Advertisements
I am 34 years old and was adopted when I was 4 months old. I have non-identifying information which is actually quite informative about my family. After a trip to my birth city, I believe I was very close to finding my birth family, but I don't feel that I could do this on my own. This was almost 10 years ago. I have since gone on the registry to see if anyone might try to reach me with no luck. I have decided at this point, a lot of hang-ups I have psychologically might be put to rest if I just had information and could meet some family. Could you please tell me how to go about a search? I paid an agency at one point to search for me and never heard from them again. Does anyone know what the South Carolina laws are now?
Thanks,
Carol
Like
Share
Carol:
I share a similar situtation. I was adopted not quite 2 months after my birth (very fortunate!) back in the lates 1960's. The Children's Buearu (Now DSS) handled my adoption, so non-ID info was readily available and quite insightful. I'm gald you have your's, that's the best start. Mine had lots of clues, such as the name of my birthmom's hometown was very short (3-4 letters at most). Several such towns exist in the lower part of SC. Be aware that SC law back in the late '60's (now?) disallowed placement in neighboring counties to the birth family, so that may help you to cross off a couple counties if you know where your B-mom lived.
SC law still requires closed records.
I've spent alot of time in librarys digging into clues found in my non-ID concerning former occupations, agricultural references, public school records, etc. I was able to aquire a list of hospitals, schools, etc that operated in SC back in my birth year. State agencies were willing to help after a nice request & explaination that I was simply looking for a "long lost family member". I was trying to narrow down my search geographically. I even got a map of SC, marking those towns where the clues most likely matched & my have been where my Birth families resided. Interesting stuff, but worthless without a name to search for!
I'm concerned about your search agency's failure to deliver after payment. I finally contacted a searcher, but it was mutally understood ffrom the 1st that pmt would occur only after my B-Mom was found. I've heard back once for a clarification, but I imagine this may take awhile.
Pour over that non-ID, looking for any clues (For instance, mine stated that my birthmom worked with tobacco for awhile, so I suspect she lived in the Pee Dee region of SC)
I'd recommend you to check out books on adaoption searches at your local library. "Birthright" my Jean A.S. Strauss is good, and really helps you understand how people affected my a search (adopted family, friends, and eventually you birthfamily) think & view things). A real eye opener.
Good luck in your search.
Advertisements
Thank you so much for your reply! I have done much the same as you, as there was only one bookstore in Beaufort during the time that I was born that my mother could have worked in. The problem is... my birth father was in service, and my birth mother may have lived in another country, but I have not had been able to figure that out yet. I know at one point they were both out of the country for awhile. On both sides, my family were heavily involved in service. I finally was able to contact the bookstore (it is still there after all these years!) and got the name of someone who supposedly "would know anyone who worked there then" and called their house. When I called I got what sounded like a maid and I explained why I was calling and that I would call back at a certain time. She sounded very positive that this person would be able to help me. When I called back at the time I mentioned, someone picked up the phone and hung it back up. At that point, I figured I was onto something and it kind of freaked me out. I have not made anymore attempts since then. I am at a loss to figure out my feelings in this matter. On one hand I feel I have every right to find out my history, if not only my medical history, but on the other hand I question my right to totally disrupt someone elses life... what an emotionally devastating thing to have the baby you gave up 34 years ago suddenly show up on your doorstep after you have completely started a new life! I am so confused! But, I think I have finally come to terms with it. I am not looking for love or acceptance, I just feel I have right to know and I need to fill this void. Also, my daughter is missing a lot of information of her own and one day may like to have the information I am too afraid find.
Thank you very much for your tips! I believe I may be renewing my search this summer.
Carol