Adoption and Genealogy Research | Ancestry

[@AncestryUS]

Hi Russell. Thanks for the question. It would be your choice how you'd like it to appear on your tree. You can add both if you'd like. You can indicate that one is your biological and the other is your adoptive father. Good luck with your ongoing research. support.ancestry.com/s/article/Fixing-Relationships-in-Trees?language=en_US

[@greghanson475]

Two of my grandparents were adopted. My paternal grandfather, born in 1893, and my maternal grandmother born in 1889. It took me 30 years to find and track down the stories of the my grandfather's biological parents. I have yet to get anywhere regarding my grandmother's birth. My 96 year old mother just recently got her ancestry DNA results, so I'm hoping that will lead us somewhere.

[@mikefundis77]

My birth records been sealed I was born 1979 and I'm going to Spartanburg South Carolina and my bus ride has been sealed away

[@genesisrivera6625]

Both my grandparents on my mothers side are both adopted as well. It’s been hard.

[@relaxandgrowwithMegan]

Birthmothers often say they do not want contact due to shame and coercion tactics used in the past especially in the 1930s-1970s.

[@clsmithent]

Thank you for this explanation. My mother was taken in by her aunt & her husband, parents passed, & she started using their last name. Now I know that I just might not find anything on her adoption. Saved alot of time.

[@guamgirl99]

You are amazing, thank you for all your hard work. I just took the Ancestry DNA test with my adopted mother. I'm 51 and hoping to connect my biological father. When I was in my 20's my adopted parents were able to find my biological mother and her three children (my half sisters and brother) and her ex husband. My biological mother is unwilling to identify my biological father because she never told him, so I have half the story. My half sisters and brother never knew about me, but had seen photos of them with their mom and their mom was pregnant (they always wondered who that was - bingo it's me). The search continues.

[@marialuisaherrera607]

Good job

[@anterlopic1]

I was adopted and I have no problem with the words "bastards." or "illegitimate." In fact it makes me feel like a renegade.

[@sickboy703]

Amen.

[@laurajustice211]

My grandmother was adopted 1917 in Rockford Illinois. She tried to get her records and they wouldn't give it to her. She did eventually find a sister. The sister didn't know anything either. I would love to be able to find her family.

[@AncestryUS]

Is your grandmother still living? If so, have her take an AncestryDNA test. If not, have any of her living children DNA tested. Part of the results of a DNA test are DNA Matches. Those matches will lead to the identity of your grandmother's biological parents.

[@debd1371]

@@AncestryUS Agreed - It can only help advance your research.

[@imacrazyhomesteader226]

Put your DNA in and see if you get random matches.

[@mikefundis77]

Hi Michael.

[@mikefundis77]

My name is Jacob Michael I'm with adopt them I never met my boss for mother I was born my birth records been sealed away on point 1979 Spartanburg South Carolina my bus records been sealed away

[@darlenesye1609]

Yep, I am a bio sibling hoping to find who folklore says I have an adopted brother. I'll check out these articles you recommend and I see you have some followup recordings too. I didn't know there was a 'national registry'. Thanks So Much Crista!

[@relaxandgrowwithMegan]

It doesn't matter if the birthmother wanted your friend to wait until after she (birthmother) dies to look for her half siblings. Adults have legal right to look for and keep in contact with whomever they want. Birthmother has no legal control.

[@tracylewis4784]

Actually my father was adopted and still living. The agency would not release any information to me since he is still alive. He had send in copies of his drivers license and prove he was who he said he was and notarized documentation that he was looking for his mother. They are very strict about giving out information

[@petratorrey1776]

Yes they do have control

[@sharee93706]

Hospital records? They can become public? Please expand on this.

[@lisareed5669]

I have a case where the children went to an orphans home but only for a period of time, apparently until the mother could get back on her feet. They are then found in the next census all back together.

[@freewillbill]

My grandmother lived with a foster family for her first 3 years before her birth mother came back for her. We have always wondered if she was left at the hospital after birth and who was sweet enough to take care of her for 3 years. Is it possible to find that information?

[@BrandyTexas214]

I’m searching my matches in search for an adoptee my grandma had in the 60’s and gave up.. I have sorted all my matches to one grandparent or the other.. thanks for the info!!

[@CristaCowan]

I'm glad to hear you are getting it worked out.

[@amiechristine8952]

I am adopted and know my biological family but do not know my genetic makeup> I was gifted a kit last year for Christmas and am so excited to get my results.

[@CristaCowan]

I'm excited for you, Amie.

