girl born 9/28/51 @ Salvation Army Booth Medical Center/adoption done at the Cradle

With the help of an Angel, I found out that my mother's birth name was Vinell and the birth mother's surname was Vinell. The spelling might be a little different.

Has anyone helped you find your mother's family? I'm a search angel in IL and would help if you are still in need.

I did get the report from the Cradle. I will provide this info to you and we are still trying to locate my mother's half brother. Same birth mother, different birth father. We also are still trying to identify her birth mother and father and see if they are still alive? Background history report: We are now in touch with our mother's birth sister, Susan and growing a great connection with.Merri’s birthmother was 22-years-old when she gave birth to Merri. She stood 5 feet 7 inches tall and normally weighed between 135 and 140 pounds. She had light brown hair and gray-green eyes with a fair skin tone. She completed two and a half years of high school at which time she married. She was an average student. She was employed as a Waitress and had previously been employed in factory work.Merri’s birthmother was from the Middle Western United States. Her religion was Roman Catholic and she was of Italian descent. She was divorced and had 4 year old son at the time of Merri’s birth. Her son lived with his father and she had not seen him for a few years. At that time, he had reddish brown hair and blue eyes with a fair complexion. She told of unhappy marital experiences and explained she gave her son to her husband to parent when he threatened to take him away from her if she did not return to him.Merri’s birthmother’s mother was 60 years old at the time of Merri’s birth. She stood 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 170 pounds. She had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. She was a homemaker.Merri’s birthmother’s father was deceased at the age of 58. He was described as short and stocky. He had brown hair and brown eyes. He had been employed as a Bricklayer.Merri’s birthmother’s parents were both born in Italy. They were married in Italy and had their first two children there before immigrating to the United States and having three more children. Merri’s birthmother was the middle child. Her 27 year old brother stood 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighed about 160 pounds. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes with a dark complexion. He completed two years of high school, was married, and owned a cab. Her 30 year old sister stood 5 feet 4 inches and weighed 140 pounds. She had dark brown hair and brown eyes with a dark complexion. She was married and completed her second or third year of high school. Her 19 year old sister stood 5 feet tall and weighed 110 pounds. She had dark brown hair and brown eyes with a dark complexion. She was married and completed three years of high school. Her 16 year old sister stood 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 130 pounds. She had light brown hair and blue-gray eyes with a fair complexion. She was in her third year of high school.Merri’s birthfather did not have direct contact with The Cradle and was not involved while the plans were being made for your adoption. Your birthmother provided information about him, including his name.Merri’s birthfather was 35-years-old when she was born. He stood 5 feet tall 9 inches tall and weighed about 150 pounds. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes with a dark skin tone. His education level is not known. He was employed as a Crane Operator for a construction company.Merri’s birthfather was of German descent.Merri’s birthmother reported she met Merri’s birthfather in late November 1950 when he became a frequent customer at the restaurant where she was employed as a waitress. They began dating New Year’s Eve. Although she did not know Merri’s birthfather well, she felt she loved him as he was older and more understanding than her first husband. She shared that Merri’s birthfather talked of their marriage in the future. When she told him of her pregnancy in February, she felt that he was pleased; however she had not seen or heard from him since. She thought perhaps he was traveling for work, which he did at times, which was why she had not heard from him.Merri’s birthmother’s mother was aware of the pregnancy, but had no part in Merri’s decision making process.Merri’s birthmother was referred to The Cradle after Merri’s birth by the Women’s Service Division of the Family Service Bureau. Merri’s birthmother believed adoption was the best plan for Merri. She felt she was not in a position to parent at that time and shared she could not support a baby.According to our records, Merri was born on September 28, 1951 at 11:10pm at The Salvation Army Booth Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Labor lasted 16 hours 15 minutes and was described as easy. No drugs were administered during labor. Forceps were not applied during delivery. Merri was a full term baby. She weighed 7 pounds and measured 20ݼ inches long. Merri’s birthmother named her Bonnie Lee.Merri came to The Cradle Nursery on October 8, 1951 where the nurses named her Valerie. She stayed at The Cradle for 52 days and gained 3 pounds 3 ounces.Merri joined her adoptive family on November 29, 1951.Merri’s adoption was finalized on September 3, 1952.Merri’s birthmother was in good health. This was her second pregnancy. There were no infections during this pregnancy. She reported the birth of her first child was normal. Merri’s birthmother denied a family history of chronic disease, tuberculosis, asthma, eczema and hay fever. Merri’s birthmother and birth grandmother had diabetes. She reported her first child started walking at about 10 months and began saying words at 1 year.The health and health history of Merri’s birthfather and his family is not known.Merri’s birthmother returned to The Cradle in late 1952 to make a plan of adoption as she was pregnant again and due the following month. Merri and this child, a girl, share the same birthfather.In 1997, Merri’s sister contacted The Cradle and requested information about her birth family background. Basic non-identifying social and medical information was provided to her at that time. It does not appear she is aware of any other children born by her birthmother.

