My mother was adopted but I do not know her birth name?

Question

My mother was adopted by her fathers sister circa 1949. She is now deceased and I am starting a family history. My brother and I are the only descendants. How can I find out her birth name or adoption papers so I can start tracing back her family history.

Answer 1

Welll, your mother wasn't adopted by strangers, but by a member of her father's family. Do you know the full name of the woman who adopted her? Do you know where they lived at the time? If you do, start with local records of marriage, etc. If you can find the maiden name of the woman who adopted your mother, you've got a great start. There are many great research sites on the web for genealogy. You'd be surprised how much you can find just by going to one of them and putting a name into their search feature. Local newspapers are another good source of information. Have you seen your mother's obituary, or that of the woman who adopted her? Many little bits of information can be obtained that way. Do you know anyone who knew the family in the past? Don't be afraid to write letters, make phone calls, and ask questions. Just keep digging until you find something, then follow that clue until it leads you to something else, and so on. It could take time, but it's fun and rewarding. Good luck.

Try ancestry.com or rootsweb.com or genforum.com or familysearch.org

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Hey Rosewatersmiling,

She was adopted by her paternal Aunt. This opens a few questions in my mind. Did the Aunt change her surname on adoption, or did she leave it as her Fathers surname. You can get records for the Aunt, Birth, Death, Marriage to get the original surname anyway. The Aunt will have the same parents as your mothers Father. So, once you have her records, you are on your way. Your aunts Birth record will list her maiden name, which is your Grandfathers Surname.

As far as adoption records go, you may be able to get them too. Depending on open or closed adoption, and special family adoptive laws for the location where the adoption occurred. Here are some sites to use that may help you in your quest for family records.

You can get BMD records from the Municipal records offices where the event occured, or from the STATE or Province. The higher in government you go, the more the cost. So, better with local records office.

Answer 4

i'm in Canada. We were only informed to fill out the application after the adoption became finalized. it truly is a recurring count number number. We particular did not understand what all of it meant. we are fortunate that through the open adoption we've, all of us understand his unique very last call and different recommendations we commonly does no longer have. To right this moment, i'm no longer particular if we had a call. it truly is why now, AFTER getting to understand FROM the following, I plan on asking that query. next time round, we are able to make a level of photocopying the unique beginning certificate besides. I believe you...obviously we are conscious we did not supply beginning to our son. yet we did not falsify something. once you're contained in the technique of adoption and only following the "guidelines" and trusting the licensess/attorneys...you only do it. i visit ask our foster adoption worker and our licensee in this in strengthen too. i in my opinion do not see why the BC has to regulate thoroughly. i visit understand including the adoptive very last call yet until eventually there's a risky condition, why is this even "recurring". Sealed information are unacceptable inspite of the truth that.

Answer 5

If you were born after 1911, the law stated that the mums maiden name be included in the birth registration index. You could try looking at the index, that your mum would be included in. If you would like to email me your mums name and birth year, and month she was born, and where she was born. I will see what I can do for you, to get you started, my email address is [e-mail] good luck anyway , Diane.

Answer 6

I am a free volunteer searcher for adoptees and their parents. I have a full load right now but you can go to many websites and register your info and check the posted messages for something that looks linked to your mother or her family. First register with your State Agency, usually listed under Dept of Health and/or Statistics...Here are some sites to start with...you will find many, many more as your go through each one...http://www.niwot.net/adopt/index.html,
www.findme.org , www.adoption.com, www.angelfire.com, http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/3686/adoptee_registry.html?20069..Good Luck..Nancy

Answer 7

You hopefully know the name of your mothers aunt (by whom she was adopted) Start there. Her maiden name will be the same as her brother, who was your grandfather. Once you have your grandfathers name, you will have your mothers sur-name. Presumably her given names remained the same. Good luck.

Answer 8

Birth certififcate will have her name. If you don't have that then go to the town or city hall where she was born. They will be able to give you this info. This is if you know the city or town she was born in.