outsider...sort of

I know how you feel. I'm 22 and just started by search for my birth mother. So far I've been told that registering for [url=http://www.isrr.net]ISRR - International Soundex Reunion Registry - FREE[/url] is a good place to start as well as registering with your state (states have adoption registries that you can add yourself to). Other than that I've joined 2 yahoo groups so far for adoptees and am looking for a support group in my area. I wish you the best of luck in your search and you're more than welcome to message, IM, etc. anytime.

check out this blog[url=http://victoriajoan.wordpress.com/]Living The Dash[/url]I think you might enjoy it.she young like you and reunited. Maybe you can relate to her.

u should try [url=http://www.reunion.com]Search People, Find Classmates, Find Friends, People Search - Reunion.com[/url] that how i found my nsibs. um mine was a closed adoption. It been a yr since then so i'm 19 now AIM me at- imaniravon - for any ?s u should find my posts on here.

I'm a couple years older than you & have been reunited, but I can certainly understand where you are right now. Prior to searching I had no medical history whatsoever and it turns out most of the other information I had been given was flat out wrong. I would be glad to converse with you on the boards or via PM if you would prefer.

I just wanted to say that you might be able to locate birth side through Adoption search finders. Mine was closed adoption as well..no information except physical description, and medical history. No name, no nothing. My adoptive mom helped me, but she knew someone in adoption search finders. It was 9 yrs ago..but I filled out paperwork from adoption search finders, notarized it, and then they found her for me. I don't know how they did it, but they were accurate..and found her within 2wks. Not sure if thats still around or not. I hope that helps you.

nice post. I read the blog Living The Dash and wanted to cry.

How was it meeting your birthparents?

Hey there. I too had a closed adoption and I'm a little older than you. I'm 31 but I remember what it felt like to not have any information on my bio family. When I was your age I was really just beginning to deal with the abandonment issues that I had and I was just beginning to identify the fact that I really wanted to find my bio mother because of medical reasons. One thing that I'ld like to suggest to you when you're reading posts here is to look for the similarities not the differences. It's so easy to think that we are unique and that no one can possibly understand what we're going through, but if we can find just one similarity sometimes it makes us feel less alone. Like I said before, I do know where you're coming from because I've been there. Our stories may be a little different but I bet a lot of our feelings about the stories are the same. If you want to talk feel free to send me a messege

Katie - I'm not in your age group, but I feel that (as women) I'm still that same girl I was back then, with the same issues and longings. I only had the adoption agency name to go by, my hospital and date of birth, that's it. I found out on the agency's website that I was entitled to "non-identifying" information from them and they sent it right away. I found out a LOT!! Two single spaced typed pages worth!! If you happen to know what hospital you were born in, write to them asking for your birth records for medical reasons. There is also a piece of paper called the "final decree of adoption" that was issued to your adoptive parents where your name was changed and the adoption finalized. When I sent away for my "final decree", I got my birthmother's maiden name right off it!! I was thrilled! And that was all I needed to proceed. On the hospital records they too failed to white out her identifying information and I even found out her entire name, first and last, and her known address at the time!! So, all this is to say, even if you were involved in a "closed" adoption, it doesn't mean that the semi-unconscious people that send you your paperwork will be smart enough to white out the pertinent information YOU NEED!!! It could happen to you too! Check out every book from the library on searching, every website you have time to look at. ISSR is a good registry as is any one in the state you were born in. I was born in NYC - and if I can find my parents (both) in a city that large, I think anyone can!! You can also be creative in the way you deal with the agency by asking questions that can get more info out of them than they are allowed to give. I asked my social worker at the agency if my Father's name was "trendy or traditional" and she said, "hmmm....It could be a presidential name..." which led me to find out my Father's first name! It NEVER hurts to ask. Then I was able to cross-reference him on Classmates with the year I figured he graduated, based on the info from the non-identifying information the agency sent. I agree with the other post where she mentioned that it's important to find similarities with other adoptees and build on that. You can learn SO much here and other sites and become more prepared than if you go it alone. It's also helpful to have a friend support you so you're able to share stuff as it comes up. I'm 44 next month and I wish i had searched at 23 - I would've figured out alot of things about myself which I think would've helped in my parenting my own kids. I was 35, with a 2 and 5 year old! Those poor kids had to deal with a "checked out" Mom for a while as I dealt with the emotions of search and reunion. The outcome was very, very good and I'm happy I went thru with it while everyone was still alive and well! Much success, Susan Lee:cheer:

I'd like to talk to you if you're still searching for your bparents. I can't make this site bring up your information so I can't even see your birthdate. You're about the same age as my daughter and I too have little to no information other than what I was involved in and that was the birth. I know about her birth because I was there. The rest of it was so hidden from me that it's just plain wrong. You can find me on Facebook. Just type in Kellie Walls Sharpe and you'll find me. I hope to talk to you soon.Kellie

I'm 22 years old. Was placed for adoption at birth and was adopted at almost 4 months by my parents. I had a closed adoption and recently reunited. I would love to talk with you more if you would like. Its nice to be able to open up to others with similar experiences and backgrounds. You're welcome to message me anytime you like. You are not alone. :) :) magz

You most definitely are not alone. I'm a couple years younger than you (20 in a day). I had a semi-closed adoption but it was basically a closed adoption with my amom knowing some stuff and I had one picture. But I totally understand your feelings of being alone. I feel everywhere I look everyone is talking about adoption but there are no other adoptees except on this site (and my sister too!). My amom even sent me to an adoption group when I was younger but they were all international adoptees whereas I was born right in the same city where I lived - I even felt like an outsider there. If you ever want to talk feel free to drop me a message. Last year I got in touch with my bmom. She contacted me so there wasn't a lot of searching but I think google and facebook should pay me for all the "creeping" I do. And let me tell you, trust your instincts. I often stumble across names, have this feeling that they are the one and then they turn out to be relatives! Trust yourself and know that you are not alone. Take care. <3

I am 27 and will be 28 on May 12th. I am very blessed to have the family that I have. My parents (adoptive) gave me a wonderful life. I know very little about my birth family. I do know that my birth parents were older and that my birth mother didn't have any prenatal care. I do know that I have two older siblings. I do not know if she kept them or gave them up for adoption as well. I was born in Lee County Florida which is where I grew up. My birth mother hid her pregnancy. That is the hardest part is that she had to hide the fact that I was pregnant. Know one understands how I feel. I am so thankful for the fact that my birth mother gave me the chance to become the woman that I am today. I am scared of what I will find. I do want to find my siblings and to know if they were also adopted and if not why me. Its hard to explain to people how I feel but a part of me is missing. I would like to find closer. I wish you all the best in your search. Know that you are not alone in how you feel.

My Name Is Ashley I Was Born At The Name Of Kira On 03/21/1989 In Dallas,tx I Was Adopted Through An Agency Called Hope Cottage. I Have One Picture Of My Mother Her Name Is Odrey She Is Caucasian W/ Long Hair At The Time Anyways. My Father Is African American He Had A Son At The Time Whom Is Older Then Me I Would Like To Contact My Biological Family, Really Dont Care What The Outcome Is Just Would Like Some Closure.

I would go to the agency. They will tell you what you have to do. If the adoption was semi-open at one time than contact is implied and they will try to find her or give you info. Come back adn update so we know what happens [url=http://www.ehow.com/how_4796373_open-adoption-records-texas.html]How to Open Adoption Records in Texas | eHow.com[/url] Good luck. I hope you find your peace.