Adoptees
The number of adopted persons in the United States is estimated to be between six and ten million. The one thing all adopted persons share in common is that somewhere, some time, a decision was made that was intended to be in their "best interest." Whether infant or older child, domestic or international, stepparent, relative, or "stranger" adoption, that "best interest" was present.
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As the adoption community becomes more visible and more vocal, the entire institution of adoption has changed and is changing in response to the experiences of today's adult adoptees.
- Late discovery adoptees (LDAs), those who learned of their adoptions at older ages, have taught a crucial lesson about the importance of telling young adoptees about their having been adopted;
- transracial and transcultural adoptees have taught equally important lessons about the need for cultural awareness and support within the family;
- adults who were adopted as older children have made us aware of the importance of sibling and other relationships with the birthfamily.
And the list goes on
Many of today's adult adopted persons grew up during a time when issues were not discussed, and in some cases, not even acknowledged. Issues commonly addressed by today's adoptive parents and adoption professionals, such as identity, attachment, and challenging histories, were often taboo. As secrets and silence have fallen by the wayside (not only in adoption but in society in general), adult adopted persons are coming together to compare lives, seek support and guidance, and more generally seek acknowledgement of their experiences.
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Visitor Comments
(63)
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mary
- 2 months ago
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I am 60 years old, adopted through Catholic Charities (Buffalo) in 1952. I reside in NY state and as you know NYS does not often open adoption records. I was very fortunate to have wonderful "parents" but have always felt like I had a broken identity. I know that I have 4 older biological siblings that I would love to meet. I was born 7/6/52 in the Rochester/Buffalo area. Please petition NYS to open these records so that adoptees such as myslef can find peace. Thank you so much Mary
#1
Pamela
- 1 week ago
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I am almost 50 years old 2/17/1964 and reside in Aiken, South Carolina. I was born in Miami Fla at the Miami Beach Hospital which i believe is no longer there. I think my father worked at the Dade County Sheriffs dept and when i sent a picture of myself requesting a list of staff from 1964 no one replied or would return my phone calls. The Sherriff had been there for some 40 years at that time...i was about 35 at the time of the request. Unfortunately my mother was having an affair with him and he supposedly went back to his wife. I don't want to cause the family harm so would like to keep it confidential, otherwise he may have ended up divorced anyway. God Bless you all that understand a piece of our heart is missing.
#2
Penny
- 4 weeks ago
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I'm almost 62 yrs old. I was adopted in Los Angeles, California in the summer of 1951. My adoptive parents are both deceased and I was hoping that I could find some help/support.I'm hoping to find out medical history. My oldest was born w/cleft lip and we were told 40% were heriditary and now that he's having children of his own he wonders if there is a history on my side. I would love to know more about my birth parents and if I have any siblings but my main reason is to see about getting medical history. I know that they may be deceased but hoping there will be other contact informatin that would help. I know California is a closed records state but after helping two young women who gave up their babies for adoption, I see how important it is for that type of information to be available to the new family. If anyone has any insight on this type of situation please let me know. God Bless you all who have adopted and treasured that process like my adoptive parents did.
#3
Nancy
- 4 weeks ago
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I was adopted at the age of three months. My adoptive parents told me that at such a young age that I've always known it. They tried VERY hard to be good parents but they had two biological sons and although I was a good girl, I just was never good enough.
ALWAYS been that void in my life and as I get older, I wonder if my biological mother is still alive. I am 58 and very petite.
Blessings to all of us who have that "void". I never tried to contact her because I didn't want to interrupt her life. If you see this, Mother, thank you! 1-16-55, Seattle, WA.
#4
cynthia
- 4 weeks ago
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I am looking for my sister born crystal may drouillard on July 14,1993 in butte county California she was taken by the state (she was a few months old up on her detiontion) birth mom lost all rights to the child and state placed child for adoption...we don't know if her foster family adopted her or if another family did...she would be 20 now and we would like to have the oppertunity to know her if possible...I to was adopted(at birth) my adoptive mother was really good to me and she new and had a relationship with are birth mother Loretta drouillard...we also have 2 biological brothers so please if any one knows anything at all please contact me....xxxxx...thank u
#5
Jenn
- 1 month ago
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Hi, my name is Jenn and I'm trying to help my son find his half-brother. My son's half-brother was born on March 10,1995, he is 18 now. He was born in Somers Point New Jersey at Shore Memorial Hospital. His birth name is Trainor Dustin Murray. He was adopted through a private lawyer I think. His Birth parents names are Joseph K. Mascio and Kathryn Murray. His adopted first name is Alex. His adopted parents, all I know is that his adopted dad was/is in a wheelchair. We ran into them once at the Hammonton Mall in Mays Landing New Jersey when he was about one year of age in 1996.
