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Hello everyone,
I am writing to ask for some input, possibly some input from birth mothers who were located by their children whom they put up for adoption.
I have been searching off and on for ten+ years. I received non-identifying info when I was about 18 years old. About 7 years ago I reapplied for the information and added my name to my provincial post-adoption registry (Alberta, Canada). The law in Alberta recently changed, allowing the release of identifying names of birth parents.
Without going into it too much, of course it was exciting and anxious to read my Mom's own story of why she was agreeing to give me up. They blocked out names of grandparents, and Dad on most forms, though one form did have my Mom's declaration of whom the father was.
Just a story about my search, so I can give some advice to those who are searching, I referenced the address she had with some diretory searches I had done earlier in my search, and my conclusion of whom I believed my grandparents were. I was completely wrong. Here's how it went:
My adoption info said my Mom's dad was a janitory and her Mom was a sales clerk at a retail store. I made a guess that my Mom might have named me after her father, given that I was born in 1970, and a teenage pregnancy might not have been welcome by her Dad. So I found a John Campbell (My birth name was Michael Jonathan Campbell) who was a caretaker at an elementary school, and it listed his wife as a part-time sales clerk at a dept. store. I was convinced this was him.
No such luck. My Mom's info listed her street address, and when I cross-referenced it with the directories, I found that my grandfather's name was Kenneth Campbell.
I went a little further, and I find that K. Campbell still lives at the same address in Calgary, the city where I was born. So I can probably say for certain that this is my grandfather. I still have not found my birthmom, but I could probably write to her through that address.
Here are my concerns. I have been listed with the post-adoption registry for some time now, and as well on my websites. My mom has never searched for me. I checked the paper classifieds for every year since my birth around my birthday, and there's been no ad looking for me. I figure she's not looking for me, and perhaps doesn't want to look for me. Which then leads me to conclude that she doesn't want to be found.
I am worried that contacting her will just disturb her life. She says in the adoption papers that not too many people know about me, so perhaps she tried to keep it that way.
I don't know what to do. Also, perhaps she is not alive, and writing to her at that address will cause grief to my "grandfather".
Anyone have any ideas? I am excited, but concerned at causing more grief than my satisifaction is worth.
Cory
Hi Cory,
I too would run and get a paper every year on my birthday, always hoping that someone was looking for me. When I found my bmom, I asked her if she had ever tried searching for me. Her reply was "NO". She was told that if she ever contacted me that it would ruin my life. That was the last thing she would want to do. So, keep your mind open and follow your heart anything is possible!!
Good Luck!
Tink
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Hi Cory,
A birthmom here. a found birthmom, a very happily found bmom.
I never looked, yet I posted.. I didn't have to look, as I kept in touch with the agency... for 26 years, had the papers for consent signed..when he was 18... But told not to start the search until he was older... if he hadn't by then.... My story is told thru my early posts under my name, sajofo.
My hubby put my son's birthstone in my mothers ring.
I missed him terribly... but felt I had to give him his own life too.. I never hid the fact.... even tho my family encouraged me to move on..... I have a wonderful reunion... not as much as I want.. but my son knows he can have as much of me and family as he wants.
Read some reunion books. go to the library, and prepare your self.. At first my son only wanted info... oh it hurt to think it might not mean meeting. I am still not emotionally fine... it does take a toll on oneself.... but, nothing, nothing would have kept me away. I was on cloud nine from when I got my first call from social worker.... maybe there is an intermediary- or pastor- or someone who could make the first call- or letter... Maybe your request can be for med info. and to say your fine...
Please, for you and your parents. make the attempt.
in most cases it will work out..... and have a friend to fall back on.... it is an emotional rollercoaster.
God bless your journey.. :)
sajofo
I am bmum who never searched either but want to assure you that just because a bmum doesn't search it doesn't mean that she wouldn't be happy to be found. My son searched for me for 5 years but I found him by accident as he had put my details on a website and it was sheer chance that I went on it. I don't regret finding him though.
Pip :)
My daughter found me after a long search. I never searched for her or put my name out there. Didn't know I could or how to. I'm very glad she found me. I always thought about her and wondered how she was. We are doing good.
Chris
Hi Chrismh.
I am an adult adoptee (age 38).
I just found out a couple yrs ago, by mistake, that I was adopted. My amom has never said anything and doesn't know that I know. I have received the "unidentified" information, but not much more than that.
I have been to this site off and on ever since I found out. I recently joined, to post, hoping someone would read and recognize something. I was just curious to know how your daughter found you if you never had any information out there?
Thanks
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Christy, thanks for asking. I believe she asked her parents about the adoption. They told her where it took place. And started there. Her dad also remembered two last names, her brother was also adopted.
Oh. Well, my amom doesn't know I know, and I've not talked to any family members, I can trust not to tell her, about it.
Thanks for letting me know and congratulations to you and your daughter!!
I'm a birthmom who was not going to search! Not because I didn't want to know, but because I didn't want to intrude in his life, afraid he wouldn't want me there.
Well, for my 40 year old crisis I decided to look anyway, found him and now we have contact. It's great! I'm glad I did.
I guess what I'm saying is that just because she hasn't posted anything anywhere or put anything in a newspaper doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't want to know you!
Good luck.