Access to adoption records

I was adopted at six weeks old in 1962. I went through the proper channels to find out who my birth mother was in 1989.

One of the questions I was asked by the social worker who counselled me was what did I want to do with the information. I answered honestly that I did not know, but might know once I had some information.

At the time I decided not to take it forward, not because of any unpleasantness but more because I did not have the drive or motivation then.

Fast forward 2020 and I received a letter from a social worker. I had been found! The youngest sibling had started a search. I learnt my birth mother was still alive and I have three younger siblings. She kept the middle two children and the youngest was also given up for adoption. I have made efforts to meet her through my sister but she is not inclined to want to reciprocate. She also refuses to talk in any detail about of the situations leading to both adoptions. In fact although the middle two siblings were aware of the youngest child being adopted they were completely in the dark about me.

From what she has said it is safe to assume my father is not the father of the middle two siblings but could possibly be the father of the youngest. I've met all of my siblings but not all together. My sister admitted they are not a close family and she also took an instant dislike to the youngest sibling, so doesn't want to meet up with him again.
We chat occasionally via email or text but I think it will fizzle out of its own accord.

I have found it all rather tiresome if I'm honest, having been used to being (and continue to be) very close to my adoptive family.

All this talk of Ancestry.com has however piqued my interest about sending in my DNA!

Good luck Grayling1 with the rest of your search. Perhaps get in touch with Long Lost Family yourself and see if they will take you on? I imagine there are many more searches they do that are never televised.

Thank you for your responses to my post. It really was interesting to hear other experiences. Life was really hard back in the late 40's and early 50's and I think adoption was thought to be a good option for the child and I was so fortunate to get the "best Mum and Dad" in the world but for some it wasn't so good. My availabilty for "adoption or boarding out" was advertised in a local newspaper and if boarded out an allowance would be made!!!

It always puzzled me why folks want to trace their birth parents. My husband was adopted as a child ,and our son and daughter where both adopted. Neither my Husband ,or our son and daughter were interested in their birth parents. They were told the facts... End of.

puzzled me as to how you found this thread from back in july!

I found the thread because of its title. Can't understand what you are puzzled about.

Fidelity2

It always puzzled me why folks want to trace their birth parents. My husband was adopted as a child ,and our son and daughter where both adopted. Neither my Husband ,or our son and daughter were interested in their birth parents. They were told the facts... End of.

Plenty of adopted children find their birth parents without their adoptive parents being aware.

Quote ...Plenty of adopted children find their birth parents without their parents being aware.
How did you aquire this information

My DH was adopted at 4 months old in 1959 when his mum was only 17. We went through the proper channels and we found his birth mother. Sadly she died in 1995 but she married and went on to have 5 children. It was a surprise to discover that she married a Ghanaian and he has a half brother and four sisters all of ethnic origin. We have met them all.
No one could say who my DH birth father was but one name was mentioned. My DH joined Ancestry and did a DNA test and found his birth father who had also died a few years ago. He has 3 half brothers on that side too. It turned out to be the name that was mentioned. He hasn't contacted those brothers though.
If you were born before 1975 you had to be the one to contact the adoption agency.
Nicky Campbell and Davina McCall will have to go through similar procedures with adoptions but will probably have special permission in accessing records.
Good luck in your searching Grayling1.

Hello.. I am only here to say one thing. My husband's ex partner had a son who was adopted when she was 15. My husband later met and settled with the partner and then the then adult son found her in the late 80s, Although I won't go into details on a public forum the fallout from the adopted son's return was both shocking and horrific. It cost my husband his relationship with his ex partner and ultimately his health. Please please OP tread very very carefully.