#6
Liz
- 1 week ago
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SEARCHING FOR MY BIRTH PARENTS
I was born April 16, 1983 at Georgetown Hospital in Washington,DC
I was adopted at 8 weeks through Catholic Charities in DC
My mother was 16 and a soph in high school and had brown eyes and light brown hair,was 5'2 and 100lb
My father was a senior in high school and was 5'8
Both of them were Catholic
PLEASE EMAIL ME IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION FOR ME
*xxxx*
#7
mike
- 2 weeks ago
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I just turned 50 yrs old. I hhave a wonderful family. but i was adopted in 1963 born on jan 27 in west islip ny at good samaritan hospital. my name was kevin warren. I DONT WANT ANY FINANCIAL GAINS I just want to know where i come from who I look like. I'm quite an acomplished musician. I just need to fill in some empty spots. Please this is my right to know where i come from. Thanks Mike
#8
Ruth
- 3 months ago
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I've been looking for my birthfamily. I often wonder if anyone is looking for me. I'm born in 1973 in Syracuse Ny. I got a call from someone last year, looking for someone with the same birthdate as mine. The non identifing information didn't add up. which I feel some of it could be a little off. My birthmother was labanese and english, catholic. Which I find a little strange. She was a nurse by the age of 20. I was the secound birth, the first was still born. The adoptiong was final in 1974.
#9
peggy xxxx
- 2 months ago
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I am searching for my adopted brother he was born 1/11/1960 at the Florence Crittenton home in Sioux city Iowa he was adopted out at birth in woodbury county/Sioux city iowa so he may of lived there his name at birth was Chuck DuBois your birth mother was 16 at the time of your birth her name was Carolyn Lee DuBois she was still in high school she was from Des Moines Iowa I want you to know you have a family that love you and will never give up looking for you if any of this info sounds familiar you can contact me on face book peggie kimmel or I have a facebook page searching for adoptees
#10
Carlene
- 1 month ago
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I was born 6-27-1956 in Arlington Va. Placed for adoption at the Children's Home Society in Richmond Va.
Looking for my biological parents or half bother's or Sisters. Not sure if my parents were married.
My birth name prior to adoption was Darlene Bennett. I was given to wonderful parents that lived in
Norfolk Va.
#11
Jennifer
- 3 months ago
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Hello I was adopted, My name is Jennifer I was born in Hollywood,Florida on 1/8/1972 at Hollywood Memorial Hospital. I found my birth mother in 1998. Her name was Cathy LaFontaine when I was born. Unfortunately, she does not remember my bio fathers name. If there is a man out there who may be my father, kindly contact me at xxxx I have had medical problems and it would be very helpful if I knew the medical background of my fathers side, not to mention I would love to meet him..
#12
Jill
- 2 weeks ago
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I registered on this site in June 2011 to locate my son, who was put up for adoption 43 years ago. He and his wife located me through this site last month and we have a reunion planned for the first week of August 2013.
#13
Mary Louise
- 2 months ago
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I am looking for information on my Birth Mother, her name is Margaret Louise Paseka. She was a minor at the time of my birth, 16 or 17. She would be about 83 now.
I was born February 22, 1946. My adoption was completed 12/24/1947 through Catholic Charities of Sioux City, IA. My bith name was Bernita Paseka.
#14
Gerri
- 2 months ago
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Looking for a baby girl that was born around Vincennes,Indiana, or Possibly born in New york, Both birth parents initials (T.T and D.R)(both wer in college) were from Indiana. Baby girl was born 7/10/1991. Her half brother seeks to meet her one day, or at least talk to her. Baby girl is half hispanic . Thank you
#15
andre
- 2 months ago
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looking for jennifer marie hill or francisco in mansura la i was told i was your son my adopted parents willnt tell me the true and i am looking for you until the day i die i am in houston tx and my uncle told me where you are dont worry i will find you soooooon
#16
Amanda
- 3 months ago
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My Boyfriend and I have been together for several years. He was been the father to my daughter since she was two weeks old. Biological father is not in the picture and also isn't on the birth certificate. We do not wish to get married, not that we do not love each other we just have seen what marriage has done to our parents who have been married several times and they end terribly. We wish to change her last name and also have him legally adopt her. Does any one know where to start with this besides calling a lawyer? We are located in New Mexico.
#17
tracy
- 3 weeks ago
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I am a birth mother looking for a female born in Melbourne Florida. Dob 2/3/1992. Birth name was Chrissy but may be named Ashley.
#18
Janet
- 3 months ago
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I FOUND HER!I After years of looking...I saw a free-trial on ancestry.com. Why not, it's free. I typed in her name and looked at a few. There was a high school picture of her and I knew right then that I had finally found her because it looked just like me with a 50s hairstyle! I saw there were other people who searched her family so I went to their page and left them a message. I received a phone call from her cousin the very next day. I have 4 halfbros and 1 halfsister. I'm still reeling! I can't believe how easy it was. I've been looking for 20plus yrs, but I was looking in the state I was born. I broadened my search to Idaho and thats when I found her,so I suggest that you need to step back and think out of the box. Good luck to you all!
#19
Rhiannon
- 2 months ago
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I am looking for my sister that was born May 20, 1985. She was born in Arizona. I'm wanting to finally get in touch with her after all these years. She is in need of some information that has gone on in our family since she was born. Don't know how to go about this so any help will help me.
#20
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