something will work out.

[Lillyanya]

The best thing to do is keep your head high. Think good thoughts, and hope!

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

The adoption was helped out by a friend of the birth family and my mom. I know that person's full name. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Anyone you know the full name of would be worth contacting. Even if the 'friend' won't tell you much at first, perhaps they are still in contact with your bmom - if you want to get a message to her.

Good luck!

[bothsides]

Well, it looks as if I will not be able to get any non-id info from either Iowa or Illinois. Being born in Iowa but adopted in Illinois is the problem. I contacted the Rock Island County courthouse in Illinois where my adoption was finalized and they said I needed to either request my records be unsealed through them or contact the state for non-id info. I talked to the state and they said they cannot help because all adoption records are sent back to the state of birth. I received forms from Iowa and they all assume your adoption was finalized in Iowa and want to know what county in Iowa your adoption was finalized in. Frustrating... I really hope I hear back from the lawyer or my mom's old friend with some more info. If not, I think it is going to be a lot of work to move forward. Any other suggestions?

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

I contacted the Rock Island County courthouse in Illinois where my adoption was finalized and they said I needed to either request my records be unsealed through them or contact the state for non-id info.

Were you referred to Judge McClean at RICo and DID you request your records be unsealed?

[bothsides]

Originally Posted by MixedBliss

Were you referred to Judge McClean at RICo and DID you request your records be unsealed?

Yes, Judge McClean was who I was told to send a letter to in order to request my records be unsealed. Before I did that I wanted to do some research and carefully draft a letter. I know some Judges are open to unsealing records and others not. I don't know which type he is but I can tell you that the lady I talked to on the phone seemed annoyed at my request. Do you know anything about Judge McClean?

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

Yes, Judge McClean was who I was told to send a letter to in order to request my records be unsealed. Before I did that I wanted to do some research and carefully draft a letter. I know some Judges are open to unsealing records and others not. I don't know which type he is but I can tell you that the lady I talked to on the phone seemed annoyed at my request. Do you know anything about Judge McClean?

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Judge McClean. I'm in about the same spot you are - drafting the letter - but am wondering if it's even worthwhile in my case.

I hope he (or she) turns out to be the kind of judge who will open files and I truly wish you every success!

Let us know how it goes for you.

[bothsides]

Originally Posted by MixedBliss

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Judge McClean. I'm in about the same spot you are - drafting the letter - but am wondering if it's even worthwhile in my case.

I hope he (or she) turns out to be the kind of judge who will open files and I truly wish you every success!

Let us know how it goes for you.

Were you also adopted in Rock Island County? Wasn't sure if you meant you are also sending a letter to Judge McClean (John R. McClean is his full name).

[MixedBliss]

Originally Posted by bothsides

Were you also adopted in Rock Island County? Wasn't sure if you meant you are also sending a letter to Judge McClean (John R. McClean is his full name).

Yes, I was adopted there also. Thank you for the Judge's full name.

A request for my a-file was on the back burner (more like off the stove, actually).

If you think it might be helpful to you, I'd be happy go first and let you know what, if anything, my rejection letter says.

I can tell you're excited and don't want to wait though. Can't blame you there

[bothsides]

Originally Posted by MixedBliss

Yes, I was adopted there also. Thank you for the Judge's full name.

A request for my a-file was on the back burner (more like off the stove, actually).

If you think it might be helpful to you, I'd be happy go first and let you know what, if anything, my rejection letter says.

I can tell you're excited and don't want to wait though. Can't blame you there

Actually, I am going to wait a few weeks before I petition the court to unseal my records. I have a few other things I am trying first. If I can get more info it may help convince them to unseal my records. Of course, I would love to hear the outcome of your request. Also, would love to chat more sometime since we are from the same area.

Take care.