[@sherry123169]

First, I'm sorry for this long comment! 😍 My husband and his younger brother were put into foster care and later adopted when they were 6 and 3 after both of their parents abandoned them. He was born in Williamsport PA and he remembers his fathers name was Joseph Steinbacher. His mother was Nancy not sure if they were married or not. He's asked his adoptive parents about info but all they say is they have no info other than his father was an alcoholic. My husband's brother died 2 years ago and so he has no other blood relatives that he knows of and would like to find out about birth parents. I have no idea how to help him or where we start so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! If you could point me in the direction of where to start it would help so so much!! Thank you! 💜

[@becauseofkarma2913]

Can someone tell me what the best reunion registers are?

[@123gorainy]

Wondering about an impossible-to-find record of adoption for my father, who was adopted by my grandmother's second husband. What kind of law or agency would I be looking for to find out about information on that. It was back in about 1930 so it would was probably considered somewhat shameful. Thank you.

[@AncestryUS]

Hi there, thanks so much for stopping by. We are very sorry to hear that you have run into this difficulty with your research, we can of course understand the frustration that can come from trying to track down particularly elusive records. We have popped a link below to an article from our support site with some tips on looking for adoptions records which may be of some help to you: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Finding-Adoption-and-Orphanage-Records?language=en_US We wish you the best of luck in all of your research to come!

[@Merryrobin]

"Register with state and national reunion registries"? I never heard of this. What do i look up

[@AncestryUS]

A simple internet search for the name of the state and the words "adoption registry" should provide you with what you need.

[@leighk.9495]

I have 2 grandchildren conceived by in vitro fertilization by a donor. The birth certificates list their mother's husband as the legal father. Once they are 18 they would be able to do a DNA search to find their biological father & half siblings. How do I designate a IVF birth in the family tree? It would be great to have a IVF Donor button in Relationships.

[@Everything_Andy]

So when Doing a ancestry family tree can I create a separate tree for biological family tree and if so how do I go about doing so and how should I list myself in the new tree for the two separate trees to be identifiable and for me to be easily accessed by potentially the bio family. i Dont know if what I said makes sense but I hope it does. i do not want to have one tree for everyone but instead 2 separate and I just don't know how to go about setting up a new tree for the biological family.

[@AncestryUS]

Hi Andy, thank you for the question. If you need to start a tree to trace your biological family, you can just start a family tree like you normally would. You can learn more about how to start a new tree here: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Getting-Started-Lesson-1-Starting-Your-Tree?language=en_US. You can also learn more on how to list adopted people in a family tree here: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Listing-Adopted-Family-in-a-Tree?language=en_US.

[@citygonecountrygirl]

As we research further back, how is it that it is made known that someone was adopted?

[@relaxandgrowwithMegan]

Hi, do you mean looking for a family member was that adopted out of the family that you want to find? If they or their descendants are possibly still alive I'd fill out a form with ISRR. Just google ISRR.

[@Nelsonracite]

Where would I find an adoption record for someone born in NY state in 1911?

[@AncestryUS]

Hi there, Nelson! Thanks so much for reaching out with this question! We're glad to offer our help! We have a couple of guides in our support center that may be helpful and we'll include them here. If you have any questions feel free to reach out and we'll be glad to help! Link: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Finding-Adoption-and-Orphanage-Records Link: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Free-Research-Guides

[@ciarrarosek]

how do I find state and national reunions registries

[@AncestryUS]

Hello Ciarra. A simple internet search for the name of the state and the words "adoption registry" and/or "reunion registry" should find you what you are looking for.

[@russellyaucher9887]

I was adopted and found my biological father. Is it correct to put my biological father on the tree (abandoned me at birth) or my adopted father, or both? If both, how do I get the second of the two onto the tree?

[@AncestryUS]

Hello Russell - You can add both fathers to your tree. Go into your profile on the tree and click on EDIT | Edit Relationship. On that screen you can ADD FATHER and adjust the relationship status to each to reflect the way you want.

[@peterraikman]

@@AncestryUS I have a problem with an 'adoptive' branch of my tree. They are entered starting with the 'Additional parent relationships' facility, and their records extended from there. But they don't show on the 'tree', even using 'tree search'.

[@petratorrey1776]

My grandmother had to go away to Brisbane australia and give birth and had to give her up for adoption we have her birth name but not her name now

[@SherryLYT]

I have a question. I found an individual where it says her parent's name, but it says in the memorial bio that she was "reared from age two" from these other individuals. So do I put her biological parent or the individuals that reared her from age two in the ancestry?

[@AncestryUS]

You can go into your profile on your Ancestry family tree and enter both sets of parents. Click on EDIT | Edit Relationships. Then you can add multiple parents and set the type of parental relationship (i.e. biological, adopted, etc.). However, keep in mind that if this person or any of her descendants does a DNA test, you need to have the biological parents set as the "preferred" parents in order for those tools to function correctly.

[@mikefundis77]

Hello My Name is Michael Jacob and I need some help. I am doing a search for my biological family. I have done my DNA and from my research and match with Lettie Carter I believe you might be my grandmother. I am looking for my parents who would have descended from the Carter and Burgess lines. I was born on May 27, 1979 in Spartenburg SC. Does this sound familiar. I am needing medical information for myself. Will you help me.

