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Adoptees

Search Strategy Material

Askin, Jayne, with Molly Davis. Search: A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents, 2nd ed. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1992. (R,362.8,A835,83-24192,1992)

Beard, Timothy Field. "Adoptees in Search of Their Natural Parents." How to Find Your Family Roots. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1977, pp.157-166. (R,929.1,B368,78-26290)

Berko, Robert L. Using Public Records to Find and Investigate Anyone. South Orange, NJ: Consumer Education Research Center, 1997. (R,363.2336,qB513,97-12664)

Carroll, Susan. "Genealogy for Adult Adopted Persons-Not an Insoluble Problem". The Genealogical Helper. V.32 N.6, Nov/Dec 1978, pp.8-12. (R,929.105,qG326)

Culligan, Joseph J. Adoption Searches Made Easier. Miami, FL: FJA, Inc., 1996. (R,353.0071,C967,96-17121)

Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet. Scroll down and click on "Adoption". Internet Address: http://www.CyndisList.com/

Johnson, Richard S. Find Anyone Fast, Spartanburg, SC: MIE Pub., 1997. (R,362.8,J68,97-12902)

Klunder, Virgil L. Lifeline: the Action Guide to Adoption Search. Cape Coral, FL: Caradium, 1991. (R,362.829,K66,96-5446)

Rillera, Mary Jo. The Adoption Searchbook, 3rd ed. Westminster, CA: Triadoption Publications, 1991. (R,362.734,R574,83-32287,1991)

Schooler, Jayne E. Searching for a Past: the Adopted Adult's Unique Process of Finding Identity. Colorado Springs, CO: Pinon Press, 1995. (C,362.8,S372,96-16747)

Shea's Search Series-online. Internet Address: http://www.plumsite.com/shea/series.html

Strauss, Jean A. S. Birthright: the Guide to Search and Reunion for Adoptees, Birthparents, and Adoptive Parents. New York: Penguin Books, 1994. (R,362.8298,S912,96-16967)

Helpful Organizations

NYS Adoption & Medical Information Registry created by Public Health Law §4138 b-d (Article 41, Title 3). A mutual consent registry. NYS Dept. of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237-0023. (518)-474-9600. http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/vr.htm

AAC-American Adoption Congress, 100 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 9, Washington DC 20036. (202) 483-3399. Committed to adoption reform by allowing access to records. http://www.americanadoptioncongress.org/

AIML-Adoptees Internet Mailing List.

CUB-Concerned United Birthparents, 2000 Walker St., Des Moines, IA 50317. (800)-822-2777. Support group and works for legislative reform. http://www.cubirthparents.org/

ISRR-International Soundex Reunion Registry, PO Box 2312, Carson City, NV 89702-2312. (702)-882-7755. A free mutual consent registry. Internet Address: http://www.plumsite.com/isrr/

NAIC- Child Welfare Information Gateway-Formerly the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and Child Welfare Information Gateway. Provides information on all aspects of adoption and includes links to other resources. http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/index.cfm

Materials Concerning Open Records

NYS Domestic Relations Law §114 (Article 7, Title 2). Seals adoption records. See also, NYS Social Services Law sect.372 (Article 6, Title 1) "Records and Reports". (RT) . Internet Address for New York State Consolidated Laws at the NYS Assembly web site: http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

Hollinger, Joan H. "Aftermath of Adoption: Legal and Social Consequences," Adoption Law and Practice, Chapt. 13, V.2. New York, NY: M. Bender, 1991+. (L, 346.730178, A239, 92-3876)

Kuhns, Jason. "The Sealed Adoption Records Controversy: Breaking Down the Walls of Secrecy," Golden Gate Univ. Law Review, V.24 N.1 Spring 1994, pp.259-297. (LAW/PER)

Sachdev, Paul. Unlocking the Adoption Files. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1989. (C,362.734,S121,89-36233)

Wegar, Katarina. Adoption, Identity, and Kinship: the Debate Over Sealed Birth Records. New Haven, CT: Yale Univ. Press, 1997. (C,362.734,W411,97-12184)

Last Updated: January 20, 2022