Merris birthmother was referred to The Cradle after MerriҒs birth by the Womens Service Division of the Family Service Bureau. MerriҒs birthmother believed adoption was the best plan for Merri. She felt she was not in a position to parent at that time and shared she could not support a baby. :cheer:

My heart is beating fast. I have found her birth sister. How do you know this. Do you know more?? We are now searching for her half brother, and her birth parents if they are still alive and any other birth family.

What made your heart beat fast? All I see posted is a quote from what you got from the Cradle. Who is that reply from? I clicked the link and it goes to Amazon. Something seems strange to me.

Thanks Candy, I see what you mean with the link. Yes something does seem a little strange with that. We have the Cradle doing further research.

The birth mother's surname is Frances Vinelli.

Aimeejoy1 - did you ever request her original birth certificate? It would have where Frances Vinelli was born and her age at the time of your mother's birth. Do you have that information? (sorry, I do see she was 22) I prefer using my email - it's easier than this forum. If you'd like to contact me that way just mention adoption.com or something so I know it's you! LOL candyeigenbrod@gmail.com

This should be her and her parents and a sister and brother on the 1930 census. I'll see what else I can find. name: Frances Vinelli event: Census event date: 1930 event place: Chicago (Districts 1001-1250), Cook, Illinois gender: Female age: 1 marital status: Single race: White birthplace: Illinois estimated birth year: 1929 immigration year: relationship to head of household: Daughter father's birthplace: Italy mother's birthplace: Italy enumeration district number: 1128 family number: 213 sheet number and letter: 12A line number: 31 nara publication: T626, roll 464 film number: 2340199 digital folder number: 4584265 image number: 00969 Household Gender Age parent Joseph Vinelli M 41 parent Theresa Vinelli F 41 Anna Vinelli F 9 Domenic Vinelli M 8 Frances Vinelli F 1

OMG thank you so much!!!!!! I sent this to Nina at the Cradle who is about to start a basic search!!! Now my heart is officially beating fast!!!!

Candy you are amazing!!! Truly an angel to care to help me!!!! By the way. The medical board is doing an investigation of the Doctor in charge of my mother at Mountain Vista, who caused her life and death battle, ultimately her tragic wrongful death!!! This ALL HELPS ME SO MUCH!! IN MY PERSONAL BATTLE WITH HER DEATH, OUR LOSS, HER LOSS!!!

Candy I found an Ana Vinelli who lives in Italy on Facebook, OMG I think this may be my mother's birth Aunt. I sent a message and included all the info I have thus far. I anxiously await a reply. I am looking further as well.

From the birth report it appears though, there was a total of 5 children. Frances Vinelli was one of them, so she would have 4 siblings. ??

I hope you find some family - I have not found anything more, but have been busy with other searches - and life in general! LOL I also hope you get some peace about your mother's death.