[@CristaCowan]

You believe that WHO might be your grandmother? Have you taken an AncestryDNA test? Have you sorted your matches based on clustered group using the LEEDS method?

[@imacrazyhomesteader226]

I need to find out about adoption by a stepfather. How do I put this into ancestry.com

[@beeod4824]

I have a closed adoption I was born June 5,1970 in Torrance memorial hospital. Last year I asked dcfs for info on my biological parents due to me being ill and they didn’t have very much I know I have a sis 11/2 yr older my mom was 16 grandparents were divorce my dad went into the army before I was born. Can you help at all or any advice at all

[@AncestryUS]

Have you taken an AncestryDNA test? If so, how much DNA do you share with your top matches?

[@amandabrianguinn5441]

Without punctuation, your post is much harder to follow.

[@beeod4824]

Ancestry I found my mother a 8th cousin or so reached to me and helped me find my mother. On Mother’s Day 2020 I found out her name. The next day I found her #. I seen her a few days before my 50th birthday in June 2020.

[@arielleelizabeth6896]

@@beeod4824 did you find out this information with the help of ancestry? my adoptive parents have told me little to nothing about my adoption and im on the hunt to learn about it all on my own. i wanted to see if ancestry can atleast give me names

[@mariahcute1236]

Is this plac still here

[@lesliegarrett745]

Hi my name is Leslie I am looking for my mother's real father his name is Robert McBernie he lived in Wellington Ohio at the time of my mother's birth he was dating a girl named Gloria June daber that is my mom's that's my mom's real mom's name he was paying for a child support for a little baby in Pennsylvania but he was a truck driver

[@GazelleDZ]

Note to Crista Cowan: As an adoptee with more age and experience than you have, I would suggest that you not refer to us in generalities or in negatives terma such as bastards, illegitimate or many other terms that are hurtful or well may incorrect. If you must, please use simply 'out of wedlock'-- a kinder and gentler description which is not as harshly judgmental toward either the child (who never asked to be born) or the parent who may have made an error in judgment. Only God is perfect! Humans are far from it!You should also be aware that there are many, many, many abandoned children taken by two married individuals to whatever agents a state named -perhaps a dog pound (as in the case my sister and I ) and left for the county of jurisdiction to deal with. I would also suggest that adoptees not mix apples and potatoes when creating their family trees -i.e. not mixing their biological family with their adoptive family. We are not, as you wisely pointed out, genetically related, and a court order stealing our identities doesn't cement relationships nor make a mother of the adoptive parent or erase the motherhood of the genetic parent. Many of us have has horrendous incidences with adoptive, foster parents or guardians; others of us should be careful not to muddy waters. If the adoptee has been blessed with a healthy and happy relationship with their adoptive parents, by all means make a separate tree for the if only to honor them but keeping the biological family completely separate. In this way there is no confusion. for those presently living who may be researching or for those who will be researching many years after our deaths. Ambiguity is the bane of any history, and for an adoptee it is far worse. I have two trees currently that represent my family. Ancestry DNA has caused angst by arbitrarily deciding that DNA can only be ascribed to one tree when I and the single known relative *(an uncle soon to be 91) are on both trees. One tree is paternal and the other maternal with the exception of immediate family, like my uncle who are in both trees. The problem is that not every one will see both trees and therefore may not be able to access the DNA relationships or the 'ethnicity' estimates exiting between he and I. For now it is moot since the two of us are alive, but sooner than later he will die -and so will I-with no one but me to guide anyone through the maze of who belongs to who. I hope that the current policy will be revised so that we can include DNA information on more than one tree should we have the need.That said, I thank you and the rest of the Ancestry Staff for their many efforts.(Drs Crick and Watson were my heroes in 1962, and now even more so as thier double helix, etc. provides restoral of my and others' stolen identities.)

[@AncestryUS]

Rachida, I am sorry you were offended by something I said. I try to choose my words very carefully. However, that said, there are historical records including Bastardy Bonds and church records deliberately recorded with the word "illegitimate" and other terms that must be dealt with. It is important that people (adoptees and descendants of adoptees) who are doing genealogical research understand these terms and what they might mean for their research. On my part, at least, there is no judgement attached to the words. I agree that it is most expedient when biological and adoptee trees are kept separate. However, I strongly encourage everyone to have a single tree for their biological family. Splitting trees - as you have clearly pointed out - causes confusion, is inconvenient, and will not make much sense once you are gone. Thank you! - Crista

[@kaylakaeanderson7205]

I'm sure she was not meaning it in a harmful way. that is the terms documents use and it's the definition normally linked to that situation. not that big of a deal. just drop that